Arizona was led by talented sophomore Derrick Williams who led the Cats with 22 points and 10 rebounds on just 11 shots. He was 9-9 from the FT line and 1-1 from three.  Lamont Jones scored 18 points as well to back Derrick and Zona.

Many NBA Draft experts predict Williams will be the #1 pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.

The Tigers controlled most of the first half after jumping out to an early 10-1 lead.  They then battled back to tie the game and take the lead after Arizona came out strong to start the second half.

Memphis hung tough after early foul trouble put prized big man Tarik Black and defensive specialist Chris Crawford on the bench.

Antonio Barton, the less heralded of the Barton brothers, led a balanced offensive attack from the Tigers with 17 points, including two 3-pointers.  His older brother Will added 12.  Wesley Witherspoon and Joe Jackson both finished with 10 points.

Memphis’ sole senior Will Coleman played one of his best games of the year scoring 9 points and grabbing 9 rebounds.

Arizona won the game at the free throw line making 84% of their free throws (26-31).

Arizona – Memphis Box Score

The Wildcats will play Texas on Sunday with the winning advancing to the Sweet 16.

Local Memphis product Tarik Black decided on Sunday to play his college basketball for the University of Memphis Tigers according to Memphis Roar.

Black, ranked #47 by Rivals, adds to a recruiting class for the Tigers that was already considered the #1 2010 class in the country after Atlanta native Jelan Kendrick’s (Rivals #8) surprise commitment over the weekend.

The pair joins Joe Jackson (Rivals #12), Will Barton (#11), Chris Crawford (Rivals #67), Hippolyte Tsafack (top 200), and Antonio Barton (top 200)

Some recruiting experts are calling it, not only the #1 class of 2010, but one of the top recruiting classes of all-time as well.

Rivals Top 150 College Prospects for 2010