Krivas' Dominant Defense Propels Arizona

0:00On March 23, Motia just creep us, Arizona's 7-foot-2, 260-pound center, has turned into a dominant defensive force this season. In his junior year, he's blocked 69 shots overall, tying for seventh in school history. During the first two games of the NCAA tournament, he swatted seven shots, matching the event lead. Opponents have struggled against him, missing half their layups when he's on the floor. Crevice averages 3.1 blocks per 40 minutes, grabs 8.1 defensive rebounds per 40, and boasts a defensive rating of 92.8, ranking 15th nationally. Coach Tommy Lloyd calls him a game-changer with great instincts and mobility for his size. Crevice alters shots without fouling much, keeping teams off balance. Lloyd brought in former Gonzaga star Przemic Karnowski as a mentor, who held to refine Crevice's positioning and shot contesting. Karnowski's guidance has cut Crevice's foul rate each year, down to 4.2 per 40 minutes this season.

1:04In the second round-win, Crevice posted 11 points, 14 rebounds, 3 blocks, and 2 assists, a rare tournament stat line for Arizona, matched only once before in 1997. His presence keeps the Wildcat strong as they push deeper.