SALT LAKE CITY (Ticker) -- After gaining the top seed in the West Region for the fifth time, Arizona begins its NCAA Tournament run Thursday against overmatched 16th seed Vermont in the first round.

Arizona (25-3) is 10-4 as a top seed, reaching the Final Four in 1998. The Wildcats were the second-seeded team in the Midwest two years ago when they advanced to the national championship game.

The Wildcats had a 10-game winning streak snapped in the quarterfinals of the Pac-10 Conference tournament with a 96-89 overtime loss to UCLA. Jason Gardner had a miserable game, misfiring on 18-of-20 shots and scoring six points.

Rick Anderson and Channing Frye each scored 23 points and Salim Stoudamire added 17 for Arizona, which has been shredded on defense the last two games. The Wildcats shot just 29 percent after halftime against UCLA.

Arizona's strength lies in its remarkable balance as all five starters score in double figures. While Gardner is the leading scorer, Frye's post presence is critical and he is the team's leading rebounder at 7.7 per game.

The Wildcats have won five of their last six first-round games and never have faced Vermont. They are 3-0 all-time against America East opponents, including an 85-71 victory over Boston University on December 30.

Vermont (21-11) is making the first NCAA Tournament appearance in school history after earning the America East crown with a dramatic 56-55 victory over Boston University. David Hehn's jumper with five seconds to go was the game-winner.

The Catamounts lost America East Player of the Year T.J. Sorrentine to an ankle injury before the season, but Taylor Coppenrath picked up the slack. Coppenrath averaged 15.4 points and 10.2 rebounds to earn conference Player of the Year honors.

Vermont coach Tom Brennan is in his 17th season and should enjoy the experience of his first NCAA berth. He also runs a morning radio show that has been known to beat out Howard Stern in the local ratings.

The winner faces Cincinnati or Gonzaga on Saturday in the second round.