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John McCain picks Arizona to win 2017 NCAA Tournament

By Alex Butler
Sen John McCain (R-AZ) speaks alongside a group of bipartisan senators during a press conference on arming the Ukrainians against Russia, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on February 5, 2015. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI.
1 of 3 | Sen John McCain (R-AZ) speaks alongside a group of bipartisan senators during a press conference on arming the Ukrainians against Russia, on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on February 5, 2015. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI. | License Photo

March 16 (UPI) -- He has learned a few things while serving the state of Arizona for nearly 30 years as a senator.

One of the lessons John McCain remembers is not to pick against his constituents. So when TMZ Sports asked the 80-year-old republican who he picked to win the 2017 NCAA Mens' Division I Basketball Tournament, McCain quickly said he had high hopes for the University of Arizona.

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"Watching the U of A in the tournament," McCain told TMZ. "They are gonna go all the way in the tournament."

McCain began his tenure as a senator in 1987. He was asked if he ever goes against the Wildcats.

"It depends on whether you want to be reelected or not," McCain told TMZ. "We have an excellent team this year. Last year I was bold enough not to pick my own state, but this year we've gotta shot at it."

Arizona, a No. 2 seed, takes on No. 15 North Dakota State at 9:50 p.m. Thursday at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City.

But McCain is no detached onlooker. He has been integral to the Wildcats' success. He helped 7-foot freshman Lauri Markkanen get from Finland to Tucson.

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"He was having trouble with his Visa, and he went to our office and we helped out with the Visa," McCain told ESPN's Andy Katz. "So therefore, any success I will take full credit for. It's classic, huh?"

"There was some delay in getting him a Visa," McCain told Katz. "Obviously he had to have a student Visa, and there was some question about whether he was actually a student or not in Finland and with the US Embassy providing him the Visa."

"I'd like to tell ya it was the hardest struggle I ever had, and it was the toughest thing. But actually we just waited and said 'hey, how about expediting this through?'."

"It was not quite as big of deal as I would like it to be."

Markkanen averaged 15.6 points and 7.1 rebounds this season.

McCain said Wildcats coach Sean Miller thanked him for his aid. The Senator has UCLA losing to Arizona in the National Championship.

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