Vegas Bets on the Cats

FinHeaven - Gambling Corner 2006: "ARIZONA -6.5 over BYU
The Wildcats are sneaky good. This is a sleeper team for 2006, with Mike Stoops in charge. He is a very good head coach. Arizona is young while BYU has some experience, but BYU did suspend their starting DB for this game and something about Arizona just intrigues me. I think Arizona at home will win here and make a splash."

BasketCats Ready to Tip it Off

The Wildcats head to the Great White North on a preseason swing that should foster much togetherness for the guys. Though some players will be left behind (Ivan didn't get his visa in time, while Fendi and Jawann nurse some nagging injuries) the games should be quite competitive. Unique idea - divide the squad into 2 - 5-man teams and let them play 5 minute rotations.

But heck, we do have the Great White Hope, if this blurb from a Canadian "eh?" paper is to be believed:

The big game, however, will see the University of Arizona Wildcats, with legendary coach Lute Olsen, take on the Clan at 7 p.m., Sunday.

Cats a Team to Watch

We've known that for a long time, but now some writers on the national scene are noticing, too. But really, Willie T. will take us to more than 2 bowl games in his next three years. Bet on it.

3 Days to Figure it Out

Only three more days 'til the Cats kick off the 2006 football season, and it can't happen soon enough. With rumors that the UA is ready to open up the offense more this season, the fans could be in for a big bang for their sports buck. Winning will be the yardstick by which this team is measured. As nice as loyal Wildcat fans are, we are desperate for a drink from the winners' fountain.
When it comes to beating BYU, stopping the run could be the key to victory. (Along with a solid performance from the special teams) Forcing John Beck to pass into our awesome secondary would be a dream come true. Heck, we'll be picking off passes like it's Jeff Van Raphorst tossing them. Of course, BYU has some defensive questions of their own. How about starting two freshman on the D-Line? Brilliant!
Talk about depth -- Stoops has 5 Star JC recruit Louis Holmes on the pine to start the season. Look for him to be rotated in quickly, though.

Go Cats!

Basket Cats to the Great White North

The men's basketball team has started practice for its trip to Canada next week. This should be a great "getting to know you" session for the team, and will let Chase and Nic get a taste of basketball Wildcat-style. No word yet if the games will be on TV.

Top Golfer Signs with UA

Coach Greg Allen reloads with yet another top-ranked (3rd nationally) lady golfer. And he snuck Esther Choe right out of Scottsdale! Notice that Tempe Normal didn't even make her final list.

Always Something University in QB Quandry

Tempe Normal is having an identity crisis at the quarterback position, and it couldn't have come at a better time. I mean, come on, just a week away from opening kickoff (against NAU - hehe)...how sweet is that? If Jerk Koetter changes his mind one more time I hope he decides to replace the whole starting lineup with Moon Valley players. Sam Keller will be better off in Nebraska, thermal underwear or not.

BYU has work to do

Ups and downs apparent at Scrimmage, says this story about the Cougs scrimmage last Saturday. Interesting note - whereas the Cats opened their final full scrimmage to all fans and the press. BYU only allowed their elite Booster Club to attend. See if you can see any fans in this picture.

Ode to Tomey

Here's a nice article about ex-Cat coach Dick Tomey, now trying to rebuild the program at San Jose State. Do you think if he had gotten us to the Rose Bowl at least once that he'd still be here??

Hang time no hang-up

One of those Tucson connections, walk-on punter Kyle McQuown, is making his bid for first-string punter. Could it be that our kicking game will be an asset this year??

Home Boys

I can recall a few Tucson prepsters who played for the Cats, and played well. Jim Krohn, Vance Johnson, David Adams come to mind. Never, though, do I remember seven local players on the roster at the same time. That's what we have now. And not a token Rudy among them.

Wow!!

UCS College Football picks the Cats 8th in the nation - and first in the PAC10. 10-2 overall? I'll take it!

Sorry, Sparky. You come in at number 40.

Two TDs for Tuitama in UA's first scrimmage of camp

The Cats held their first full scrimmage game last night, in front of 1500 football-starved fans. Highlights for both the offense and defense, with lots of new faces contributing.

20 more days.....BYU.

Bad Sparky

Well, there won't be any problem trying to tell the Kru(e)gers apart this season for Tempe Normal. After Kevin Kruger transferred to UNLV to play for daddy, Bryson Krueger went one-up (and more) on Hassan Adams and got himself 86'd from the team. Ecstacy, Xanax, cocaine, and an illegal handgun will do that to you, buddy.

Situation - Normal in Tempe.

Bye bye Reggie

It's been fun, Reggie, but it's time to move on. And up, into the pro ranks. Congratulations on the move, Mr. Geary, and thanks for all the memories.

Walk-On U

Just like undrafted Mike Bell is making an impact at the Denver Broncos training camp, the Wildcats could fill his shoes with ..... a walkon. Chris Jennings could turn out to be a real star. That just doesn't happen in college football, folks.

More Hometown Connections

Let's not forget the two former Sabino Sabrecats, Glyndon Bolasky and Brooks Reed. Both turned down offers from ASwho, a testament to their intelligence and good taste.
Is it kickoff time yet? This should be the start of a crazy wild ride.

Borg to be Wild

The O-Line is full of such unsung heroes that I nearly forgot we have a local prepster ready to step up and protect the Big Willie. Daniel Borg was a star at Ironwood Hills and should continue to thrive for Stoops.

Wildcats a tough sell

At least that's what the New Mexico Lobos think as they try to bolster their football and basketball schedules.

The Wildcats remain a tough sell thanks to coach Lute Olsen's disdain for Lobos fans following a series of Pit games during the Dave Bliss era when Olsen was convinced referees swallowed their whistles in Albuquerque.

Besides, we left the WAC years ago.

Ex-Cat Bell gets starting position

Just like we thought. Mike Bell scales the depth chart of the Denver Broncos and will start at tailback (for now). Not bad for a walk-on. Catch him against the Cardinals Aug. 31.

Say What?

Here are some Quotes from UA football Media Day, just to wet your whistle.

Is it game time yet?

Basketcats to take on the Clan

The UA gets some nice press from our northern neighbor (Canada, not Tempe) as the Northwest tour takes shape. And tickets are only ten bucks for this game!

Holmes, sweet Holmes

Louis Holmes has cleared all his academic hurdles and reported to the Wildcats training camp yesterday. To hear him talk, it wasn't news to him.

"I knew it was coming. I had been working pretty hard."

Six foot six, two-seventy. Sounds like one whole side of the line to me.

Quick...get your tickets now. 28 days 'til kick-off.

The Return of the King!

Of course I'm talking about the Wildcat football program and it's emotional and passionate leader Coach Stoops. No longer can we be called a "basketball school with a football problem," and don't you just love it that Tempe Normal is marking time with their Idaho coach? Sparky does truly suck.

Mike Bell a hit with the Broncos

He might have gone undrafted, but he's not going unnoticed at the Denver Broncos training camp. Mike Bell is being given a chance to show why he's the Wildcat's fourth all-time leading rusher and he's making the most of it. Nice little video, too.

Fight, Wildcats, Fight!

The pulse quickens

Yes, it's finally time. Time to get pumped for Opening Night, Sept. 2, vs. BYU. Stoops and the troops have arrived and are getting fitted for their pads and helmets. I was thinking back to the Meet the Team scrimmage last year, remembering how big those guys were then, and I hope they ordered up enough Wildcat-size unis for this team!

In case you're wondering, here's the practice schedule. Please - no cameras.

Is there are Rudy in the house? Or maybe another Chuck Cecil?

What about Holmes and Long? Let's concentrate on the guys that did show up.

Scum Devils worry about the Cats. Keep Dirk!

It's just beginning, fans...