Don't Call Me Iggy

Andre Iguodala was back in town for the Elite skills camp, reminding us toCall Me a Superstar. We only wish we could have seen him for 2 more years alongside Hot Sauce.

Laval rocks

More on the Wildcats' latest recruit- Powers' Lucas-Perry accepts offer to play basketball with Arizona

Pointing the Way

Point Guard U just picked up another one - guard Laval Lucas-Perry of Flint, Mich. gave a verbal commitment today to UA. And a GPA of 3.2 to boot!
Jerryd who?

All Willie, All the Time

Wildcat football is on the map again, and the nation's press is taking notice. I pity the fool who hasn't gotten his tickets yet.

Even In July The Cats have a Must Win Game

The season-opener against BYU looms on the horizon less than two months away and many are calling it a make-or-break game. I'm not so sure about that, but I will be there, rooting the team on and checking out the trombone section with the binocs.

Recruits making the grade

According to this Pac-10 Recruiting Report, Stoops is doing a bang-up job on the recruiting trail. And it looks like the 5Star JC recruits are cutting it in class, too. If you didn't happen to catch the "In My Own Words" special on FSN last night, you missed some terrific insight into the mind and mindset of coach Stoops. Helluva show.

Tough as Nails

That's what they're calling AZ Wildcat Ivan Radenovic as he suits up for the Serbia-Montenegro team in the FIBA World Championships.

"That's my character. I put my head where many wouldn't put their leg. That is how I want to play for our national team. I'll give my heart for 'Blues', I'll do my best."

You got that right.

Mr. Renege

Greg Hansen's got it right on this one - Some recruits have honor, some don't. What a waste of energy and resources to recruit what will probably be a "single-season" college player.
Shame on you, Jerryd Bayless. You've missed out on Lute's first lesson of life - honor yourself and be true to your word.

Congratulations, Champions

The UA Women's Softball team finally overcame themselves and their psyches and took the trophy last night in OK City. With Alicia Hollowell taking home MVP honors and fast-as-lightning speed on the bases, the Cats completed an amazing turnaround at the end of the season and silenced all critics.

Way to go, Cats!

Northwestern Widlcats that is

Wildcats muddle up their big chance

Cats and Vols for the Finals

The Wildcat softball team is locked in a battle with Tennessee for a berth in the WS Finals against surprising Northwestern. UA lost the first game earlier today, but is currently leading 5-zip in the loser-goes-home game on right now. Just 8 outs to go.....

Candrea changes his approach -- and manages to spark the Wildcats on this amazing run.
Corky takes on the NCAA -- and the way it turns a deaf ear and blind eye at the problems facing college baseball these days. Who can blame the kids for going for the $$$?
Kovalcheck heads to Vanderbilt -- Ex-Arizona quarterback Richard Kovalcheck is transferring to Vanderbilt and will be eligible to play immediately. Whether he will or not is a different story.
Go Cats! Final - 6-zip.

Football Schedule Revisions

Here's a head's up for all you Cat Backers -

UA-ASU football date now Saturday
Staff and wire reports
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 06.03.2006

Arizona's home football game against Arizona State this fall will be played on a Saturday for the first time since 1999.
The UA announced Friday that the Nov. 25 game would be nationally televised by Fox Sports Net with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. In the last six years, the rivalry game has been played Friday afternoon, the day after Thanksgiving.
The UA also announced Friday that the season opener against Brigham Young on Sept. 2 in Tucson would be nationally televised by TBS with a 7:15 p.m. start.
The new 12-game schedule and the Pac-10 full round-robin, in which all league teams play all others every year, was part of the move for the ASU game, the UA said.

More AZ on YouTube....and More

Earlier I showed you the 1988 "Wild About the Cats" video. I guess it doesn't stop there. Check out these other videos on YouTube, Cat-style:

Wildcat Dunks
1988 "Time of My Life" video
2004 Football Highlights
1997 NCAA Hoops Highlights

Beautiful, Man....

A New Windmiller

Wilbur and family would like to welcome into this world baby Ace Shane Daigle, born to Jennie Finch and Casey Diagle. Jennie didn't look half-bad pregnant, either. (OWW - sorry, Wilma)

Wild about the Cats

Hee's a blast from the past - Arizona Wildcats college basketball rap! I just wish I could find a way to save this video. Check out a younger Wilbur at the start of the video....I was a little thinner then.

Kindall's spot just a matter of time

Kindall's spot just a matter of time, but he didn't make the cut for the first class inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame.

Marcus Makes Us Happy

Arizona’s Marcus Williams returning for sophomore season, and you could hear the collective sigh of relief from AZ fans all the way to Academy Village. Free picture of FRANK Williams in this article. More here.

Tough to say goodbye to football's best play North County Times - North San Diego and Southwest Riverside County News - NCTimes.com - Californian.com

Maybe the refs needed to shake their heads because their eyes were stuck

Injuries, NBA draft alter trip plans

The combo of injuries and the upcoming NBA draft have doomed the UA's planned trip to Europe this spring. Eight players remain available for the trip, not enough for a competitive trip. A possible September foray into Vancouver BC could help to make it up to the kids.

Injuries, NBA draft alter trip plans

The combo of injuries and the upcoming NBA draft have doomed the UA's planned trip to Europe this spring. Eight players remain available for the trip, not enough for a competitive trip. A possible September foray into Vancouver BC could help to make it up to the kids.

Wilbur, wherefore art thou, Wilbur?

Just taking some time off to tend to matters around the Cat Den here. Wilma and KaceyKat have been putting in a lawn in the back yard, so the whole family is invited over to roll in the grass with us. That's gotta feel good. Much to catch up on in the Wildcat Nation, so here goes:

PAC10 Hoops race 2006-07 in a spin -- With so many players entering the NBA draft (with or without an agent), no clear cut favorite emerges. If Shakur and Williams leave Lute's lair, the Cats could drop back to the middle of the PAC again next season. Come on, freshmen....

Batcats take series -- not a sweep yet, but they did finish off Stanford today. Post-season hopes are still fading, though, as the Cats are below .500 for the season (17-20) and in league play (5-7). Nice new park, though.

Spring football over, now wait until fall -- From all indications we're in for a much better season in '06 than we've witnessed in quite awhile. Over 8000 showing up for yesterday's scrimmage? Amazing. Some other facts here. Stoops doesn't see the players enjoying their summer on the beach, either.

Former Wildcat wideout gains hero status -- "Angels of Death has a real-life hero, Jay Dobyns, a towering, former star receiver for the University of Arizona Wildcats, who joined the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms in search of excitement." New book out about the Hell's Angels crime network stars one of our own.


Louis Holmes watch -- he's still talking like he'll suit up in the fall.

Fiesta Bowl Classic gets a makeover -- Memphis will be the only team to make it to McKale for the basketball classic. We've had enough of the lower seeded teams, anyway. There was no suspense who would play in the final, was there?

Greg Hansen has a good column again today -- Of interest is the news that Lou Campanelli is stepping down as supervisor of PAC10 hoops refs. (clap)(clap)

B-Dub.........always a character

Matt Othick played in 106 winning basketball games at Arizona from 1989 to 1992, a point guard and three-point shooter of note from Las Vegas who was part of three Pac-10 championship teams.
He has since become a successful investor in Las Vegas and Del Mar, Calif., and is now part of a Hollywood group that is developing a movie based on the life of the late Brian Williams, a UA and NBA power forward who played high school and college basketball with Othick.
Insomnia Entertainment, a firm headed by UA grad Trent Othick, Matt's brother, is working with ex-UA basketball manager Kevin Porter on the script. Porter was Williams' former manager and confidant. Matt Othick describes the project as something similar to "The Talented Mr. Ripley" or "Dead Calm."
More immediate, Trent Othick's first major film, "Standing Still," will be released nationally this week, beginning in Tucson theaters Friday. It is a "Big Chill" type film with a 21st century theme, and includes actress Mena Suvari.
"Standing Still" premiered last week in Hollywood. The Othick brothers attended, as did Othick's UA teammate Sean Rooks.
"I still see a lot of Steve Kerr, Jud Buechler and Kevin Flanagan every summer," said Othick, who remains close friends with his UA backcourt partner, Tucson attorney Matt Muehlebach.
"I had a wonderful time in Tucson," said Othick, whose mother lives here. "My only regret was our play during the NCAA tournament. We really should have won at least one national title while I was there." Opinion from Greg Hanson

Othick is developing film of Williams' life | www.azstarnet.com ®

Opinion by Greg Hansen < Here's a movie I might have to go see. B-Dub was certainly a character and should be remembered as a member of Lute's legions.

Life After Basketball

Now that the Final Four is fading, and all monies have been paid out to the bracket winnders, our thoughts turn to other news in and around the UA. Spring football is underway, baseball and softball are in full swing, and Wilbur has some tidbits he's found along the way.

Football penalty reduced -- Good news bad news for Stoops troops. Scholarships will be reduced by 3, not 4, but the penalty is extended. I bet we barely notice.
Something we will notice -- a rise in ticket prices after exemptions end. Those of us in the south endzone seem safe, though. Unless they start charging us for the footballs we toss out of Arizona Stadium onto 6th Street.
Second scrimmage -- the second spring scrimmage is today. Too bad Wilbur's on call or he'd be there!
Budingermania hits town -- long before Chase himself arrives. Let the kid at least find a place to stay....
Mike Bibby -- takes a look at what might have been. I just wish we could have kept him for more than 2 years.
Baseball -- loses.
Softball -- wins. Hollowell is back.
Stepping out of the Twilight Zone -- that's how Roz views the attitude towards next season.
J.P. Prince headed to Europe -- with the rest of the team for their tour. He's not planning a transfer.
Preseason #12?? -- that's where some folks put Lute's team next year. That would be something.

Bear Down.

After the Final Flop

Better late than never, but the Final Four was anything but a hit. After 2 weeks of OT's, buzzer-beaters, and upsets, this past weekend was a sorry shadow of the first rounds. Not only that, but the bRuins cost me $110 in the family bracket challenge. And to think I was actually rooting for them.

Tempe gets a "dream hire" for hoops coach -- if you listen to this guy. Parting is such sweet sorrow.
Tucson's take on Sendek? -- Dullsville.
The Central California Connection -- with UA football.
Free Willie -- Willie T goes to QB school during the off-season. First test is Sept. 2 vs. BYU.
Lute explains remarks -- when he dissed UDub for their easy non-conference (and HOME) schedule, he just was assuring everyone that by talking about future schedules he's not going anywhere soon.
Batcats drub Devils -- chase those little boogers all over Chase Field.
High wire act? -- that's how to describe the hoops team if Darrell Arthur joins Chase Budinger in next year's class.

I would have used my Mr. Chip Up

Bobcat attacks golfer, is beaten to death with 7-irons

Poor golf etiquette

Remind me not to play 18 when this guy is on the same course. Warning: slow play ahead.

Final Four weekend

Arizona's not in Indy, but either are any of the #1 seeds in this year's tourney. How about that? There's still plenty of things to catch up on, though.

• Mike Bibby recalls the glory days along with other NBA stars.
• Wildcat grid squad might have found a punter.  Kyle McQuown comes via Salpointe HS and Idaho State.
• Chase Budinger, one of Lute's recruits, makes the Parade All-American team.
• Willie Tuitama makes the list of Rising Stars in Sporting News.
• Tempe Normal not looking at a big-time coach to take over the _Oops program.  Rick Majerus couldn't find a hotel room he liked.  Yeah, you can feel the Huskies and Wildcats shakin' in their high-tops, can't ya?

Big Dance to get bigger?

College coaches are working on a plan to make the field of 65 into a field of 70 or more. That'll make sitting on the proverbial Bubble a little easier, eh? A better solution would be for those marginal teams to try a little harder instead of watering down the field.

Fake Chicago University scored Final Four Tickets

One way to get tickets to the Final Four is to start a fake university and ask the NCAA for your allotment of tickets to the Big Dance.  Now accepting applications to Wilbur U.

East Coast Bias lives on

Thanks to the refs in the UW/UConn game last night, we see that the West Coast still gets little respect. Congratulations to Romar and his team for handling the loss with class.

And you thought your coach was tough....

This from Texas:

A Conroe school district coach is on leave while officials investigate
claims that he forced a student athlete to defecate into a bag and
urinate into a cup, KPRC Local 2 reported.

That was one long bus ride for everyone.

Who's your daddy....the Pac 10

from the News Observer

Lute not taking it easy on next year's schedule

Even though Washington scheduled 10 of its first 11 games at home (losing number 11 to AZ, btw) and got a higher seed than the Wildcats, Lute is still sticking to his time-proven plan of scheduling tough pre-season opponents. Heck, he doesn't even care if they're on the road. He is second-guessing the committee on their seedings, though, and wondering if maybe he shouldn't schedule Our Sisters of the Prickly Pear and Budweiser State to inflate the record come tourney time. Nahhhhh....

But Olson's core philosophy in scheduling remains, so the Wildcats will host North Carolina, Memphis, Houston, UNLV and possibly Iona at McKale, while facing Illinois in Phoenix next season, according to UA administrative aide Jack Murphy. On the road, Murphy said, Arizona will face Virginia, San Diego State and possibly Villanova.

One thing's for sure. Ticket sales shouldn't drop off. And don't forget that team bonding trip to Europe planned for late May.

• O is for Over, which is the condition of Florida's streak of failures.
  The Gators, entering this tournament, had lost on the opening weekend
  to lower-seeded teams for five straight years. That is a record of
  futility they now share with Illinois (1986-90) and Arizona (1989-93). Welcome to the club, Donovan.
• Shakur, Williams might evaluate draft status. Think Jason Gardner....Jason Terry.....Chris Rodgers...(well, 2 out of 3 ain't bad)
• Just watched that cat that fell 80 feet and got right up again. Gives hope for next season.
  

Cats Save Their Finest for Philly

In the end, it came down to 3-pointers. Arizona matched Nova basket for basket (28), freethrow for freethrow (17), but Villanova made 4 more 3-point shots. Just enough to give the Nova Cats a win over the Zona Cats. We did get a glimpse of the potential of what should have been this year, and got hope for next season. And we did beat the spread, which was 6-1/2 points going in. I hope Lute's got a shooter in next year's class.

• Perennial powers Kentucky and Arizona exit this year's tourney.
• But so do North Carolina, Ohio State (goodbye "Big" 10), and Pittsburgh.
• On Fire: Arizona. The Wildcats lost, but you won't find many fans upset with coach Lute Olson or his talented team.
• A look at parity in college ball.  I'm a believer now.
• We kicked their butts in the stats.  Except those 3-pointers.

Well done, Cats. 

More stories

1. Brett Brielmaier living the dream.
2. Hot Sauce fires up after a week off.
3. Arizona avoids meltdown.
4. Homeboy Shakur.
5. Must-see TV. Highest rated tourney since 1997.
6. Go PAC10! UCLA and Washington advance to Sweet 16.
   

Cancel the autopsy. Arizona isn't dead yet.

Cats find right mix

UA puts together complete game vs. Wisconsin

I just keep finding great articles about The Cats' rise from the ashes, Pheonix(sic) style

When Wildcats show up, they can beat anyone

Some folks have noticed that the Cats have turned the corner......or a corner, anyway.

Come out, come out wherever you are. Arizona fans can finally be proud
of this year's edition of the Wildcats and once again show their faces
in public.

Git R Done!

Cats get ready for Nova Cats

The Cats (the Arizona Wildcats, that is) look forward to tomorrow's matchup against the #1 seed Villanova. Maybe this team just hates being a favorite and loves being the underdog. We'll see.

• Did you make your picks based on mascots?  Here's the inside scoop....
• Stoops (remember football?) loses 4 scholarships for next season.  Now that's a difficult choice.
• Wildcat Women win in NCAA Women's tourney....whaaat??
• Shakur proves you can go home again.
• These Cats are dogs.  I think he means that it a nice way.
• Tourney notebook.
  

Philadelphia Kid

Mustafa Shakur went from playground rat to Point Guard U. Read the story here.

No March Sadness for Cats

Who the heck were those guys with the UA jerseys on today? This was the type of game we've been starved for all year. Smiling, laughing, and running away from the Badgers, the Wildcats finally started enjoying the game and playing like there IS a tomorrow. Even Billy Packer had good things to say about Zona as they hit the ground running and never looked back, leaving the Cheeseheads in their dust.  Ahhh - Philadelphia freedom at last.

• "Our fans came here with expectations," `Nova forward Will Sheridan said. "Their fans came here with hope. It's a lot more fun when you're just hoping your team does well."  Yep, and underdog fans throughout the brackets are feeling the love this tourney.  Great match-ups, NCAA, no matter what Nance and Packer have to say.
• "(Shakur) reached back for those first moments on the playground at 10th and Olney and pulled out the spin move that so many of his friends remember him by."  Classic move, classy guy that Staph.  I'll bet he knows a good cheesesteak when he sees one, too.
• "The thing we didn't want to happen happened," UW coach Bo Ryan said. "You can't play from behind. It's very difficult. . . . That was our worst nightmare."  As a Cat fan, it was a dream!
• "Don't tell Nova it was an ugly win."  Okay....we'll let them in our little secret on Sunday.  But how many of us picked the  AZCats to advance to the Sweet 16, or even into the Round of 32?
• "At long last, talented Arizona plays up to its potential."  And gives Lute yet another 20-win season.
• Check it out.....Wilbur made it to the big time world of blogshares and trading.  Stock is rising, IPO to be announced soon.
• Standings after first round games in the Family Bracket Pool:
• Wilbur and Swister Meeney tied for first
• Three ringers from Wilbur's workplace take next 3 spots
• Sparky running a strong 6th.
• 'Nova fails to cover spread (20 points?  Get real) and loses fans against Monmouth.  Monmouth?

What  A  Tourney!!!

Day 1 and Done

And what a day it was. 4 underdogs pulled off the first-round upsets, with 12-seed Montana and Texas A&M leading the way. Some fantastic comebacks by the big boys (Tennessee, Gonzaga, BC) had Wilma pacing around the pad here all day. She'll need her sleep to make it through today.
OOh! Wilbur and Mike's bracket picks lead the way after the first day of play. And, no, I didn't revise any picks as the games went on. Just dumb luck carried me through the day.

• Follow Bob Barker's Bracket here, along with some other celebs here.
  
• News from the Cheeseheads.  Some Philly first-round tidbits, including Lute not getting his car.
• Shedding labels and Hassan Adams.

Good luck, everyone.

I'd trade two Kirk's and an Isiah for one Butch

From the Madison The Capital Times

More unusual tourney stats here

Breaking down March Madness into numbers I can understand, including how many times Bill Raftery will say "...and the kiss."

Top ten first round upsets in the past ten years. AZ nowhere to be found in this list.

Are you part of the problem?

The problem is the $3.8 billion lost in American worker productivity during March Madness.. Hey. It doesn't feel non-productive, man.....plus I got a few bucks riding on it.

Ready or not....

...here we go!  Picks are made, pools are filled, now we can just sit back and watch non-stop college b'ball for awhile.  Wilma is in heaven.

• Cats expecting fewer calls to be made in the "let 'em play" tourney.
  

• Best and worst case scenarios for tourney teams.  Check out Villanova's: "Scud-shooting Villanova is booted before it ever gets to leave Philadelphia by season-long underachiever Arizona. Home crowd does what it does best, booing 'Nova off the floor."

• Badgers?  We don't need to steenking Badgers!  UA and the cheeseheads stumble into the tourney, almost mirror images of each other.  Tony Bennett chimes in here.
  
• Ouch!  This guy really knows how to hurt someone. (1/2 way down page - Minn. bracket)

• Now this guy thinks we can make some noise.  If we show up, that is.  "Another traditional power that has struggled this year, Lute Olson's bunch is seeded eighth in Minneapolis.  While there's been little to indicate Arizona can put together a sustained run, the return to action of wing Hassan Adams -- who was suspended for the Pac-10 tournament -- gives the Wildcats a chance to push Villanova in the second round; that is, if Arizona manages to get by the more local Wisconsin Badgers in Round One."

• Cats accused of living in the past.  Make that 1997, please.

Let's get busy.

Sampson's past will keep him away from Tempe

Violations likely to keep Sampson away from ASU, like they thought they had a chance. Silly Sun Devils.

Can't make up your mind who to pick?

Here's a random bracket generator. This way you can blame it on someone else when your team goes down in flames!

Another bracket contest

The Official NBA Dance Team Bracket. Vote early and often.
Isn't this a fun year?

Cal-Berkley hoopster pranked by UCLA students.

Gabe Pruitt thought he had a hot date lined up last weekend at the PAC10 tourney. See, he'd been chatting online with a UCLA co-ed, Victoria. Turns out, though, that "she" was really a large section of the UCLA student body who had intercepted his messages and set him up.
Priceless.

Check out these bRACKets

If looking at the field of 64 is blurring your vision, rest your eyes by filling out these bRACKets. Additional research encouraged.

On to the Tourney

Well, the Cats managed to keep their nation's longest string of 22 straight tourney appearances intact.  Hassan Adams just might be enough to take them to the second round, probably against Nova.  And Lute's schedule mastery likely paid off, at least for this year.  Who really likes quality losses, anyway?

• Sour grapes from the Northwest.  Get over it, Ducks and Beavs.  Enjoy the NIT.
• Comparing apples to apples, Wildcats to Badgers.
• Philly is hometown to Mustafa Shakur and Wisconsin coach Bo Ryan.  Cheesesteak, anyone?
• Did anybody else catch Billy Packer's slip-of-the-tongue Sunday when he mentioned the AZ/Wisconsin game one bracket too early?
• Tips for winning the pool.  If you need them, that is.
• Cats earn #8 seed the hard way.  They backed into it.
  

NCAA Bracketology

Here's your first cheat sheet for the NCAA tourney. Read it. Learn it. Live it. Send in your money.

Now we'll have to worry about other issues than the spread or whether we can sneak in our peanuts and red vines

FBI warns of possible NCAA tourney threat

Cats cowtow to bRuins

A lack of physicalability (bangability, bruiseability, toughability) caused the Cats to come up short against Ucla last night. It just took too long to adjust to the style of play - "letting them play," as the refs say - and the absence of Hot Sauce spelled doom from the start. Still, we did manage to cut the deficit to 12 by game's end. Little consolation, and look for the Cats to be wearing the road reds in all tourney games. Did I say all?? How far do YOU have them going in your brackets?

• Batcats visit Mississippi State, play grateful guests.
• "And there's also the excitement of disrobing old ghosts like Arizona." Let them gloat while they can.
• Bobby Knight finishes under .500 for the first time in 35 years. Sounds like a perfect fit for Tempe.
• Lute keeps his cool during game, heard muttering "Good Grief!" "My Word!" Still no match for Ryan Radke's "For crying in the middle of the night!"
  
• Fisher-Matlock Final Four Tourney invitations going out soon. Watch out for Sweeney - he's been laid up after his RCT surgery and thinks he has a lock on all the teams.
  

It's Been Real, It's Been Fun...

...and it's been Real Fun. But the days of UA beating up on Rob Evans and his stellar Scum Devil teams have come to an end. Face it - Lute got him fired because his advertising revenues dropped off after Bill Fritter left. Who's next?? Who cares.
Oh, please pick Steve Lavin. Pleeease....

Stanford chopped down, bRuins next on the block

The AZ Wildcat basketball team found a way to beat Stanford yesterday, despite having to leave Hassan Adams at home. Other players picked up his slack (but not his bar tab), and put the game away by shooting 80% from the freethrow line. 23 of 28 in the second half alone?? We could have beat Washington with percentages like that. Tonight, settle in to watch the Cats go for their first win of the year over Ucla, and keep their nation-leading streak of 20-win seasons alive, too. This would make 19 seasons with 20 wins or more. How spoiled are we?
Git R Done, Cats!

• Hot Sauce maxes out his cellphone calling plan in order to amp the Cats up. Can they hear him today?
• Walk-on steps it up, logging 25 crucial minutes in yesterday's game. Thanks, Bret...er, Brent...er, Brett, .....er,...Rudy.
• Ducks beat Dawgs, so Cats will miss possible grudge match against UDub. Pity.
• Stanford bows out gracefully, heads back to the Bay.
  

It's PAC10 Tourney time, it's PAC10 Tourney time (Name that tune)

The Cats limp into the league tourney minus their leading scorer (Hassan Adams - DUI) and missing that swagger we all know and love. It's gotten so bad that Stanford is getting most of the press for our game against the Cardinal on Thursday. Game time is 1:30pm, so plan on taking a late lunch.

• Cats aren't the only bluebloods that have no-showed this year. It really is the Year of the Dog.
• First tip for the Matlock Final Four Pool, brought to you by Wilbur - a little history about seed-by-seed matchups in the past. And speaking of March Madness, watch your e-mail for your invite for the Pool. If you want to be included, and don't happen to be related to a Matlock, leave a comment and we'll be glad to take your money, too.
• Cats RPI drops to 24th, 41st in Sagarin. Still feeling good about getting in? Tempe comes in at 145 in the Sagarin poll, six spots behind those mighty Lumberjacks of NAU. Bye, Rob. Oh - add Rick Majerus to the list of Sundevil coach wannabes. Better stock the First Aid station on the floor level.
• Hey. The softball team continues to win and is ranked #1. Wonder if they can shoot 3-pointers as well as no-hitters?
  
• Don't forget Wildcat golf. And isn't it time for another Matlock Match Play event?

Bear down - and bear with us.

Hot Sauce Hammered - then Nailed

Hassan Adams, leading scorer for the Cats and an All-PAC10 pick, has been suspended for the PAC10 tourney following his DUI last weekend. Hey, I was a little upset after we blew another lead and lost to Washington, but I didn't feel the urge to party then think I could drive. He escaped any disciplinary action last December when he was arrested for disorderly conduct, but this was just a little too much for Lute to let slip by. Anyone who couldn't see this coming, raise your hand. I didn't think so.

Hot sauce HITS the sauce

Things are getting hotter than a habanero after Hassan Adams gets arrested for DUI Saturday night. Sit him down for the PAC10 tourney, coach. This is his second arrest in the past 4 months.

Cats miss the 2-minute warning

For 38 minutes, AZ looked like world-beaters against #14 Washington.  Leads of up to 13 points.  Steals and hustle everywhere.  Stingy ball-handling.  The Huskies never even got a chance to take the lead - until the end.  Two Wildcat turnovers were the undoing when holding onto the ball mattered the most.  So we get to watch another close loss, another "one that got away."  Very puzzling, though, why Adams took control of the ball and the last shot (which fell a good 3 feet short), especially with his bum wing.  Lute should have suited up the kid that won the car at halftime by sinking one from halfcourt. 

• Wait until next year?  I never thought I'd hear that again in reference to our basketball team.  Like I never thought I'd hear "Wait until football season."
  
• Baseball's 5-game win streak ends to Nebraska in DQ Classic.  Peanut Buster Parfaits for everyone, win or lose.
• Completing the trifecta, women get slapped around by Stanford.  Their season mercifully closes.
  
• North Carolina loses seven players from championship team, can still beat Duke in Durham.  I always get some satisfaction when the Dookies lose - at home, on their Senior Day.  Duke goes 0'fer the week.  hehe.
• Cats get Cardinal in PAC10 tourney opener.  Lucky us.
• Hometown press can be cruel.  Especially if you're a Seattle prep star who signed with the Cats.

Saturday - Finally!

Wilbur hopes the rest of you had a better week than he did, but the sun came up today, our son (I hesitate to call him Wilbur Jr.) is flying in for a surprise visit, and the Cats wrap up their regular season with a Red Out Senior Day game against the Huskies. Yeah - it's the weekend.

• Wildcat women break out of slump -- and break into the PAC10 tourney with a win over those angry Beavs. Beaverettes? Is anything PC when their nickname is the Beavers?
• Huskies find their groove -- but they'll be another notch in Wilbur's belt after today!
• The Red Coats are coming -- at least Lute's newly ordered one is for today's game. Put on those shades, folks, this could be tough on the eyes.
• Hot Sauce got chicken winged -- but the sore shoulder won't keep him out of his final home game as a Wildcat. Look for a Basket 'O' Buckets from Sauce.
• DQ Classic features Minnesota meltdown -- Batcats win first game of my new favorite tourney. So how come the local paper doesn't even mention the name of the tourney?

Get yer Red On!

I didn't even know there was a Dairy Queen Classic

The Wildcat baseball team is set to play in the 22nd Dairy Queen Classic in Minneapolis this weekend. This should be real Dilly!

Tempo Busters

Washington State comes in tonight, bringing their slow-down style of play and lameduck coach with them. The Cats managed to put up 70 points earlier this season against the Cougs, but let's not have a repeat of last year's home loss to these snoozers.

Greg Hansen plays "what if?" -- fun to play, but leaves that empty feeling.

How long 'til football? -- Well, the season opener is just 6 months away.

More coffee.....Bear Down....

Put a Fork in them

The signs were there early for a big Wildcat win- Sparky showing up with a football for a basketball game; Zona Zoo members camping out the night before for first dibbs on seats; Rob Evans still "coaching" asu...
Arizona totally cleaned Tempe's clock at McKale, and time may be running out for the Sun Devils' head coach. Too bad the Pep Band didn't play "Goodbye to You" as Evans left Lute and Bobbi Olson Court for what probably was the last time - unless he sells lemonade better than he sold basketball to the Valley of the Stunned.

• Cats' big wn today could help tourney chances. And ease Lute's load.
• Coach Evans' load just got bigger.
  
• Pendergraph fans the flame. Silly freshman.
• Hammerschmidt takes Hammer Time to Stanford. Ex-Cat linebacker on the fast track.

Later.

Was SC really going for a 3-Peat?

These folks don't think so, and present a good case of *gasp* media bias in perpetuating the myth.

After the regular season ended with Texas and USC both undefeated
and playing in the national championship, the media became enamored
with all things Trojan -- ignoring the fact that there was another team
on their way to the championship. ESPN ran a different segment on USC every
night on Sportscenter. Of course, the result of doing something like
that is predictable…they lost. However, even after they lost to
Texas, the media wouldn’t give up their resolve…

Curling Hits the Big Time

That can be the only explanation after the "Golden Palace.com" streaker hits the ice. Is that a chicken in your pocket or is it just that cold?

Frosh Faces

Tomorrow's game against Tempe boasts the 2 top freshmen in the PAC10. Those crazy Sun Devil fans will say anything to think they have a shot at beating the Cats.

For sure the game won't feature the top two coaches. Rather, it will emphasize again the huge gap between the level of play at the two schools. Bye, Rob.

NCAA streak motivating Arizona down the stretch

Expect a highly-motivated Arizona team to take the floor against Tempe tomorrow, as the Cats seek to extend their NCAA streak to 22 years, the nation's longest.

“We know we have to win these last three games,” center Kirk Walters said. “It’s huge. It’s sort of the tradition of Arizona basketball, and we don’t want to be the team that let this down and was the team that didn’t get the 20 wins and that berth in the NCAA tournament. We definitely want to keep that going.”

Look for the Wildcats to do just that

OUR Marcus Williams

The Wildcat freshman is opening quite a few eyes with his play this year. Include NBA eyes, as the rumblings are beginning about an early exit for Marcus. Say it isn't so!

A surprising development that has taken place over the course of the 2005-06 basketball season at Arizona is how the NBA draft stock of freshman wing Marcus Williams has shot through the roof, according to NBA sources involved in scouting and personnel. Although Williams, a 6-foot-8 scoring machine from Seattle, has never publicly declared any plans to leave school early, the buzz his play has generated as the year has worn on may make his decision a lot more complex....Ben Hansen at GOAZCATS.com

NBADraft.net | Stock Watch

Bill Fritter, anyone?

From MSNBC.com comes the question of the day:

"Q: Who’s the next coach that’s gonna get fired? Rob Evans at ASU?
— Marlene, Tempe, Ariz.
A: Probably so. He has had eight years to get competitive with rival Arizona. He has won one game against the Wildcats. Evans has taken ASU to the NCAA Tournament one time (2003).
Hard to believe, but Evans had better success at Ole Miss where he won an SEC championship before he got to Tempe.
A couple of things look apparent. He doesn’t get the good players in the state; Lute Olson does. Southern California is not a recruiting hotbed for him; neither is Texas (except for Ike Diogu).
And, his supporters would rather be outside in the Arizona warmth than inside.
Inside, by the way, is not an arena but a recreation center that could be hurting Evans’ recruiting.
Finally, this is not a good year for the Pac-10 and ASU is in last place.
If a guy can have success at Ole Miss in basketball and not at Arizona State, there is an issue with more than the coach, but firing the coach is the easier solution."

What was I drinking?

Looks like I jumped the gun a bit on the game against Tempe. Tip-off isn't until Saturday, and I apologize to anyone marveling at their great seats tomorrow when nobody else shows up.

• Not much can save Robbie Evans' job after this season, but actually thinking that Huggie Bear, Mike Montgomery, or even the General himself are lining up to replace him seems a little far-fetched to Wilbur. Just how fat are those heads up there?
• Boiling down the PAC10 race. Does anyone want to win it?
  

Tipsy Tree

Almost missed this story. I didn't see Stanford's mascot much today, and one reason might have been it couldn't get off the bar stool. Seems the little lady - you wouldn't expect any self-respecting guy to put on the needles - who served as Stanford's Tree this year was axed after showing up pickled for the Cal game last weekend. Guess she was three sheets to the limbs.

Cats Chop Down Stanford

Desperately needing a split on this road trip, Arizona came up big when it needed to today. A "back-to-form" second half gave the Cats a big W over Stanford after losing to Cal on Thursday. And since the game was on CBS, I actually got to see it in HD! Flippin' sweet. After Tempe's big win over Cal yesterday, Wednesday's game should be doozy for a change. Or not.

• Second half dooms Stanford, leaving them at a loss for words. So much for the "Ivy League of the West."
• We can dream, can't we? Nice headline.
• Nice story on Polky and Senior Day. We could have really used her this season.

Open Your Golden Gate - and Your Pocketbook

The Cats are off to the Bay Area schools, looking for at least a split of the two games. Cal tonight, then the timbers of Stanford on Saturday. Here's hoping they don't slip into that road funk and drop their 3rd road series of the season.

• Ever wonder how much it costs for one of these little trips? Your "Priority Seating" charge at work.
• Chris Rodgers makes the trip. It'll be interesting to see what kind of minutes he picks up.
• Cal rejoices in their lead over the Cats in the PAC10 standings.
• It's the inside job that's getting it done for the Cats. That's good, especially when you're the worst-shooting 3-point team in the league.
• Lute pops the bubble.
• Dickie V puts us back on the bubble.
• The everchanging linup - for AZ and for Cal.

Git R Done, Cats!

Olson Triggers Rodgers' Return

Chris Rodgers' Happy Trail led him right back to practice yesterday, bringing with him that defensive intensity the Cats have been sorely missing the past few weeks. Whether he gets in the game or rides the pine is irrelevant.

Chris Rodgers was reinstated by Arizona coach Lute Olson on Monday
after the senior guard was kicked off the team three weeks ago for
undisclosed disciplinary reasons. Rodgers started 13 of the 16 games he
played before being dismissed, averaging 10.8 points.

Overheard at the Gonzaga/Stanford game...

Student sections at basketball games are close to the teams, which encourages some pretty interesting remarks, chants, and comments to opposing players. That doesn't count the Scum Devils section (all 37 of them), of course, which reached an all-time low jeering Steve Kerr back in the 80's about his father's death, or shouts aimed at Lute about the recent death of his wife, Bobbi. The Kennel Club at Gonzaga has been overheard referencing a current movie about lonely sheepherders in Montana (filmed in Canada), giving new meaning to ASSists and putbacks.

Cats Scratch Beavers

Ivan Radenoic, the cerebral Serbian, led the Wildcats to a solid pounding of the OSU Beavers, 80-58. Looks like the Cats are back, just after we thought they'd slipped into something more comfortable - a coma. Thus, they avenged their two-game sweep by the Oregon schools on the road. Now they need to take their new-found confidence and momentum to the Bay area schools next week, as they ride the slippery slope of The Bubble.

Splash! goes Tempe -- AZ men's and women's swimming and diving teams sweep the Sun Puddles.

Gymcats win -- beating the OSU Beaverettes on the road. Final score - 195.400 to 194.925. Whew!

Softball takes two in tourney -- Alicia Hollowell (how many years of eligibility does she have?) notched her 14th no-hitter.

The NCAA rules on Instant Replay

The Rules Committee of the NCAA has approved the implementation of instant replay, along with a coach's challenge on questionable calls, for the 2006 season. This was tried in a few conferences the past season with varying results and reviews. The proposal now comes up for a full vote in March. Personally, I like the Moutain West Conference twist to the rule: Coaches would call a timeout to make a challenge. If the call was overturned, the team would keep its timeout and retain its challenge until it lost one. If the call was upheld, the team would be charged a timeout and the coach couldn't challenge again.

Other rules changes that are lost in this proposal are aimed at speeding up (why?) the game itself. The clock will start when the ball is kicked on a kickoff, not when the ball is touched. Halftime will be shortened to 15 minutes. The kicking tee will be reduced to 1 inch to reduce the number of touchbacks. Etc.

If you've been following this blog for awhile you'll know I'm most excited about the shortening of halftime. There's only so much Led Zeppelin and Pink Floyd being played by bassoons and French horns that I can take.

Trivia: Who was the halftime entertainment at the first Super Bowl?

And when we get behind closed doors

U.S. basketball players experience 2 Irans | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

The story about the banning of the dunk in college basketball

Texas Western's Road to Glory :: The real story behind Don Haskins' history-making college basketball program

Zona Ducks Oregon

For some reason, I didn't turn off the game last night when the Cats trailed Oregon by five points with less than a minute to play. Maybe I was thinking about the Fighting Illini's miracle win last March against my Cats and was hoping somehow McKale could provide such a Miracle. Glad I didn't leave before the Oregon meltdown. Next come the Beavers, smarting from a lopsided loss to (ohmygawd) Tempe. Keep on truckin' Cats!

Off the bubble? -- at least for now. It's still a day-to-day thing.

You're out! -- softball out of the Olympics as of 2012, much to the dismay of Coach Candrea and his ladies.

Football recruit news -- read halfway down the article to find out a little about AJ Simmons.

What about Louis? -- Louis Holmes, the nation's top-ranked defensive end, still has Arizona Stadium on his mind. Now if he can just get past that pesky biology class at Pima College.....

Batcats talent pipeline -- runs through beautiful Santa Rosa CA. Get out and see these guys.

Super Sunday

According to Greg Hansen --
"It would be a total shock if Stoops were unable to keep coveted junior college defensive line recruit Louis Holmes in Tucson until he becomes eligible. Holmes lives here and works out daily with UA football players. He considers himself part of the family and vice versa."

Darryl Lewis update -- the troubled former Wildcat and NFL Pro Bowler will face the judge on felony charges in Cali. Hope he can get the help he needs.

The sun came up again today

While it would have been easy for Olson to rant and rave after the Cats' most recent loss (nine already this season), he took the opposite approach. Don't dwell on the past, but look forward to today and tomorrow. There is still much to gain and accomplish this season. Still opportunities to improve.
If the coach of our beloved and beleaguered Wildcats can be so optimistic, how about the fans? We can start by showing up at McKale this week against the Oregon schools and remind the Cats what it's like to have the homecourt advantage on our side. How about it, folks?

Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain

Coach O is going to have become a Wizard himself if he's going to help his troops make to the Big Dance. At least he'll be able to click his Nikes while thinking, "There's no place like home...there's no place like home." The infamous Wildcat swagger looks more like a stagger, and coming home is just what the road-weary Cats need about now. Nothing like some home cookin' with an appreciative crowd to help right the ship.
Anyone else think the emotion that seems to be lacking has anything to do with Chris Rodgers' departure? Just a thought, but we could use someone with a fiery attitude right about now.

Cats drop another one -- down by 24 at one point, they managed a respectable run before running out of gas in the end. Nice try, though.

UA not alone -- they're in good company this year with other powerhouses fighting to stay out of the NIT.

Hitting the skids? -- Corky Simpson thinks so, anyway. Are we that spoiled? Yep.

Two thumbs down

Lute made the boys watch a video replay of Thursday's loss to SC, complete with slo-mo and freeze-frame, and the reviews were unanimous. "Sketchy plot." "Limited action." "Lacks star power." "No continuity." "Would have left early if I could have."
Still better than Breakback Mounting, though.

California Here We Come

Ready or not, the Cats take a big trip to LA to tangle with SC and ucLA. Even though the UA is 3-point favorite tonight against the Trojans, it's a cinch those points won't come from behind the arc. A measly 31% shooting touch from 3-point land has caused Lute to alter his offensive strategery - again. Let's see if he stands by his promise to yank anyone caught taking an ill-advised shot from "downtown." Has anyone else noticed his tolerance this season in letting players play through their mistakes? Maybe it's time to shake up a few egos.

RPI of 16? -- the NCAA released their first RPI rankings, with Arizona holding down 16th place. A few more quality wins would place them even higher. Then again, Tempe is whooping it up with a 191 ranking.

Recruiting -- recruiting, recruiting. Football-style.

100 minutes to SC. Definitely, 100 minutes. Go Cats!

Tuesday at the Wilburs'

Okay, okay. I should have turned off the UNC game after Hot Sauce made a fadeaway jumper then a quick steal and layup put the Cats ahead 4-0 in the first minute. I would feel a lot better about myself and our team, that's for sure. As it was, it was all downhill in Chapel Hill as the Cats took a pounding on national TV. Guess we'll be keeping our low profile a little longer.

Cats in the tourney? -- at least one report has us lacing up our dancing shoes. Hope we don't pull a Master P in LA this week.

Cats stink it up behind the line -- Lute threatens to pull players out for taking the low average 3-point shot. I can see all the collapsing defenses now, just daring any Cat to shoot. Can we resist temptation?

Today's recruiting philosophy -- "Recruiting is like shaving. If you're not doing it every day, you'll end up looking like a bum." Meet the gridiron version of the Barbasol man.

No. 4 cornerback picks Cats -- let's hope he lives up to the hype. The kid sounds awesome.

Stoops piles it on -- notice how much press he's getting with this year's recruits? He's on target to have the #2 class in the PAC10 starting with Signing Day tomorrow.

Conan the Wildcat -- "To crush your enemies, to see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women."

Now, it's off to LA and the Toejams - er - Trojans and bRuins. Tell them, tell the team to Bear Down.

UNC rates AZ as #2 toughest non-conference foe

Indiana ranks number one according to this article from Chapel Hill. Nice ink about the rivalry that's developed over the years between the two powerhouse teams, with the novelty of the "Miles Simon Rule" thrown in for good measure. That reads:

"... that any player who feels slighted during their recruitment by Carolina or wanted to attend Carolina will ultimately come back to haunt the Tar Heels in some fashion."

Good thing we've got Miles sitting on our bench again for this one.

Hat tip to Wilma for tracking this story down. Thanks.

Lute shows his pride

Actually, it's the pride of ex-Wildcats in the NBA that are showing a thing or two to the league. Things like sound fundamentals, good team players, and excellent citizenship. "You can't swing a bat in the NBA without hitting a Cat." Arizona trails only (shudder) Duke and Kentucky (11) for the most current players on rosters with 10 former Wildcats taking it to the next level. North Carolina, tomorrow's opponent, also weighs in with 10 former Tar Heels in the NBA. Look for more stars-in-the-making tomorrow as both teams seek respect. Selection Sunday is only 43 days away.

Kirk the Dominator -- Lute letting him play through his mistakes? Brilliant!

Clark Kellogg's take -- some more nice press for the game and the chance for an attention-getting road win.

Name dropping -- Michael Dickerson's little sister heating it up in Seattle.

Losing irks Tempe freshman - get used to it, Jeffie. It doesn't get any better than this. Take in a few more parties, dude.

Bear Down Arizona. Kick the Heels.

Down goes Tempe. Down goes Tempe

Got to watch the UA/Tempe game last night on the big screen at Rookies in Oceanside CA. The crowd was definitely pro-Wildcats. Well, okay, there were three of us UA fans and nobody for Sparky, no sound on the TV, but it was still a gas. I can't see how Tempe has gotten any better since "Coach" Evans got there, so here's hoping the Regents grant him a contract extension, too. And I was wondering whatever happened to Dave Libby. If he was taking night classes at ref's school he should ask for a tuition reimbursement.....the guy's terrible. He goes both ways - with his bad calls, that is.
Next up - defending NCAA champ UNC for the Wildcats. Evans will be hitting the recruiting trail - flat on his face, of course.

Things can only get better -- thus spake Lute.

Where have all the powers gone? -- UA, Kansas, Kentucky, and UNC not ranked at the same time? Beam me up, Scotty.

Football adds another top recruit -- but can he study? Also recruited by USC, Texas, and Oregon, Devin Ross looks like another real deal.

Sweet Sweep

AZ Basketball seems to have righted its ship, at least for now, and hung in yesterday for a win over Cal at McKale. With four straight road games looming, including one against the NC Tarheels, their team chemistry beaker can't afford a leak or spill.

Cal gave all -- they were within a three-pointer in the closing seconds to send the Cats into yet another OT game. Not this time, though. Make that 12 straight losses at McKale for the Bolden Gears.

Unbeatens no more -- Yesterday saw the last 3 remaining unbeatens going down. Fans rushing the court was the norm of the day.

Thumbs up or down? -- the Chris Rodgers saga continues. Everyone's got an opinion, even Chris, but I gotta admit the Cats have picked it up since CR's dismissal last week. Must trust Lute....must trust Lute...must trust

Team Chemistry 101

One thing we noticed in Thursday's OT win over Stanford was a sudden spike in team chemistry and energy. Long ago I gave up wondering what Lute was going to do with his teams to improve play and togetherness. He is a Hall of Famer after all. With the subtraction of two players and addition of one this week he just might have pulled it off for this season, too. Maybe the Cats NCAA-leading streak of 21 straight tourney appearances is safe for another year after all. Baby steps become big steps today when Cal comes to town.

Teamwork -- Subtract Rodgers and McClellan, add Onobun provides winning formula

Zona's Mystery Men -- Cal must prepare differently now that UA has new look

Cal needs Perfect Storm - from the SF Follicle (thanks, Michael Savage)

More Cat bashing -- let them pounce on us (in the press) while they have the chance

Glory Road -- Kentucky faithful take offense to Rupp's portrayal as a racist. Hey, it's only a movie, folks. Check out the footnotes for mention of Lute's planned contract extention.

Softball, baseball, swimming -- Annual Jim Click Alumni Baseball Game is tomorrow. Wilma and I will be there to check out the Batcats' new pad.

Bear Down Arizona. Turn Powe into a Biff today.

Rodgers gets new number - EIGHTY-SIX

13 proved to be an unlucky jersey number for Chris Rodgers, as he was swiftly booted from the team last night. The Wildcats' "best on-ball defender we've ever had at Arizona (Olson last week)" has already earned his degree and will now pursue a pro basketball career. You remember he flirted with leaving early last year, but was told by NBA minds that he needed some fine-tuning in his game. I guess he was trying to prove that he could over-penetrate, complain to the press, play inconsistently, and shoot with a hand in his face just as well as the next guy.
Best of luck, Chris. We could sure use your defense.

Cats looking like Homer's Doh!nuts

Not only did they put up a big O'fer the Oregon trail, they also have a noticeable hole in the middle where the center should be. Kirk, Isaiah, and Mohamed contributed another zero in the total points they scored. If rebounding was a muscle memory it'd have atrophied by now as those three also combined for 2 total rebounds. Talk about taking up space. Cal and Stanford present this week with a big advantage inside - it'll look like Andre the Giant with some jobber in there. Hope Lute's got a good game plan, and the players decide to work it. Some recent signees can give us something to look forward to.....can't they?
Arizona was in good company this week outside the Top 25, as both Kansas and Kentucky were also unranked. When was the last time that happened?

Let's see what else is going on in the Wildcat Nation:

Caitlin Lowe the go-to girl -- the softball team has some big holes to plug, too, with nine players gone from last year. Are we going to endure a rebuilding year in yet another sport?

Baseball, too? -- With Trevor Crowe, Jeff Van Houton, and Nic Hundley going pro, Bryan Kervin was the top returning hitter. WAS. He's off to TCU and the Horned Frogs. Ouch.

Stoops still scooping up talent -- plenty of help is on the way, as detailed here....and here....and here...how about the new asst. coach?...here...here...you get the idea. Now get your tickets.

Here's a flash -- there are still seats left ("a limited number") to this week's games against Cal and Stanford. What the heck is going on? It's okay to criticize the guys, but don't you think they're even more disappointed than we are? If you've got a ticket, get your butt in the seat and cheer them on. Be a fan.

Bear Down Arizona.

Ay Caramba

After digging themselves into a hole too deep to recover from against the Beavers on Thursday, the Wildcats are looking at wholesale changes in today's lineup against those pesky Ducks. J-Mac could be the answer. Or maybe not. Who knows with this year's team? The Cats are desperately in need of someone to play with more intelligence and less playground mentality, or dropping out of the Top 25 is the least of their worries.
Arizona basketball is not about up-and-down performances, poor decisions, sloppy defense, or a soft inside game. Even Loren Woods would be an improvement to our big-guy rotation. Let's get back to the pressure defense, deadly shooting, and the all-around intimidation that defines our teams.
Go Cats! Kick Ass!

Cats back on track

After losing to UCLA on Thursday, the Wildcats bounced back today with a win over USC. A strong second half effort, and a much-improved game by Shakur, spurred the team to an 11-point victory. Coupled with Cal's loss to OSU today, three teams are atop the PAC10 standings - Cal, UCLA, and AZ. Washington's hanging in there close, too, with a ame tonight against Wazzu. Nice to see "Staf" have a strong game after his sub-par performance against the bRuins. Still too close to call. And how about those bRuins? After knocking UA out with 62% shooting on Thursday, their 36% today was just enough to put Tempe away today. What the hell happened, UCLA?
The coaching line for Tempe starts at the right, guys. Check here for a thoughtful article on beleagured Rob Evans.

Stoops still recruiting -- no rest for Mikey if his plans for the football team are to be realized. Git 'R' Done.

News from the Diamond -- two Wildcat players named to Pre-season All-America team. The Cats as a team are unranked in the Top 25 after losing a buttload of players from last year's record-setting team.

Don't they have something important to protest

Chief Among the Silliness by George Will.............I'm offended that they are offended

Cats on a roll - not hot doggin' it

Arizona finds itself in familiar territory - back in the Top 25, on top of the PAC10, and back in their fans' good graces. With Lute's legacy of always putting a spirited competitive team on the floor, year after year, it just took a little longer than usual for this team to find its identity. Much of the credit goes to Lute himself, the "What? Me retire?" Hall of Famer who worked his magic again in last weekend's Washington trip. Hassan also stepped up his game and provided leadership and an enthusiasm that infected the team. It's too early yet to be euphoric (still 16 league games to go), but the feelings around town (and this humble household) are definitely more positive. It's going to be a wild ride, so hang on and buckle up.

Vote of confidence -- back in the national polls again, unity and a little Hot Sauce go a long way.

Speaking of Hot Sauce -- kudos to the senior forward after being named the PAC10 Player of the Week for the second week in a row. Washington can grouse all they want about a snub of Brandon Roy for last week's honor, but Channing Frey knows just how he feels. Looks like to be the MVP for the week your team has to win both games. Sounds fair. Oh, and way to go to Washington for beating hapless 4-8 Cornell last night. Nice schedule, dawgs. To BE the team you have to BEAT the team. Whooooo.

Bring on the bRuins -- I always think of Steve Allen when I hear UCLA. He did a skit on the Tonight Show when he was the host where people would give him the punchline and he'd make up the joke. When the word was UCLA, he asked, "What happens when the smog lifts?" Classic. Just like Thursday night's game should be.

Don't foul -- Lute explains why he didn't have his players foul at the end of regulation and OT #1 against UDubya Saturday. I know I was wondering why we watched the dawgs put up those 3-pointers. Guess that's why I'm not a coach. Doh.

Who Let the Cats Out?

Lute....Lute..Lute..Lute. Greg Hansen nails it.