Air Zona? More like Ground Turkey

All that talk about a new wide-open offense with multiple weapons was just that. Talk. It looked like the same old Wildcats out there running the ball, but the kicker was the defense, which played on its heels for the first half until getting into stride in the second. I had figured it would take a little time for Dykes' new offensive plan to work out the kinks, so I was expecting a slow start when we had the ball. This just in.....1 first down in the first half. The Cougar defense looked like they knew our playbook better than we did, so if you like seeing your team get stuffed, this was one is a keeper.
It could be much worse, though. I could be a Michigan fan tonight.

Game 1 2007(08?) Season

Last year’s season-opening tilt between the Arizona Wildcats and BYU Cougars at Arizona Stadium produced one of the most exciting wins of head coach Mike Stoops’ three-year tenure.
Nick Folk banged home a 48-yard field goal with one second remaining on the clock to give the Wildcats a surprising 16-13 win in front of one of the largest crowds in Arizona football history.
This year, the Cougars will be looking for revenge as the Wildcats travel to Provo, Utah on Saturday for the rematch.
We know the defense will show up strong, and we hope upon hope that the Cats will finally have an offense that works.
Bear Down.

• Here's one oddsmaker that has seen the light. Take the Cats and the points +3 1/2
• The Cougars think we kept them out of the BCS games last year so they're fired up today. Danger - mad Mormons.
• BYU trots out what they hope is their next great QB. The fact that he's from the Valley of the Dead, dedshirted a year at Tempe Normal, and is the nephew of that "other" Danny White adds a little something extra to the game. Watch the UA defense key in on poor Max Hall....ouch.
• Too bad that tonight's game between San Jose State and Tempe won't be on TV. I'd love to see the Tomey/Erickson matchup, the tenth time the coaches have met. I'm thinking Fiesta Bowl 2004, a 29-0 whuppin' Dick laid on Dennis.
• Willie T has plenty of experience running the spread offense, according to his hometown paper. He completed 19 of 23 passes for 305 yards and five touchdowns in a
  50-45 victory over Nevada Union in the 2004 Sac-Joaquin Section
  Division I final. The more I hear, the more excited I get about the Cats' potential this year.
• Here are some great football nicknames that aren't of your garden variety. No Banana Slugs or Artichokes, though.
• Ex-Batcat Jordan Brown makes the Cleveland Indians stand up and take notice of him. MVP and Rookie of the Year awards in back to back seasons.
  

Bear Down, South Park Style

Check out this video of our Great Fight Song.
Take that, Sparky.

Best Headline Nominee

I just had to share this with someone out there! How do these guys get away with this stuff??

Wildcats Repeat at WCWS

An unbelievable performance by the entire Women's Softball team resulted in  the UA's 8th National Title, and its second in a row.  Watching their play in OKC renewed our faith in college athletics, as the Cats won with grit, grace, and a spirit that would not be denied.



Way to go, ladies!

Hat Tip

To Broomfield High, home of Batcat Colt Sedbrook.

Cats vow to toughen up

Chase B'inger will be around next year. His trainer confirmed that Noodles isn't quite ready for the NBA:

"I know he's not ready," (Trent) Suzuki said. "He can't guard Kobe Bryant. He can't even guard Kyle Weaver" of Washington State.

Let's hope the entire team is committed to the new toughness regime.

Lute in good company

Lute Olson was joined by good friends Bobby Knight and Coach K in the "One and Done" club. The three coaching legends were booted from the NCAA tournament just as the fun was starting.

Wait 'til next year

With yesterday's drubbing by Purdue, Arizona Basketball v.2006-07 is over. Finally. Not the way Ivan or Shakur pictured it, I'm sure, when they started their careers here. Here are a few reasons we had the season we did:

• Shakur was not the kind of player we all thought he was. The freshman "Golden Child" turned into another false point guard.
• We thought were tough. We weren't.
• Not enough depth. Either the bench didn't develop for the entire season or the talent just isn't there.
• And what about Lute? You know the talk is going to be "he's too old...he's lost it...his age hurts us in recruiting.." The guy only needs 19 more wins to reach 800 career victories, so let's make sure he gets them here.
• We struggled without JMac and got too little too late.
• No passion. The team just didn't seem to care about the game, at least not as much as all those of us cheering them on.
  
• Bad Karma. When Williams declared Zona as the "Standard in the Pac10 against which all others are judged" it spelled the beginning of the end of the season. It figures it would happen in the city of Voodoo.

So another basketball season wraps up and we can start thinking Wildcat Football again! Life is always good in Wildcat Country.

Here's the first sign that the end is near - Don King to meet with the Pope.

Agent Zero Update

Wilma found this great video about Gilbert and his drive to excel. And what a cute baby picture....
Oh - check out Hibachi's NBA Best Blog. Or this one even.

Tourney Time!

It's getting down to crunch time in the bracket challenge, and I can't wait to see who the other players are picking to take it all. How many of us picked the Cats to get past Purdue?

• Need help with your picks? - here are the brackets of some SI sportswriters to give you some ideas. Here's another set. I wonder if Bob Barker is going to play again this year?
• Dillon blows - more than 0.08, that is. Looks like we'll be going into the tourney short one defensive stopper. Like our offense needs any more pressure, right?
• Inconsistency is AZ's consistency - that pretty much sums it up. I know we can put two games together, though. And so does this guy.
  
• Tips for an office pool - and all perfectly legal.
• Whoo Purdue - here's Lute's take on the Boilermakers.
• Bobby Wade update - here's what the former UA receiver is doing these days. Vacation in Barbados? Nice.
• Iggy is 76er's new AI - and he's starting to come into his own these days.
  

So Niagara played itself in to the tourney tonight - welcome aboard, Purple Eagles.

Is it Thursday yet?

The Man Behind the Madness

We've all heard of the Sagarin Rankings, so here's the story of the man behind it all.

Utt Bugly

That's about the only way to describe yesterday's PAC10 tourney game against Oregon.  Since I was working, I had Brian Jeffries on the radio, telling me for a couple of hours how much the Cats sucked in LA.  I don't know if the new uniforms went to their heads (or cut off the circulation), but if we see a repeat performance next week in the Big Dance we'll be back in the "one and done" circle of friends.  No heart, no brains - Lute's got to figure out a way to get these kids back on track, pronto.  And, no - I don't care that UCLA and Duke both lost yesterday, too.  We're talking about the Cats here.

• Miles Simon - Q&A with the Wildcat Asst. Coach
• Daniel Schlereth - UA's closer on the mound leads Batcats to Hawaii.  How come I didn't see this road trip coming??
• What's Your Seed? - this writer puts AZ as the #6 seed in the San Antonio Regional.  Is he dreaming?  I say no higher than an 8 seed.
• Nic Costa sighting - former Cat QB signs with the Toronto Argonauts.  Last seen scrambling to the border.

Go Cats!

Get Your Brackets Here

It's easy to get in on the Family Pool Bracket Challenge. Go to this link:
http://catscratchfever.mayhem.sportsline.com/e
You'll need the group password, which is - what else- wilbur

Create a profile if you're a new player (or can't remember last year's login) then wait for the pairings to be announced. Don't forget - $10 a bracket.

And remember - it pays to be bad. Your money refunded if you come in dead last.

Who are these guys?

Five straight road wins (total margin - 22 pts), a season-ending sweep of the Bay, and the PAC10 tourney dead ahead. Are these Cats actually thriving on the mostly self-inflicted challenges they face daily? It's been crazy being a fan, too. Poor Wilma - I haven't heard her say "Gosh Darn!" this much in a loooong time.

Put time back on the clock

The NCAA decided that trying to shorten the game of football was futile, so the rules revert back to pre-2006 standards or starting the clock on the snap of the ball, not on change of possession. Smart move. As a fan, I don't want a quick game. I've waited all week (sometimes longer) to be at the game, and I don't want it to be over in 3 hours. Give me overtime!
Also, kick-offs will be moved back 5 yards (to the 30-yard line), which should add a little excitement to the game as well. Does that mean we'll have fewer footballs to toss out of the South endzone??

Favorite Wilbur

Nice Shirt

There is mention of the UA/Oregon game in this column, but I just thought that the fan's shirt was priceless.

Red Road Uni's Help Cats Find Their Mojo

After going 0-4 in close games this season the Cats finally win one. It's also nice to play against a team that is struggling just like AZ has done this year. Wasn't it sweet to hold Brooks to just 6 points? That rumbling sound you hear is the bandwagon loading up. Again.

• Quacked up - Seeing Aaron Brooks with a bandage on his cheek and Coach Kent with his left shoulder useless was kind of a strange ending, though.
• Batcats roll - Starting off 7-0 this season gives hopes for the season. I hope this doesn't work like the old announcer jinx on free-throw shooters.
• Commitment to Excrement - the Sun Dribbles continue to flame out, big-time.
• Ivan to Win - I just liked the headline of this article. And what a shot by Ivan.
  

Agent Zero Saves DC

I couldn't believe it when I saw this article in Time Magazine on Mr. Arenas. You know you've hit the big time when Time is on your side.

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