Arizona

Baseball, Jetlagged and Fatigued, Recovers from Letdown, Slams Past Devils 12-8

2006-04-06T19:28:09Z

Cats Up 6-0 Early, then ASU Comes back to lead 8-6...before Plante's Grand Slam gives Cats dramatic victory

The Arizona Wildcats had a very busy and dramatic few days. They lost to Cal on Friday, then on Saturday they beat the Bears behind the strong arm of Senior Brad Mills. Then the second game was called due to darkness. It was continued early Sunday morning, but it only lasted 15 minutes as Freshmen Cory Burns served up a walk-off solo homerun to the Bears, as the Cats lost the game 4-3 in 13 innings. One would have thought that they would be down in the dumps, but not this Wildcat team. As Coach Andy Lopez said about this year's team: "They may not be the most talented, but they try harder, every game, out of any team I have ever coached, and I think that showed this weekend, especially here tonight against ASU". In the first two innings, the Cats did not miss a beat jumping on #12 ASU 6-0 through the first two innings. And Ryan Perry was pitching very well in a first career start, until errors and missed plays, plagued him, as he left in the 5th inning with a 6-4 lead. But the Devils kept chipping away at the lead, and eventually took the lead 7-6 in the 6th inning, and then added another run in the 7th. Then in the 8th, the Cats woke up. Bill Rhineheart brought home catcher Matt Denker, on a long sacrifice fly to center field. Then ASU coach called upon left fielder, and #1 starter Ike Davs to shut down the rally. after a single and a hit batter, Davis was returned to left field. In came closer Zechry Zinicola. He was known for his fastball, and it came ino play in this inning. His first pitch hit Colt Sedbrook, then to the plate came DH David Plante. "I knew he relied on his fastball, so I sat there waiting" with the count 1-1, Zinicola pitched a low fastball, and Plante launched it over the right-center field wall, giving the Cats the lead 11-8 on the grand slam. It was a dramatic, and fitting way for the weekend to culminate. But the game was not over. Wildcats pitcher Daniel Schlareth was also key in the victory, as he pitched 2 1/3 shutout innings, in which he struck out 7 of the 8 batters he faced. This is just the type of victory that this Wildcat team needed to turn their season around, and make a run in the Pac-10. They face the Beavers of Oregon State this weekend, in Corvallis, for a 3-game set, and then return to Tucson, next weekend for a 3-gamer vs. the bRuins of UCLA.

J.P Prince staying at U of A

2006-04-06T19:22:07Z

J.P. will return as a Wildcat for the 2006-07 season

In an interview with the Arizona Daily Wildcat, J.P. Prince put to rest the rumors that he would be tranfering from the U of A. "There was never any transfer," Prince said. "I never said I was going anywhere. That was everybody else saying I was going somewhere, that I needed to leave." He also mentioned that he will be in Tucson over the summer, and will look to improve his overall game, so he can become a major factor for teh Wildcats next season.

Where Have We Been?!

2006-04-06T19:08:13Z

I know we have not been upstaing the site, but we are back now...so stay tuned for daily updates on your Wildcat sports

We will be providing updates on Spring Football practice, baseball, softball, as well as information regarding the status of Marcus WIlliams and Mustafa Shakur, as well as JP Prince...stay tuned and GO CATS!!!!

Chris Rodgers Returns to Team

2006-02-14T17:52:32Z

Rodgers' Teammates Voted to have him return to team; Status for this weekend unknown

Senior guard Chris Rodgers is back on the Arizona men's basketball team after an eight-game absence and practiced with the squad yesterday. Rodgers was originally dismissed from the team Jan. 18.

"He's fulfilled the various responsibilities that have been set up for him to get back," Arizona head coach Lute Olson said. Olson said he was unsure whether Rodgers will play Thursday at California, and that the decision would be made like any other concerning playing time. "The same way I decide when anyone's going to play, once I see the practices and how things go," Olson said. Olson met with each player individually regarding Rodgers' status and said no one was opposed to the Oregon native's return. To a person, his teammates felt that it would be a good idea to have him back," Olson said. Rodgers averaged 10.8 points per game and 2.3 rebounds per game in 16 games with the Wildcats.

Since his dismissal, Olson said Rodgers has stopped by Olson's office a number of times and has displayed a willingness to come back to the team. "He just wants to do anything to help the team in whatever capacity," Olson said. "He's maintained a very positive approach all through this."
Olson said he wasn't surprised by the way Rodgers has handled the process and the "stipulations" that Olson said would make the difference in his possible return. "With some of the occurrences, the good thing I think is that Chris has recognized that yes, this has been a hard time, but I think five years from now, he's going to look back and feel that this was part of his growing experience," Olson said.

Baseball Takes 2 of 3 in Riverside

2006-02-14T04:10:58Z

Melancon to move to Friday starting spot; Cats Defense much improved

Article courtesy of the Daily Wildcat

Down 5-3 with two outs in the sixth inning of their rubber match with University of California-Riverside, the Arizona baseball team needed a spark.

With the bases loaded with Wildcats, freshman right fielder Jon Gaston walked to push junior catcher Konrad Schmidt across the plate and cut the Highlanders lead to 5-4. But it wasn't until senior third baseman Brad Boyer stepped to the plate that Arizona found its igniter.

Driving a 1-1 pitch from Highlanders redshirt sophomore lefty Dan Runzler to left, Boyer scored freshman first baseman Brad Glenn and freshman centerfielder T.J. Steele, and gave Arizona its second lead of the game at 6-5.

"That's something where I love to be in those situations, where it's heat of the moment," Boyer said. "It's something that I really thrive on."

The Wildcats (4-2) would go on to add five more in the ninth and cruise to an 11-5 victory over the Highlanders (4-3) at Riverside Sports Complex.

Arizona and Riverside split the first two games of the weekend, with the Highlanders taking the Friday game, 8-5, and the Wildcats rebounding on Saturday, 4-2.

If Boyer, who finished 2-for-4 with three RBIs, provided the spark in yesterday's sixth, freshman center fielder T.J. Steele opened the throttle the whole way for Arizona in the top half of the ninth, when his second triple of the year scored senior left fielder Derek Decater and pinch-runner Hunter Pace, a freshman outfielder.

Steele himself motored the entire way around the bases as well when Riverside sophomore third baseman Aaron Wible was charged with an error, allowing the Tucson native to extend the Wildcat lead to four, 9-5.

"I was just happy we won the game, so it doesn't really matter for me, but as a team, it was good that … we got the win," Steele said.

Arizona had 13 hits on the day in all, three of which came from Glenn, while four other Wildcats had at least two hits. On top of that, six Wildcat batters were hit by pitches in the game, tying a school record.

Furthermore, the bullpen continued to be a strong point for Arizona, as it worked 11 2/3 solid innings over the weekend - including four scoreless in yesterday's win - and outside of freshman pitcher Preston Guilmet, didn't allow a run in the series.

One member of that bullpen, junior closer Mark Melancon (1-0), will be moved into a Friday starting role next week. He made his case over the weekend as he pitched 4 2/3 scoreless innings Saturday, striking out five while allowing two hits and walking one in picking up his first win of the season.

"We'll see how it goes, we still have a month and a half before Pac-10 play, so it's a not a situation that's in cement," said Arizona head coach Andy Lopez. "Mark Melancon deserves to be a Friday night guy, and he pitched like a Friday night guy on Saturday in relief, so we'll go that route."

Redshirt freshman lefty Daniel Schlereth made a case of his own over the weekend, only his was to replace Melancon in the closer's role. Working 3 2/3 innings over the weekend, he surrendered only two hits, and yesterday he struck out five of the nine batters he faced en route to his second save of the season.

"Daniel's done a great job in the pen, so we're going to leave him in that closing role, and let him run there for a while and see if he can continue to do a good job with that thing," Lopez said. "So far, so good."

Added Steele: "Schlereth is the man at this point. He's dominating."

As part of the switch in rotation, former Friday starter Eric Berger, a sophomore left-hander, will be moved to Saturday."It's not necessarily that Eric Berger has done anything poor, it's just that we really need a little bit more of a performance on Friday night," Lopez said. "Mark has been here in the program for three years, so he deserves it." The Sunday spot has yet to be determined, Lopez said, but it will come down to freshman righty Mike Colla and junior lefty Brad Mills, who picked up the win in his first career start yesterday. "They both deserve to pitch in that spot, but only one can do that," Lopez said.

Cats Dominate Beavers 80--58

2006-02-14T04:04:33Z

Radenovic, WIlliams, and Adams all set new career highs

More to follow...

Cats Come Back to Defeat Ducks

2006-02-10T17:47:50Z

Cats score final 7 points Oregon, beat Ducks in a must-win game

Recap courtesy of Shane Bacon, Daily Wildcat

It might not have been the prettiest win of the season for the Arizona men's basketball team, but after an up-and-down performance, the Wildcats were happy to break a three-game losing streak.

The Arizona men's basketball team was on the verge of losing a fourth straight when they trailed by five with under a minute remaining, but that's when the Ducks self-destructed.

Arizona (14-9, 7-5 Pacific 10 Conference) finished the game on a 7-0 run off the strength of two crucial turnovers as the Wildcats beat Oregon (10-14, 4-8) 70-68 in a roller coaster performance.

Arizona took the final lead after junior Mustafa Shakur drove to the hoop with 9.2 seconds left and was fouled and sent to the line.

Shakur needed only one for the tie, but knocked down both to put Arizona up 69-68 and said afterward that he was just trying to do what he always does.

"I just told myself not to think about it," Shakur said. "I kind of tried to push the guys away from me, they were getting hyped. I was just like telling myself to relax and take my time and do the things I've always done at the free throw line."

Walters said that he didn't have any doubt that Shakur would make them both.

To get to that point, sophomore guard Daniel Dillon stole the ball after Shakur hit two earlier free throws to give Arizona the ball trailing by 3.

After a baby hook by junior center Kirk Walters cut the lead to one, 68-67, Shakur and freshman forward Marcus Williams trapped senior guard Brandon Lincoln and knocked the ball off his leg to set up Shakur's heroics.

"I came from behind him and actually I hit the ball," Shakur said. "The ball hit off his foot and it bounced around and then I think (junior guard Aaron) Brooks tried to grab it or something and it just went out of bounds. It ricocheted; it was a good double."

The Ducks had one last chance to tie, but Brooks was called for traveling after penetrating deep into the lane and attempting to pass to junior forward Ivan Johnson.

Junior forward Ivan Radenovic hit one of two free throws to seal the win.

"Coming back from that margin with that little time really showed that we had some guts on the floor," Walters said. "We really fought hard and got the victory."

The Wildcats started the game exactly as Arizona head coach Lute Olson would have wanted, going on a 16-0 run over seven minutes after Oregon knocked down an initial 3-pointer.

The second half was not nearly as well-run, with the ups and downs continuing. The Wildcats found themselves behind 57-56 with 7:56 left in the half after a triple from sophomore guard Chamberlain Oguchi for Oregon's first lead since the 3-0 start.

The Wildcats never gave up, and finally got back in synch with the help of Walters, who finished with a career-high 18 points.

"I felt like I played really good," Walters said. "Guys got me some great passes, Ivan got me some lobs and made easier buckets for me."

Fresh off the win, the players were already focusing on the tough road ahead before the Pac-10 Tournament that starts with Oregon State tomorrow for an 11:30 a.m. game televised by FSN Arizona.

"(Oregon State) beat us at their place and we have to keep winning the way we are," Walters said. "It feels like we got that monkey off our back and now we can start playing and start building this momentum to the Pac-10 Tournament."

To continue to build on the winning streak, Olson said the team has to play the entire 40 minutes, something that was lacking again last night.

"It's still not 40," Olson said. "You can't have lapses when we got them down 16-3; the killer instinct is not there."

Even with a lot of progress to make, Olson said it took a lot to come back and win that game.

"We still have a way to go with that, but certainly the ability to come back when we're down five (shows something)," he said.

ATTENTION STUDENTS: PACK THE HOUSE!!!!!!

2006-02-09T18:18:28Z

Tonight versus Oregon, if you have a ticket show up...or give your ticket to someone who will

All seaosn long, the attendence at our men's basketball games has been, well, embarrassing. We are the U of A, we are a BASKETBALL SCHOOL!!! How we can oversell our football student section for a team that goes 3-8 every year, but can only fill 80% of our allotment that we complained about, in order to get, is just unacceptable. So tonight, when we face off against Oregon at 6:30, lets fill the seats. Lets not give the school a reason to take our seta away. If you have a ticket make your prescnce felt in that arena. Our student section has the opportunity to be something great! A studnet section can add life into a slumping team, such as ours. SO, if you have a ticket find someone else who does, and cheer on our CATS!!!!!

BEARDOWN!!!!

Zona Takes 2 of 3 from LMU, Despite Terrible Defense and Quetionable Starting Pitching

2006-02-07T00:43:30Z

Melancon sets U of A saves record, could be moved to starting roation in coming weeks
Despite winning two of three this past weekend here at home, there are still many questions to be answered for the 2006 U of A Baseball team. One of which is that there defense in the infield, is very questionable after comitting 11 errors, including 6 by veterans Brad Boyer and Jason Donald. Also, the starters struggled mightily, with no one starter making it more than 4 innings. Berger, Friday night's starter allowed 5 runs, but only one of which was earned. And closer Mark Melancon, who has been rumored to be moved to the starting rotation, set the U of A saves record with the save on Saturday. Offensively, the Wildcats were good, clawing their way back in each of the two wins. I must say that the new players such as 1B Stephen Pearson, C Konrad Schmidt, and outfielders Jon Gaston, TJ Steele, and Brad Glenn. Gaston, hit a towering home run over the right field fence onto 6th Street, on his first career collegiate pitch. But Schmidt, who performed very admirably at the plate, dropped many pitches behind the plate, often allowing LMU runners to advance.
And the Hot Corner, the Zona Zoo student section at baseball games, was rowdy at times, and quite funny. Telling leadoff man DeAundre Miller to get new gloves, referring to his very dirty batting gloves. And as the season rolls along, I expect them to get rowdier, and possibly even more creative with teh heckling. But, if you are a student, if you enter the Hot Corner, you better put 110% into heckling, or you will be ridiculed and asked to leave. So dont say I didnt warn you.
The Wildcats continue their quest for Omaha this weekend, when they travel to Riverside for a three-game set to face off against the Highlanders. They return to Tucson, the 18th of February for a two-game homestand against the New Mexico Lobos.

Cats Swept by LA Schools, First 3 Game Skid Since 1992

2006-02-07T00:32:35Z

Arizona now just 6-5 in the conference, mentioning of "bubble" intensifies

The Arizona Wildcats are at a crossroads. They will most likely have to roll through the rest of Pac-10 play without a loss, to even be considered for the NCAA Tournament. In addition, they will probably have to get a win or two in the annual Pac-10 tourney, in Los Angeles. This will be no easy task.

In the games against USC and UCLA, turnovers and slow starts plagued them and eventually led to the losses. Against UCLA they were in a 50-34 hole, before climbing back by shooting 58 % for the game. But the Cats are not a good come-from-behind team, on the basis of that they lack a true 3-point shooter(the graduation of super-shooter Salim Stoudamire, didnt help much). Shakur has played well as of late, but Senior Hassan adams has been hit-or-miss, and has not stepped up as a leader as many would have expected him to be. The bench has played well, but the inconsistancy, not just on the season, but through a course of a given game, has really turned the Cats into a very mediocre basketball team. And one that does not deserve consideration for the NCAA tourney. But that could chnage with a sweep of the Oregon schools this week at home. Dominating performances in all facets of teh game could reinstore hope not just in teh eyes of Tucson, and the students but most importantly, Hall of Fame coach Lute Olsen.

And Students dont give up on them, keep up the support and pack the stands on Thursday.

Cats Streak Ends With Tough 17 Point Loss at UNC

2006-01-30T00:34:54Z

Arizona just didnt show the toughness needed to win on the road
Article courtesy Arizonaathletics.com

Tyler Hansbrough had 21 points and 11 rebounds, Wes Miller added 14 points on his 23rd birthday and North Carolina ruined Arizona's first trip to Chapel Hill with an 86-69 victory Saturday.

Reyshawn Terry and Danny Green each scored 13 points while point guard Bobby Frasor added nine assists with no turnovers for the Tar Heels (12-5), who won for only the second time in the past five games. They shot 57 percent from the field to tie the all-time series with the Wildcats 3-3.

Each of the previous five came at neutral sites, including the final game of Dean Smith's career in the 1997 NCAA tournament. That was the most recent meeting, and North Carolina makes a return visit to Arizona next season.

Mustafa Shakur led the Wildcats (13-7) with 18 points, and teammate Marcus Williams had 17. They had a three-game winning streak snapped in their most lopsided loss of the season.

Arizona's struggles began in the waning seconds of the first half, when holding for the final shot and trailing by five points. Adams missed badly and the ball went out of bounds to the Tar Heels with less than 2 seconds remaining.

North Carolina coach Roy Williams called a timeout, and he had David Noel throw the inbounds pass. It connected with Frasor about 30 feet from the basket, and his shot rattled in to make it 39-31 at the break. When Hansbrough opened the final 20 minutes with an easy layup, the margin was 10.

It grew from there, with nearly everyone contributing. Reyshawn Terry put back his own miss, Frasor drove down the lane and Danny Green made a pair of 3-pointers. Noel and Hansbrough worked inside to score, and Miller converted a turnover into a breakaway layup.

For Miller, who was starting for the third consecutive game, it was only his fourth basket from inside the arc this season. He also was 4-of-5 on 3-pointers, giving him at least two in six straight games.

Arizona led for the final time at 21-20 before Miller swished a 3, and five ties later, the Tar Heels moved in front for good on Hansbrough's tip-in. That came during a stretch when the Wildcats missed six of their final eight shots of the first half, and Frasor finished off the run with his desperation shot.

Pictures from ASU

2006-01-28T19:09:35Z

Crazy Pictures from ASU....
http://arizona.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2022033

All pictures courtesy of Tara Siadat

U of A Continues Dominance Over AsWho?

2006-01-26T17:14:29Z

Cats have stronger second half and put away Sun Devils handily
There are rivalries all across the country in college sports, but in a sport that usually has some sort of parody, never have we seen such dominance as Lute Olsen has shown over our hated neighbors to the north. Arizona beat ASU 80-70 on a rather quiet Wednesday evening. Wells Fargo Arena was majority red and blue, and was not absent of the rivalry rearing its ugly head out. There were fights in the upper deck, where ASU stuck all the rowdy U of A students, including myself, who made the 150-mile trek up from Tucson. Lute also had a technical foul after trying to get the refs to call the technical foul on the right player. The only player who showed up was ASU Guard Kevin Kruger. And the only way he was scoring was with wide open 3 point looks. On the other side of things, Arizona played a complete game for the first time in a while. Kirk Walters showed up, Hasaan dazzled, despite having the flu, and Isiah Fox? actually played well. ASU just seemed like they dont have the players to compete with the Cats, and didnt seem like they wanted the game. And as long as Rob Evans is around, it will stay that way.

Rodgers Adresses the Media

2006-01-22T18:14:02Z

Email is in his words, says he is often misunderstood
My intentions are not to go against the coach, program, or university in anyway.

I’m simply speaking on my behalf regarding my situation here and the misconception that people have towards me about not getting along with my teams or having an attitude.

As far as me bumping heads with the coach and not seeing eye to eye with things, I have never been afraid to stand outside the box, so to speak.

I have courage and I stand up for what I believe in, it's who I've always been as a person. It’s not that I'm not coach-able or have an attitude; I think that’s a big misconception about me.

I’ve have never had that ‘true’ support from this program in regards to my basketball career and my performance for the team since I’ve been at the UA. That’s why it has been difficult here.

I feel that I have been good enough to play and have an impact on the game and I think it shows when I’ve been given that opportunity.

I have to standup for myself because no one else will stand up for you!

For the record, I am a good team-mate. I have good relationship with my teammates; I support them, the coaching staff, and my teammates support me.

I truly believe that certain things in life define who you are as a person and I’m not afraid to risk my life, career, or future to stand up for what is right and just.

At the end of the day you have to be able to, and I can, look in the mirror and be happy with myself.

I try to live life as an extension of God as best as I can.

We all make mistakes and I am far from perfect.

This is in relation to my experience and the reason why I haven't seen eye to eye and have been out spoken at times but only when I have been in defense of myself and the truth. I truly believe that the truth shall set you free.

Everyone has their own personality and should not be penalized but embraced.

My personality is strong and, no, I’m not a loner. I do go out and party. I’m just a real laid back chill type of dude, who is extremely focused on being the best that I can be in basketball.

I live in the gym. Anyone that knows me knows that I’m a gym-rat. I’m an extravert and an introvert .

I feel that I should be able to be my own person. When I step on the court for me its all about team and winning and that’s all that should matter.

There’s a misconception about me in this program. People thinking that I’m selfish. I’m not. If that was the case, why come to UA? Why not go somewhere where I could be the man?

Just because I was the ‘man’ at my high school, that shouldn't be used against me in college. I came to UA because I wanted to be apart of a family structured program.

If I’m a selfish player then why did I lead the team with the best assist to turnover ratio last year, and possibly this year.

I play defense like a warrior and it’s all a sacrifice for the team to win.

I’ve never taken 20 shots a game here or wanted to.

I have always wanted to get the recognition that I deserve, because I feel that I’ve worked my hardest for it and I am good enough and would help the team win.

Who doesn't believe in themselves? There is this misconception about me because I am very competitive. I don't care where I play; at the rec, ymca the old men’s league, or a girls league. I take no prisoners!!! I’m trying to win. That killer instinct is within me at all times. That’s how the greatest players in the world are, but it can be misinterpreted as being an a-hole which I am not.

I have always been an underdog all my life and I like it that way.

But by not being given the opportunity I feel I deserved since I’ve been in the program. It has lead to a rocky relationship with the coach and myself.

Here’s the deal: If I wasn't any good or didn't think that I could help then I wouldn't standup for myself, but I know that’s not the case.

And I think any coach would want a player on their team that would kill for a chance to play the game he loves.

Its' kind of like David and Goliath.

If you have ever seen the movie Braveheart or Gladiator then you will understand exactly how I feel about my situation here.

As a player I guess your always wrong or will be perceive negatively by the media or outside public sometimes even if you’re fighting for what is right in your heart.

It’s funny to me because I look at other things that happen in college sports like the situation with Marcus Williams at UCONN. He's not even kicked off the team and he did something illegal. I look at my situation and I can't help to laugh... I've never stolen, had bad grades or got into really bad fights with my teammates. Sure I’ve had lots of little squabbles but who hasn't when your in a competitive environment. At the same time what doesn't kill you will only make you a stronger man. So I stay optimistic about adversity that occurs in my life. Someday, my name will be lost and people will forget that I played at UA but if there’s one thing I want the world to know out there about Chris Rodgers is that he has courage and that he is not afraid to standup for what he believes that is true in his heart!

The true shall set u free,

Chris Rodgers

Cats WIn Defensive Battle, Beat Bears 60-55

2006-01-22T18:01:10Z

Cats actually outrebound an opponent, 40-27
In a game where the Cats really struggled shooting the ball, they were able to overcome it due to the ability they had to shut down Cal as well as being able to get offensive rebounds and get the putbacks. The rebounding is just something that has been lacking from the Wildcats, all season long. And once again the bench came through in a big way, getting valuable minutes from Mohammed Tangara and Issiah Fox. And Fendi Onobun and J.P. Prince each added in 6 points. And Fendi, just taken out of his redshirt on Thursday night, seems to be teh new fan favorite. The Zona Zoo chants "Fendi" seemingly everytime he enters the game. Leon Powe had a big game for the Bears, putting in 23 and adding 13 rebounds. But in the end the Cats defense and the students were all that mattered in this affair. The defense by the Cats was the fact that Cal's Ayinde Ubaka was 1-8 from 3. In an exciting defensive battle it seemed like the crowd only got behind teh Cats after an exciting dunk or nice shot. Except for the student section. They were loud and jumping up and down al game long, even chanting "SAT's" at Leon Powe(hed had to take the SAT's 4 times to qualify for the NCAA academically). And this is great to see not only for the team, but for the McKale Center. It shows how great and important a good student section can be, if it is full and that it can energize teh rest of teh arena, and most important the Arizona WIldcats Men's Basketball team.