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.

Posted by Nicholas Sproul at 07:32 PM on February 06, 2006
Comment | Send-to-Friend

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.

Posted by Nicholas Sproul at 07:34 PM on January 29, 2006
Comment | Send-to-Friend

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.

Posted by Nicholas Sproul at 12:14 PM on January 26, 2006
Comment | Send-to-Friend

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

Posted by Nicholas Sproul at 01:14 PM on January 22, 2006
Comment | Send-to-Friend

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.

Posted by Nicholas Sproul at 01:01 PM on January 22, 2006
Comment | Send-to-Friend

Sophomore Guard likely to seek medical redshirt
McClellan is expected to be just barely eligible for a medical hardship season after suffering a season-ending wrist ligament last Saturday in Oregon.
Under NCAA bylaw 14.2.4, student-athletes can get an additional year of eligibility back if they don't play in more than 20 percent of their team's games and the team isn't beyond the halfway point of its season when they suffer a season-ending injury.
McClellan played in just two games because of academic ineligibility that kept him out until Jan. 12 at Oregon State, and the Jan. 14 game he was hurt in just happened to count as the 14th of UA's 28 regular-season games.
The Oregon game was actually the 16th that the Wildcats have played, but the three-game Maui Invitational tournament counts as just one under the NCAA's formula since it is an exempted event. The Pac-10 Tournament, which can be up to four games, also counts as just one.
"I think we'll be fine," said Bill Morgan, UA's associate AD for compliance. "``Now we just have to convince him to stay. In basketball, it's all relative."
McClellan injured his left, non-shooting hand when he drove to the basket in the first half of the Oregon game and collided with the Ducks' Aaron Brooks.
He said the injury was a "blessing from my dad" to have happened at a time when he can end his troubled season yet still have his eligibility restored.
"This is something that was waiting to happen," McClellan said.
McClellan took a similar viewpoint when his father, George, died suddenly of a heart attack last June.
He said George McClellan spoke with him a day before his death, telling him to "handle my business, that he loved me and that he wasn't going to be here forever."

Posted by Nicholas Sproul at 12:48 PM on January 22, 2006
Comment | Send-to-Friend

Arizona Blows 11-point halftime lead, perseveres in OT to defeat the Cardinal
There were a couple of firsts in this game. First game without Chris Rodgers, first game for freshmen Fendi Onobun, and the first game that the McKale Center had a full and raucous student section. All were key in a very clutch Arizona victory on Thursday night over the Cardinal of Stanford. In the first half, the Cats shot a dazzling 69 %! Their defense sent Stanford into fits, and could not find a rhythm. But that all changed in the second half, as they weer able to find the open 3, time and again. Once the Cats finally woke up, they found themselves behind. But when they needed it most freshmen Marcus Williams came to the forefront. He had a career-high 22 points and 6 rebounds. And Mustafa Shakur was the one feeding him the ball with a career-high 12 assists. But in the end, what I found most important from my view point from the "Zona Zoo" was the fact that the arena was rocking due to the now-full student section. This win means more than an impact on the Pac-10 standings, it also gives Arizona the confidence they need to win game later on down the line.

Posted by Nicholas Sproul at 12:41 PM on January 22, 2006
Comment | Send-to-Friend

Senior guard had a history of troubles, both on and off the court
Lute Olson announced on Wednesday night that Senior guard Chris Rodgers has been dismissed from the University of Arizona Men's Basketball team. For more on this story: http://www.arizonaathletics.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=1600&ATCLID=226128

Rodgers was averaging 10.8 PPG, 4.4 Rebounds, 1.9 assists, and shooting 35%

Posted by Nicholas Sproul at 01:36 AM on January 19, 2006
Comment | Send-to-Friend

Arizona swept in Oregon for the first time since 2000
In a game that the Cats needed to get back on track, they once again fell flat on their faces. I, for one, thought that they would roll over a very dissapointing Oregon squad that was winless in the Pac-10, but once again, I was mistaken. After their 10-point loss to Oregon State on Thursday night, one would think they would respond like a Arizona team should, and has in the past but not this time. They could not stop the ball screens, could not rebound, and could not get over that hump at the end of the game. Oregon made 9 of 16 from beyond the arc, and Malik Hairston showed why he was one of the top recruits in the nation, two years ago. He finished with 23, including 19 of those points in the second half. Shakur led the Cats in scoring for the second straight game, but in a losing effort, with 19 points but only 2 assists. The Wildcats only had 5 assists in the game and struggled shooting the ball all game long(42.6%). WIth Arizona's defense being heralded so much, before the Pac-10 season began, the Oregon schools averaged 58% shooting in the two games. But the main thing is that our team needs to start playing as a whole instedad of just a few good individual performances, every now and then. Otherwise, we will be watching the WIldcats home in March, and in the NIT?

Posted by Nicholas Sproul at 12:39 PM on January 15, 2006
Comment | Send-to-Friend

The Arizona Men's Basketball team were upset on Saturday night by the Houston Cougars 69-65. It was a game where the Cats were sloppy all night long. They shot 39% in the game, and Hasaan Adams and Chris Rodgers was benched for the beginning of the game for missing a team meeting. ``We were in a panic mode,'' Coach Olsen said. ``I'm disappointed they let their teammates down, but that's exactly what they did.'' The Cats were playing from behind the entire game and Adams was instrumental in helping the Cats from not getting blown out as he put in 21 points and grabbed 9 boards. What was most impressive was the play of Oliver Lafayette of Houston, who shot 10 for 17, and poured in 28 on the Wildcats. And he was 7 of 11 from 3, but struggled at the free throw line, and tried to keep Arizona in the game. But the play of the Wildcats on defense, especially the play of true Freshmen J.P. Prince, who had 4 steals to go along with 4 points and 6 assists, was what saved them from complete embarassment. We all know as Wildcat fans, that Lute will rally these players and they will rebound from this and dominate the Pac-10 this season. The Cats face the Lumberjacks of NAU on Thursday night in McKale Center. NAU is 4-3 on the season. Tip-off is at 7:30pm.

Posted by Nicholas Sproul at 03:07 PM on December 04, 2005
Comment | Send-to-Friend

Last night at the McKale Center was the debut of a number of things. Marcus Williams, J.P. Prince, and Fendi Onobun. But most importantly was the newly-found student section. People were lined up outside the arena nearly 5 hours before gametime in excitement for this new student section, as well as teh new season. And the Cats didnt miss a beat. Sonoma State kept it close for the first five minutes, as U of A stumbled out of the gate. But that would change fast as the Cats scored 64 first half points. The studnet section was able to stand the whole game, without getting heck from the grayhairs. But the whole upper deck seating area for teh students was vacant. Largely due to the fact that we were playing Sonoma State, a Division II team. But once the real games begin, starting with Virginia on November 27th, teams will hate coming to McKale Center. Chris Rodgers came off the bench and dropped in 19 for the Cats to lead all scorers. The most impressive were freshmen Marcus Williams, who in his debut in an Arizona uniform, scored 17 points and J.P. Prince, who also in his debut had 10 assists, and just two turnovers. When these two were in the game, they just looked so comfortable, unlike Walters and Brielmeyer. And Prince had a fake that was reminiscent of Dwyane Wade. But things definitely are looking up for the Cats, and I still think that the Scum Devils will not even come close to us, again this year. Whoever it is, ASU, UCLA, whatever, the Wildcats will be able to outscore anybody. THATS A FACT. And the student section is even more important. And I love it, Hassan loves it, Lute loves it, and even the Tucson community. And it means huge things for OUR team.

Posted by Nicholas Sproul at 02:18 PM on November 10, 2005
Comment | Send-to-Friend

Continue reading... »

Posted by Nicholas Sproul at 02:27 PM on October 15, 2005
Comment | Send-to-Friend

The McKale Center was full of fans ready for the beginning of the 2005-06 Arizona Basketball season. And the team did not dissapoint, with crazy introductions, the slam dunk contest and John Salley.

Continue reading... »

Posted by Nicholas Sproul at 12:43 PM on October 15, 2005
Comment | Send-to-Friend

Sophomore G/F Jawann McClellan appeal to be reinstated for the fall semester was denied by the NCAA. He will miss the first seven games, and if he stays in school, he can play on December 17th at Utah.

Continue reading... »

Posted by Nicholas Sproul at 02:32 AM on October 14, 2005
Comment | Send-to-Friend

Arizona Basketball officially opens the season with "McKale Madness", which will be held on Friday October 14th, starting at 9 pm. The event will include contests, giveaways, player introductions and a 3-point and slam dunk contest. The event will be hosted by former-NBA player and "Best Damn Sports Show Period" host, John Salley.

Posted by Nicholas Sproul at 12:00 AM on October 06, 2005
Comment | Send-to-Friend

Arizona Women's Basketball Star center Shawtinice Polk, died this morning at McKale Center after collapsing from a pulmanory blood clot in her lungs. She was only 22.

Continue reading... »

Posted by Nicholas Sproul at 04:37 PM on September 27, 2005
Comment | Send-to-Friend