The Wildcats men’s basketball team is at McArthur Court in Eugene tonight to play the Ducks for second place in the Pac 10. (Oregon is tied with Cal a half game behind Arizona; Washington is another half game back.)
The ‘Cats have great athletes this year but don’t always succeed as a team. They’ve lost games to USC and Washington that they should have won.
To this observer the key seems to be Salim Stoudamire. When he’s hot, they’re nearly unbeatable. Last week he averaged 28.0 points against USC and UCLA and Arizona blew them both away. (Stoudamire was Pac 10 player of the week.)
A month ago I figured the Wildcats wouldn’t make the Sweet 16. Now I’m not so sure. After all, a fourth seed in the NCAA (which they’re on target for now, ranked 13/14) was ideal in 1997 (National Champions).
Tonight will be a good indication.