Ruling potentially crippling to team's chances next season

The NCAA yesterday denied a petition by the Arizona athletic department that would have made the defending NCAA runner-up immune to the new "5-8" scholarship limit rule.

The "5-8" rule states that a program cannot give more than five scholarships in one year and no more than eight in two years.

While the Wildcats expected the ruling - no NCAA team this year has successfully appealed the rule - officials in the athletic department and men's basketball program are clearly disappointed with the outcome.

UA senior associate athletic director Kathleen "Rocky" LaRose said yesterday Arizona is considering legal action to prevent the rule's implementation.