By
Chris Martin
Arizona Daily Wildcat
UA focuses on games, not suspension
LAHAINA, Hawaii - The UA men's basketball team did not need senior center Loren Woods yesterday as it defeated Chaminade 97-57 at the Maui Invitational.
Expect that to change today, when No. 2 Arizona faces Dayton and, if victorious, could possibly face No. 5 Maryland or No. 8 Illinois in the championship game of the Maui Invitational tomorrow.
Still, playing with out Woods is nothing new for the Wildcats, as the team played its final eight games last season without its star center, who was sidelined with a back injury.
"We have been through this last year with Loren being out with his injury," junior forward Michael Wright said. "So, it isn't nothing to new to me or all the players. We just went out there and played and just used our strengths."
Senior forward Justin Wessel started in Woods' place against Chaminade and did an admirable job in replacing last season's Pacific 10 Conference Newcomer of the Year. Wessel scored six points and had six rebounds in 21 minutes of play against the Silverswords.
Senior forward Eugene Edgerson also filled Woods' void in the middle by collecting seven rebounds to go along with his 13 points.
Wright bore the brunt of UA's low post work in Woods' absence, collecting a Maui Invitational record 19 rebounds.
"Michael indicated in the post game interview with ESPN that he went out to get this done for Loren," Olson said. "Just to indicate how much we missed having him here."
Wright said that he tried to out-hustle his Chaminade opponents.
"I just went in there and tried to grab every rebound and pick up his slack," Wright said. "That's what I did and I came out with 19 rebounds."
Arizona is currently appealing Woods' suspension and should hear from the NCAA tomorrow on whether or not the suspension will be reduced from six games to three games. If UA wins the appeal, Woods will join the team in Denver on Thursday en route to Indianapolis to play in the Wooden Tradition against Purdue.
If the suspension is upheld, Woods will miss the Purdue game along with home games against Gonzaga and St. Mary's. He would then be able to compete Dec. 9 in Storrs, Conn., against No. 13 Connecticut.
But, without Woods, who is in Tucson, the team is focused on playing today's opponent - Dayton.
"Whoever it is, we know it will be an outstanding team, and we will look forward to the competition," Olson said. " We know we are not at typical full strength, but I know this: whoever is out on the court is going to play hard and play team basketball."
Woods' suspension stems from the senior committing a "minor" NCAA violation, which is the reason why the preseason All-American was only suspended for six games.
According to ESPN.com, Woods received a benefit from a person with whom he had a pre-existing relationship. Sources said the center had known this person since the eighth grade.
"With Loren, we wish he were here, but he's not, so we have to do the best job that we can," Olson said. "He's a very important member of this team, and we look forward to his return."
Chris Martin can be reached at sports@wildcat.arizona.edu.
