Wildcats hit road against Rice, Stephen F. Austin
After a pair of losses in the Arizona Basketball Classic during the weekend, the UA women's basketball team is searching for answers.
The Wildcats lost both games they played, including an 83-74 first-round loss to Holy Cross, and a last-second 81-80 decision to Pittsburgh, in the consolation championship round. For the first time all season, the Wildcats have found themselves in a slump that they haven't been able to dig themselves out of.
"We need to step up, toughen up and show up to play," UA head coach Joan Bonvicini said. "(The losses) are very disappointing and at home, you get your character tested."
Throughout the next few weeks, while the majority of UA students are enjoying their winter break, the Wildcats will try to get themselves back on track before Pacific 10 Conference play begins.
But the path won't be easy.
UA (3-3) begins its two-game Texas swing Sunday in Houston against Rice University.
Last weekend, the Owls (5-0) managed to stay undefeated, knocking off No.21 George Washington in the championship game of the Gene Hackerman Invitational.
After Rice tests UA on the road - where Arizona has lost its last nine games away from McKale Center, dating back to last season - the Wildcats will face Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches, Texas.
The Ladyjacks are 2-3 this season after destroying Western Illinois, 72-49, on Saturday.
As if the non-conference matchups aren't daunting enough, Arizona will return home just before Christmas to open the Pac-10 season.
The Wildcats will face national powerhouse Stanford on Dec. 19 and California on Dec. 21.
The Cardinal have lived up to their reputation as one of the nation's elite programs so far this season.
Stanford is coming off of a 94-62 home victory over Santa Clara on Sunday, improving its record to 8-0 on the season.
Cal (4-1) was handed its first loss of the season by No. 13 Georgia Sunday in the championship game of the Oakland Tribune Classic.
The Wildcats will take on in-state rival Arizona State in Tempe on Dec. 30.
ASU is coming off a 59-56 win against Rutgers in the ASU Holiday Classic.
Continuing on the road, UA wraps up its winter break with a pair of matches in Oregon, beginning with Oregon on Jan. 4 and Oregon State on Jan. 10.
Bonvicini said the Wildcats have plenty to work on between now and the end of winter break. Among her top goals are improving the Wildcats' rebounding and turnover percentage.
UA turned the ball over 31 times in Sunday's loss to unranked Pittsburgh.
Despite the Wildcats' recent losing skid, freshman guard Dee-Dee Wheeler said the team must put the losses behind them.
"We need to keep our head up high," Wheeler said. "We had a hard weekend, but next weekend is another weekend. We need to play up to the level of our opponents."
