KEVIN KLAUS/Arizona Daily Wildcat In a rare open practice on Saturday, freshman Hassan Adams fights for a ball with sophomore Dennis Latimore.

More than 1,500 fans showed up early Saturday morning to watch the Arizona men's basketball team scrimmage for 35 minutes in McKale Center.

It was the team's first open practice in nearly two years, and it might have attracted the biggest crowd ever to watch an open scrimmage at UA.

"I think it was a great crowd," Arizona head coach Lute Olson said. "It helps get the adrenaline going as tired as the guys are."

After practicing seven out of the last eight days, Olson did not keep the full court press on during the second half of the scrimmage.

"We were too tired to do it effectively," Olson said. "That is not going to happen in a game situation where we have everyone on one team."

Arizona was playing shorthanded Saturday, missing sophomore guard Salim Stoudamire, who suffered a mildly sprained left ankle Wednesday. Stoudamire did participate in light drills on the sideline and will return to practice today. Also freshman forward Chris Dunn was hampered with a hip injury but did play in the scrimmage.

But the injuries did not take away any excitement in the game where freshmen Andre Iguodala and Hassan Adams, along with sophomore Will Bynum, continued to delight the crowd with their athletic ability.

The teams were split up similarly to the way the Wildcats scrimmaged during Midnight Madness. Jason Gardner led the blue team ÷ which included Rick Anderson, Adams, Iguodala, Fil Torres and Isaiah Fox ÷ in a 97-93 win.

"I don't know how many times we've had full-court scrimmages, but every game has been within one basket,'' said Jim Rosborough, associate head coach. "Nobody out there wanted to lose, either. Guys were getting a little bit heated."

Gardner won the game for the blue team when he hit a pair of free throws with two seconds left. The point guard was sent to the line after freshman Chris Rodgers fouled him 30 feet away from the basket with the game tied at 93. Senior Luke Walton then attempted a full-court pass that sailed out of bounds. Iguodala added an easy concession dunk to put the blue team up by four.

Adams was the game's leading scorer, finishing with 28 points. Fox was the leading rebounder with 12 and he also added 16 points. Gardner dished out 15 assists. Sophomore center Channing Frye had 20 points and 10 rebounds. Anderson made four of seven three-pointers; Walton hit three of five from long range and finished with 25 points. Rodgers went seven of seven from the free-throw line.

UA did not practice yesterday but will get back to work today. Arizona will hold another free open scrimmage Saturday and Olson said it would tentatively start at 10 p.m.

After the scrimmage, hundreds of children from the Special Olympics were allowed on the McKale Center floor and were given the chance to shoot around with the UA players and coaching staff.

Olson, who introduced the four freshmen to the crowd, has been holding clinics like this once a year for the last 15 years.

"With all of our games on television, all the people in the clinic will have contact with all of the players," Olson said. "Now when they see a game on TV they can say I know him, I know him."

After the clinic the players autographed posters for the kids.

Speaking of games on television, the 2002-2003 schedule was released on Thursday and all games will be televised, at least on local television.

However, the Arizona-Oregon game on Jan. 2 is still fighting for a time slot either on Fox Sports Arizona or on KWBA.

The Nov. 6 Red-Blue scrimmage will not be televised, but the two exhibition games will be on KWBA.

ESPN analyst Dick Vitale was in Tucson last week ÷ not to do a story about the Wildcats, but rather for a speaking engagement with Bank One.

However, he did end up stopping by practice for an hour and said he can see why he picked UA No. 1.

"They are No. 1 with me, baby, and they did nothing to disappoint me when I watched them in action," said Vitale in his column for ESPN.com (keyword Vitale).

"Arizona has two legitimate All-Americans: point guard Jason Gardner and forward Luke Walton. The diaper dandies are for real, too. Andre Iguodala is the real thing. I can assure you that he can flat-out play.

"Hassan Adams · is athletic and quick as can be. Looking at the perimeter game, Salim Stoudamire is better than ever. And wait until you see Will Bynum, baby!"

After practice Olson went out to dinner with Vitale and his wife.