If there were ever a time for John Mackovic to prove his coaching mettle, it would be tomorrow in Arizona Stadium.

A win against the No. 9 Cougars (6-1, 3-0 Pacific 10 Conference) this weekend would be the most improbable victory of Mackovic's tenure, if not longer.

For the second time this season, the Wildcats (3-4, 0-3 Pac-10) have to take on a top 10 team coming off a bye week. The first time, against Oregon, Arizona lost 31-14. [Read article]

When the Arizona and Arizona State volleyball teams go head-to-head, records and rankings can be thrown out the window.

The heated rivalry will take center stage tonight as both UA and ASU are ranked for the first time since 1995.

The No. 16 Wildcats (10-7 overall, 5-4 Pacific 10 Conference) are out for revenge because the No. 19 Sun Devils (10-4, 6-3 Pac-10) are looking to sweep the season series between the teams, after breaking out the broom on the Wildcats earlier in the season and beating UA 3-0 in Tempe. First serve is set to take place at 7 p.m. in McKale Center. [Read article]

Before you even think about going to the football game tomorrow night, you must not miss two other monumental Family Weekend events.

First off, Lute Olson's sickly talented team has a scrimmage that is open to the public tomorrow at noon. This will be like watching two top 10 teams play each other ÷ a definite must if you wish to give your parents the full Family Weekend experience.

If you are a student dedicated to giving your parents the full low-down on the important things on campus, it must include a trip to McKale Center for reasons other than having your folks pick up some fresh new Wildcat gear from the McKale Sports Stop. [Read article]

The Madhouse on Main Street will open up its doors once again tonight, as the Arizona Icecats are set to start its 24th season of competition with a two-game set today and tomorrow against intrastate rival Arizona State.

The puck drops both nights at 7:30 at the Tucson Convention Center.

"They've already played six games, so I expect (ASU) to be tough this weekend," head coach Leo Golembiewski said. "Obviously, each time we play them it's a grudge match that extends to more than just hockey, for both schools." [Read article]

Trees, grass and cold.

A trio of elements that most Arizonans are not accustomed to will be part of what the Arizona soccer team (5-7-1) faces this weekend in a trip to the Oregon schools.

Tonight, the Wildcats, who are 0-3-0 in the Pacific 10 Conference after dropping two to the ranked Los Angeles schools, will play at Pape Field, a venue that boasts the second-highest attendance average in the Pac-10 at 778 people a game to support their Ducks, despite a 1-10-2 (0-3-1) record. [Read article]

The UA men's water polo team will look to make waves this weekend when it holds the Southwest Conference Tournament.

The tournament stakes will be an automatic bid to the national tournament at Cal-Poly San Luis Obispo.

The Wildcats (9-0) are currently ranked tied with Oregon State University at No. 7 in the national polls. Junior Anthony Delorenzo captains the Southwestern Conference-leading Wildcats, aided by strong support around him. [Read article]

Arizona men's golfer Ricky Barnes helped the United States get off to a strong start yesterday at the World Amateur Golf Championship in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, as he carded a three-under 69 to put the U.S. in the overall lead after the first round of play.

Barnes' three-under 69 combined with teammate Hunter Mahan's four-under 68 to give Team USA a first-round total of 137 (-7) and the overall lead by five strokes. France (142) is in second place, one stroke ahead of five teams tied for third at 143. [Read article]

Q: How many straight times has UA defeated Washington State on Family Weekend?

A: Three times.