Jeff Lund

Tonight. 7:30. McKale Center. The madness begins. It's not March, but who cares? Go anyway ÷ its still the Wildcats in postseason action.

There is no question the most popular sport on campus is men's basketball, but tonight, the volleyball team takes center stage.

You might remember this team.

A few hours prior to Midnight Madness, as fans started filing in to catch a glimpse of the No. 1 men's basketball team, one of the greatest moments in recent Arizona sports history was unfolding before a record crowd.

I didn't see many fans too bored as they watched freshman Kim Glass lead Arizona from being down 0-2 to No. 4 Stanford to beating the Cardinal and one of the best volleyball players in the world, Logan Tom.

There were 9,141 on hand to witness the event ÷ and this was simply a regular-season game with a little basketball incentive at the end.

If you have any pride as a Wildcat, or simply have nothing else to do, why not take a few hours out of your life and go watch as the Wildcats try to make another run at the national championship? (Last year, the team lost in the Final Four.) I mean, seriously, are you really going to study? Don't lie to yourself ÷ this is college. You should be going out and enjoying yourself and one of the best volleyball teams in the country.

And guys, there have been a lot of you taking girls to men's basketball games for date-type purposes. Well, the male ballers are out of town for the weekend, so what better way to get that all-important second date out of the way than by showing an open mind and taking her to watch some volleyball (just don't stare too hard at the spandex shorts). You will be surprised how addicting it is, and how amazing these athletes are.

It has always taken more promoting than it should to get fans to watch Arizona volleyball, but after the number of fans who were exposed to it as a part of Midnight Madness, tonight's NCAA Tournament game should be packed. If it isn't, Wildcat fans should be ashamed of themselves.

Forget that Arizona has 11 losses. Forget the Wildcats are playing the University of TexasöArlington.

It is an NCAA Tournament match for the Wildcat team that was screwed out of hosting last season, and yet still ended up in the Final Four.

This team not only deserves your respect because of last year's success, but because of its history of winning.

Under head coach Dave Rubio's guidance, Arizona has been to the Final Four, two Elite Eights and five Sweet Sixteens. The Wildcats have made it at least to the Elite Eight for the last two years.

There is no longer room for error; each match is a best-of-five season. If Arizona wins, it moves on. If not, well, you know what happens then.

But with Glass on the roster, chances are Arizona won't be seeing defeat this weekend. Glass set the record for kills in a season by a freshman, was named Pac-10 Freshman of the Year and is a candidate for All-American honors.

Still need a reason to go?

Arizona is 7-0 in postseason matches at McKale Center. In those matches, the Wildcats have won an astounding 21 of 26 games.

Whatever your reason may be, McKale Center tonight at 7:30 should be in your evening plans. Stop playing your online computer games, put your music pirating on hold or just start your Thursday night drinking at 9:30 rather than 7:30.

The Arizona volleyball team deserves it, and you have earned a nice break after all that hard work so far this semester (er · just keep procrastinating).