Cats hope to avoid early tourney exit against Trojans

A new attitude has gripped the Arizona's men's basketball team as the Wildcats prepare to begin the second season tonight against an old foe.

After a regular-season split, with both teams winning on their home courts, that familiarity seems to be breeding intensity, if not contempt.

"Playing against someone you know, you want to kill them and take their heart," Arizona shooting guard Salim Stoudamire warned. [Read article]

Two years ago, Jay John moved on from the ranks of the UA men's basketball coaching staff to a head coaching position with Oregon State. His OSU program, once one of college basketball's powerhouses, made big strides this season, notably in upset home wins over then-No. 14 Arizona and rival Oregon.

But the Beavers stumbled in their final game of the season Saturday against Southern California, falling to ninth in the Pac-10 and missing a bid to the conference tournament. [Read article]

Name: Alicia Hollowell

Year: Sophomore

Position: Pitcher

From: Suisun City, Calif.

Last week, sophomore Alicia Hollowell pitched a perfect game against Indiana, striking out 20 of the 21 batters she faced. She also struck out three in one inning of relief against UTEP, earning her third consecutive Pac-10 Pitcher of the Week award. Her 20 strikeouts in a seven-inning game are a UA record and the second-best total in NCAA history. [Read article]

With less than three weeks until the Pac-10 schedule begins, the Arizona baseball team is trying to work into midseason form.

Head coach Andy Lopez thinks this weekend's Express College Classic in Round Rock, Texas will help prepare his team for the upcoming Pacific 10 Conference season and possible postseason.

"Every night, you see a different opponent," Lopez said. "It has a postseason atmosphere, and it will be good for (the players) to see where they are." [Read article]