Jim Johnson sports editor ('60),-UA journalism professor emeritus

Football: Arizona vs. Washington

The Cats will have to call Ortege Jenkins and his somersaulting techniques out of retirement to have a chance against the Huskies. Many alums will remember his flip into the end zone to beat Washington in Seattle in 1999. It's unlikely the Cats have anyone on this squad who can replicate those acrobatics.
Washington 31, Cats 14

How far will the 2003-2004 Arizona men's basketball go this season?

Jason who? The Cats' new point guard Mustafa Shakur will make fans soon forget about Jason Gardner. Shakur is blazing fast to the basket but it's too soon to tell about his outside shot. But who needs outside shooters with Salim Stoudamire firing them up from 3-point range? Channing Frye will dominate inside. The Cats will win the Pac-10 easily and make it to the Elite Eight just like last year.

How far will the 2003-2004 Arizona women's basketball go this season?

Shawntinice Polk is the Shaq O'Neal of women's college basketball, but will she be enough? Dee Dee Wheeler and Aimee Grzyb will have to provide solid support. But are they as good as those other Huskies at UConn? It's unlikely. And the Cats may not even win the Pac-10. One win and out at the Big Dance.

Favorite homecoming moment or best experience while at the UA:

Putting aside Jenkins' back flip into the end zone, the best moment in my years of watching Wildcat athletics was the season-long dazzling play of the 1960 football team's sensational backfield. QB Eddie Wilson was a superb passer and Jackrabbit Joe Hernandez and Bobbie "The General" Thompson were elusive runners. That team finished 8-1-1. Those three players went on to become high draft choices with long careers in pro football.

Jeff Lund sports editor (Spring '03)-high school teacher

Football: Arizona vs. Washington

A kid asked me in my third period class if I still "claimed to be a Wildcat" after UA lost to Cal a few weeks back. I told him that I was, and that if he said anything like that again I would give him an hour-long detention. Win or lose, I am an alumnus. Arizona is my school, and it will be a great weekend.

How far will the 2003-2004 Arizona men's basketball go this season?

It's weird being out of the loop, but one needs not be in any loop when discussing the outlook of head coach Lute Olson's team. The outlook is good. How good? Who knows - but what I know is this squad will be exciting and is one of the most talented in the nation. It doesn't have the sense of destiny of last year, but I won't get into that.

How far will the 2003-2004 Arizona women's basketball go this season?

Underrated no more, head coach Joan Bonvicini, along with her silver-tongued recruiters, have the Arizona women's basketball team on the verge of something special. Believe it or not, all the tools are there - a dominant, great-passing center in the middle, sweet-shooting guards, young legs ... and doubters to screw.

Favorite homecoming moment or best experience while at the UA:

I thought I would miss the people more than the school itself. However, when it comes down to it, there's nothing like hearing "Bear Down" at noon, walking across the mall just for kicks and being able to wear Reefs again rather than dress shoes for school. Can you say "tough actin' Tinactin?" Oh, and bring on Los Betos.

Maxx Wolfson & Dave Stevenson sports editor (Fall '02) & staff writer ('00-'03)-"Corporate America"

Football: Arizona vs. Washington

Corporate America made us realize that Tucson is locked in a vacuum and nothing changes, including the football team. In our four years, UA beat Washington only once, but it's gone from bad to worse. Instead of only losing games this year, we're now losing players! Our 401K is temporarily suspended in lieu of pending contributions to the athletic department.
Washington 47, Arizona 16

How far will the 2003-2004 Arizona men's basketball go this season?

Isaiah Fox stealing food from U-Mart? We thought he finished this renegade behavior. Now it's uncertain if he can remain in the lineup all throughout the season with possible suspensions. There are no second chances in the real world, buddy. Hope you learned your lesson. Arizona reaches the second round.

How far will the 2003-2004 Arizona women's basketball go this season?

One thing we have learned from the business world is that you need to treat everyone equally. I guess that is why there is this staff pick. But come on: women's basketball? At least let us analyze a team that wins something everyone once in a while. Yeah, the No. 22 ranking is nice, and Polkie and Dee-Dee are ballers, but expectations don't equal results. First round exit.

Favorite homecoming moment or best experience while at the UA:

Since both of our fraternities are pretty much on the brink of extinction, we decided to do a little something different this year for homecoming: beer pong. We have a beer pong table that resembles the Arizona Stadium field. Also, unlike inside the stadium, we have an unlimited supply of beer and talented players on the field. Don't believe me? Then come by and watch us take on Hottovy and Salmon. Wildcat alums in OT.

Chris Jackson sports editor (Fall Î98) ÷reporter/copy editor, Arizona Daily Star

Football: Arizona vs. Washington

Gosh, I'd love to pick my alma mater in this game. But I can't, because they're bad. Awful. Hideous. Dreadful. Horrifying. They've fallen so far since I covered them in 1998 that they keep digging a new bottom to hit. They're beginning to remind me of those heinous 1980s New Mexico Lobos teams my dad dragged me to see as a kid.
Huskies 38, Wildcats 17

How far will the 2003-2004 Arizona men's basketball go this season?

Thank God it's hoops season. We're so spoiled to have this team constantly regenerate itself no matter who is lost to graduation, the draft, and all the recent transfers. Still, to think this squad is good enough to win it all might be asking a bit much. They should win the Pac-10 fairly easily, but the conference is in a down year. They'll fall in either the Sweet 16 or Elite Eight.

How far will the 2003-2004 Arizona women's basketball go this season?

I'd rather watch paint dry or even (gasp) NASCAR than women's basketball. But working for a newspaper, you get stuck reading about it, like it or not. The UA women seem fairly good, with Polk potentially being an All-American. They'll finish second to Stanford in the Pac-10, then lose in the second round or Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament.

Favorite homecoming moment or best experience while at the UA:

Back in 1999, the Wildcat gathered a whole slew of alumni to celebrate its 100th anniversary. As the longest-serving active staff member at the time, I had the amusing task of bridging the gap between the people I'd known as freshmen with the current staff. Thankfully, the "old-timers" knew that universal solution to the vexing problem of the young'uns: Get 'em drunk and make fun of 'em. And who says we learned nothing in college?