SAUL LOEB/Arizona Daily Wildcat Freshman guard Mustafa Shakur attempts to drive to the basket against the Sydney Comets in last week's exhibition game.

Isaiah Fox is ready to put his off-court troubles behind him and start playing basketball.

The 6-foot-9 forward will have to wait one more game, however, as he finishes his 2-game suspension imposed by head coach Lute Olson for shoplifting from a campus convenience store two weeks ago.

Fox missed last week's 109-66 win over Sydney and will sit out the Nike game this week.

"At least it's not a real game," Fox said. "I wish I was playing because (in) the exhibition game you get to work out some of the rustiness."

The Santa Monica native will see action in the Wildcats' season opener against Northern Arizona on Monday, but in a limited role due to his lack of playing time in the preseason.

"I'm going to have to play well at NAU and work hard," Fox said. "I really want to play, especially after the Red-blue game. I'm just ready to play."

The junior has shown no rustiness in the preseason, pouring in 30 points to go along with five rebounds in the annual Red-Blue game two weeks ago.

Stoudamire hobbled with minor leg injury

Injuries continue to be a sore spot for the Wildcats. Shooting guard Salim Stoudamire sat out yesterday's practice after taking a knee to his thigh.

The sharp-shooting sophomore is expected to return to practice today and shouldn't miss tomorrow's exhibition against Nike Elite, Olson said yesterday.

If Stoudamire is unable to practice or play against Nike, look for Chris Rodgers and Mustafa Shakur to split time in his place.

Last year, Stoudamire played in 30 of the Wildcats' 32 games, starting 27 of them.

The third-year letterwinner missed some action last season due to a high left ankle sprain.

Olson seeing improvement in key reserves Rodgers, Walters

Olson sang the praises of both Chris Rodgers and Kirk Walters during yesterday's press conference.

The coach views Rodgers as an essential cog to this year's squad.

"Chris will be one of our key players, whether he's in the starting lineup or being our version of Jason Terry," Olson said.

Rodgers likely won't start for the Wildcats this season, but should play a vital role off the bench the same way Terry did during the club's 1997 National Championship season.

"At the time that Jason played, I said that I'm more concerned by who finishes rather than who starts," Olson said.

According to Olson, the sophomore 2-guard needs to work on his rebounding skills and he also said that with Rodger's athleticism, he should be a much better rebounder on both ends of the court.

Walters continues to improve for the Wildcats despite being under the weight Olson would prefer him to be at.

Still, the 69-year-old coach likes what he sees in the freshman.

"Kirk gets better every day. We're pleased with him," Olson said. "His confidence is improving."

Cats will suffer disadvantage in height against bigger Nike team

Olson likes the progress his Wildcat squad has shown so far this preseason, but said the real test is yet to come. As expected, Olson will be looking to capitalize on the team's speed to create offense. He praised the offense for its work against exhibition foe Sydney.

"I think it was a case that they just didn't realize how quick we were up and down the court," Olson said. "Then they were missing shots, which allowed us to start the break. There isn't much you can do to stop the break when you miss shots."

Speed aside, the Wildcats will be put to the test on Thursday against Nike when Arizona faces its first look at a team with a height advantage.

"I think this will be a test for us in terms of dealing with bigger people as to how our lineup will be able to operate ÷ whether we'll be able to rebound with big people, whether we'll be able to defend big people," Olson said.

Team Nike no pushover for big-time D1 opponents thus far

When they take the court Thursday night in their preseason finale, the Wildcats could have their work cut out for them.

Nike, led by former Kansas standout Jeff Boschee, has been giving collegiate teams fits throughout its preseason tour.

The squad played No. 1 Connecticut and defending national champion Syracuse tough in recent weeks before eventually bowing out in both games.

Charles Wills poured in 20 points for Nike as the Elite lost a close one to No. 3 Michigan State, 84-80.

Nike was able to prevail over Penn State and Lehigh before being crushed by Stanford on Sunday night, 117-78.

The Elite have been in Tucson since Monday and should be well rested for tomorrow night's matchup on Lute and Bobbi Olson Court.