Isaiah fox

With the future of one of its veterans in doubt, the UA men's basketball team knows one thing for certain: It's time for the rest of the squad to step up.

Junior forward Isaiah Fox went under the laser late yesterday afternoon to repair a meniscal tear in his left knee. Fox is expected to miss three to four months of action.

While head coach Lute Olson was unaware earlier yesterday that Fox would miss such a significant amount of time, he was already bracing himself for the worst.

"We don't know whether they're going to have to go in and do some stitching or not," Olson said.

One of only five upperclassmen on the Wildcat roster, Fox has emerged as a vocal leader in the clubhouse. The injury suffered during Friday's 78-77 loss to Florida leaves the health of the 6-foot-9 Santa Monica, Calif. native on the minds of the Wildcats.

"We just hope for the best," sophomore Chris Rodgers said of Fox. "He's a big part of our team and I hope the surgery goes well. We need him back."

Fox's fellow big man, junior center Channing Frye, echoed Rodgers' thoughts.

"His enthusiasm he brings to the team is very important," Frye said. "I think we'll miss his attitude."

The injury to the big man leaves an already depleted Arizona lineup even thinner in the low post. From the onset of the season, Olson has warned of the potential devastation the Wildcat lineup would suffer with an injury or illness to one of its players.

SAUL LOEB/Arizona Daily Wildcat Freshman center Kirk Walters will need to step up and produce points rebounds in the paint for Arizona in the absence of Isaiah Fox, according to head coach Lute Olson.

With Fox on the shelf for an undisclosed amount of time, the continued strong play of Frye may become more vital than ever for the Wildcats. Frye has averaged 17.5 points and 10.5 rebounds per game in Arizona's first two games, and has emerged as a leader on the court.

Fox's departure from Arizona's lineup puts the emphasis on center Kirk Walters' development into a solid threat beneath the basket. The freshman will likely see his playing time increase dramatically with Fox out of action. In limited playing time this season, Walters has averaged 2.5 points per game and 3.0 rebounds.

So far this year, Olson has liked what he has seen in the 6-foot-10 frosh and thinks in time that he'll fit in nicely with the Wildcats' style of play.

"I'm not worried about Kirk," Olson said. "He needs time and needs experience. I think his confidence level has gotten better and better. Kirk gets better every day."

The increased game experience will allow Walters to get some quality time under his belt before the Pacific 10 Conference season begins in January.

While Fox's absence will hurt the Wildcats' depth, the players know what they have to do in order to be successful without him.

"We just have to help our bigs out inside," Rodgers said. "All the guards have to do a better job on the rebounds."

Fox saw limited action in the preseason due to a suspension after being arrested for shoplifting from a campus food mart. The junior returned to action in the Wildcats' opener, pouring in 15 points and snaring a team-high 11 boards against Northern Arizona.

The injury is particularly damaging to Fox, who entered the season trimmed down and quicker.

"I thought you were going to be surprised in the type of condition he was in, and he's quicker as a result of that," Olson said of Fox's off-season regimens. "His shooting has come a long way. He's finishing shots."

All may not be lost for Fox and the Wildcats if he is to miss most of the season. Because the injury was suffered just two games into the season, the forward may be able to redshirt his junior season.

If Fox's injury is severe, Olson may opt to place Fox on medical hardship waivers. According to NCAA policy, a player may apply for the redshirt only if he or she has competed in less than 20 percent of the team's games.

Fox would not be able to apply for the redshirt until the season is complete.