Arizona pummels Cal, leads by 30 in 2nd half

Arizona men's basketball head coach Lute Olson mentioned earlier this week that the fourth No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament was there for the taking for his Wildcats.

It all depended, he said, on how a few teams perform in their respective conference tournaments this weekend.

With an 83-66 win over California (13-16, 6-12) yesterday in first-round action of the Pacific 10 Conference Tournament, Arizona made its own case for a top seed at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. [Read article]

The Arizona women's basketball team knows all too well the difference a year can make.

Last season, the Wildcats tied Stanford for the Pacific 10 Conference championship, posting a 24-9 overall record and 14-4 conference mark.

Arizona entered the 2005 season picked to tie Stanford in the preseason Pac-10 women's basketball media poll, but because of frequent injuries finished 19-11, 11-8 and fifth in the conference. [Read article]

While spring break to many college students means partying in Mexico and sleeping late, it means a full slate of games for the No. 12 Arizona baseball team.

The Wildcats (12-5) play eight games in 10 days, starting with a three-game series against Mississippi State (8-0) tonight through Sunday at Sancet Stadium.

The teams play tonight at 7, tomorrow at 4 p.m. and Sunday at noon.

Arizona also plays UNLV (3-13) Tuesday at 7 p.m. and Wednesday at 3 p.m. at home before venturing off on its toughest road test of the season March 18-20. [Read article]

Rest and relaxation? Not on the spring break agenda for the No. 1 Arizona softball team.

The Wildcats (15-0) take the field today for the UNLV Tournament in Las Vegas, and then travel to Fullerton, Calif., for the Kia Klassic March 18-20.

"We're coming out here in practice, and we're trying to put ourselves together, but the thing that's going to tell about our team is taking us out on the road and just seeing where we are," said sophomore center fielder Caitlin Lowe. [Read article]

The stakes are high, and the players seem ready.

The divers on the Arizona swimming and diving teams hope to join their NCAA- qualifying teammates at the Zone E Diving Championships today in Oklahoma City, Okla.

The competition is crucial, as it determines which divers will move on to the NCAA Championships.

Arizona head diving coach Michele Mitchell-Rocha said seniors Daniela Bemme, Claire Febvay and junior John Collier will be the main attractions looking for a berth. "Daniela, John and Claire have been there before, but it's still going to be tough for them to qualify," Rocha said. Mitchell said that each of the three divers is in a good place right now, staying healthy and injury-free. [Read article]

They can leave, but they will always be remembered.

The Gymcats' practice facility is outlined with pictures of past Arizona gymnasts who flourished in their time here. Soon, Arizona will be putting up some more photos.

Tonight, six seniors will be participating in their last home meet for the Arizona gymnastics team: Monica Bisordi, Katie Johnson, Jamie Schell, Stevie Fanning, Jamie Duce and Kristine Harper. [Read article]

The Arizona men's golf team will not have much time to rest over break, as it plays in both the Anteater Invitational and the Hall of Fame Invitational.

"I expect to compete well," said Arizona assistant coach John Knauer. "We're very deep."

The Anteater Invitational, a junior varsity event, will be held in Irvine, Calif., Monday and Tuesday. The Wildcats finished sixth out of 10 teams in the competition last season. [Read article]

The Arizona men's tennis team has a tough test at home this weekend.

Before the Wildcats can enjoy their spring break, No. 42 Arizona (7-4, 1-2 Pacific 10 Conference) has to face No. 9 Southern California (6-5, 3-1) today at 1:30 p.m. and No. 8 UCLA (12-2, 2-1) tomorrow at 1 p.m. Both games are at Robson Tennis Center.

"This is one of our two biggest weekends," said Arizona head coach Bill Wright. "The other is when Cal and Stanford come to town. We're very optimistic and excited." [Read article]

Individual and team championships will be on the line this weekend when eight members of the Arizona track and field teams compete in the NCAA Indoor Championships today and tomorrow in Fayetteville, Ark.

The eight members, four from both the men's and women's teams, are the most the university has ever sent to the NCAAs. They will compete in a total of nine events.

Those qualified include junior distance runners Jonah Maiyo in the mile and junior Robert Cheseret in both the 3000m and 5000m runs. [Read article]

The Arizona men's club lacrosse team gets another shot at a still-fresh rivalry this weekend in Southern California.

The Laxcats (4-2) meet No. 14 UC-San Diego in La Jolla, Calif., Sunday at 1 p.m. and will try to avenge themselves against a Triton team that crushed their playoff hopes two seasons ago.

"We've got some paying back to do," said Arizona senior goaltender Greg Abdouch.

The Laxcats clash heads with the two schools representing San Diego in the West Coast Lacrosse League in their first road trip of the season. [Read article]