One writer's wish list for next year

By Scott Bricer
Arizona Daily Wildcat
May 6, 1997

One writer's wish list for next year

For the last column of the year, I figured I should take time to think about plans for the coming year, and the things I would wish for if I were any of the notables listed below. So I grab my lamp, give it a gentle rub and wait for my genie to appear:

For Lute Olson- What can you get for the man who has everything? How about a bigger trophy case to hold the hardware from back-to-back NCAA titles?

For Miles Simon- Pac-10 player of the year honors, a spot on the All-America first team and continued improvement in the classroom.

For Mike Bibby- His junior year as an Arizona Wildcat.

For Dick Tomey- A dozen long stem red ones.

For Keith Smith- A good pair of Isotoner gloves so his hands don't get cut on the thorns.

For Joe Salave'a- A seventh and eighth year of eligibility to make sure he is ready for the NFL.

For Rick LaRose- The honor of being the first coach to lead both the men's and women's golf teams to NCAA titles in the same year.

For Marisa Baena- A third-straight individual national championship, after she brings home her second title at this year's tournament, two weeks from now.

For Joan Bonvicini- A win against Stanford, Pac-10 coach of the year honors and a trip to the Sweet Sixteen and beyond.

For Adia Barnes- A one-way, first-class ticket to the WNBA... no questions asked. The Phoenix Mercury await so your Tucson fans can still watch you play.

For Kenny Lofton- 100 stolen bases and a World Series ring.

For Damon Stoudamire- A spot in the rafters of McKale Center for jersey No. 20.

For Jud Buechler- The continued pleasure of playing with basketball's greatest scorer of all time and the patience to deal with the antics of whatshisname.

For Steve Kerr- See Jud Buechler.

For Jerry Stitt- An invitation to the regional tournament. Close your eyes, cross your fingers and wish REAL hard.

For Mike Candrea- What else but another national title and a much deserved coach of the year award?

For Alison Johnsen- The Rickey Henderson Award, honoring the best lead-off hitter of all time.

For Jim Livengood- The Sears Director's Cup trophy.

For Jessie Evans- A berth in the 1998 NCAA Tournament West Region and a first round matchup against No. 1 seed Arizona.

For Stephen Jackson- A spot in the rotation at UA when he isn't taken in the first round of the NBA draft.

For Dave Sitton- A win against the California rugby team and an extension of the broadcast agreement with KTTU Channel 18.

A personal wish for myself and my boy Ivan- the head coaching job in Chapel Hill, North Carolina when the Dean of college basketball retires.

Scott Bricker covers golf for the Wildcat.