Edgerson has breakout game

Charles C. LaBenz Arizona Daily Wildcat Arizona freshman forward Eugene Edgerson looks for a rebound against Oregon State's Rob Williams in the UA's victory Saturday night. Edgerson's enthusiasm helped pull the Wildcat's out of their slump after the road losses to the California schools.

Enter Eugene Edgerson.

Edgerson, a freshman forward, came off the bench to provide Arizona with a big lift over the Oregon schools, helping Arizona defeat the Oregon Ducks, 88-66 on Saturday. More importantly, though, he helped the team realize that basketball can again be a fu n game.

"Eugene just comes out with so much enthusiasm, that it makes you proud to be playing with him," UA sophomore guard Jason Terry said.

"I just want to come in and play hard, and my teammates have been very supportive of my play," Edgerson said. "They say 'Gene, all we need is for you to go out and give all you can,' and that's what I do."

Edgerson finished the two-game homestand with 10 points and 10 rebounds in just 30 minutes of play. Yet the stats don't give an accurate account of what Edgerson brings to the table.

"The thing you know about Eugene is that there is going to be a lot of contact," UA head coach Lute Olson said. "Tonight, he was three for four, and what we tell him is to just rebound, defend and clean up stuff that comes to you underneath."

Even though Edgerson gave the Wildcats a much needed lift this weekend, he is still far from having free reign as a shooter.

"We just need Eugene to do what he can, and I think he did that tonight. That's setting screens, rebounding and playing defense," Olson said. "We don't need him out there shooting 15, 12 or even seven-foot jump shots. I think he knows this and is happy wi th his role because he sees himself as a physical, hard-nosed player."

Edgerson's emergence also allows the Wildcats more flexibility in covering the post. If Arizona gets into foul trouble on the road, they now have the ability to bring another quality performer off the bench.

"Right now, we feel comfortable with four guys in those two spots," Olson said. "So we can use our extra guys to maybe tire-out opposing big-men."

While Edgerson excels in his Dennis Rodman-like role, he is still far from a complete player.

"The next step for Eugene to be a good player is for him to turn into a gym rat," Olson said. "And he's not and he never has been. He will limit his potential by not spending time with himself, a ball and a basket."