Arizona looks to complete Texas sweep against Baylor

Associated Press Arizona Daily Wildcat Forward Michael Dickerson (23) looks to shoot over Texas defenders Gabe Muoneke (3) and Luke Axtell (44) during the first half of Satruday night's game against the Longhorns in Austin. Arizona plays Baylor tonight in Waco, Texas.

After defeating the Texas Longhorns 88-81 Saturday night thanks in part to junior guard Jason Terry's 20 points off the bench, the Wildcats travel to Waco, Texas tonight for the second half of their two-game trip in the Lone Star State.

Baylor (3-2) will play host to No. 4 Arizona (5-2) tonight at 5 p.m. Tucson time. The game can be seen on the ESPN2 network.

The Wildcats hope to get off to a good start, unlike what they did against the Longhorns. Texas jumped to a 11-2 lead 4:04 into the game and used the momentum to stay in most of the game. The preseason All-American tandem of senior Miles Simon and sophomore Mike Bibby contributed to the first half troubles, shooting a combined 4 of 15 from the floor.

The duo rebounded in the second half, as Bibby finished the night with 19 points and Simon had 20.

Simon also highlighted the night by gesturing a 'Hook'em Longhorns' hand signal to the crowd after he was fouled on a short jumper.

The Wildcat big men will have their hands full with the Bear's 6-foot-10 center Brian Skinner. Earlier this season, Skinner recorded a triple double - 24 points, 14 rebounds and 10 blocked shots - against Eastern Washington.

Baylor has not played since Dec. 3, a 73-68 victory over Arkansas State.

Under the weather

The competition may not be the Wildcats toughest opponent. Just staying healthy has been one of the biggest challenges for the Wildcats this season.

"We had a lot of guys come down with stuff after the trip back from Maui," head coach Lute Olson said. "In the gym it was 120 degrees, then they get out and get on an all too cold airplane. In the (Los Angeles International Airport), it was brutal in there. There was no heat and no place to get away from the cold, wetness, and dampness. I am sure that it where most of them picked up the problems."

Simon was put on medication last Sunday for the chest cold he had.

"The biggest problem when you have a chest cold like that, it effects your breathing," Olson said.

Many players, including sophomore forward Gene Edgerson, have been bothered with extremely sore throats.

"Too many climate changes," Olson said trying to explain his team's health problems.

Things should get a little better after tonight's game, the team doesn't go back on the road for 15 days when it will be in Tallahassee, Fla. for the Florida State game.

The line on Davison

Although Arizona fans have grown accustomed to seeing senior forward Bennett Davison rebound and throw down some nasty dunks, one thing they have not seen often is Davison at the charity stripe.

Davison has taken only two fouls shots, something of concern to Olson.

"To go to the line, you have to be aggressive and have to be involved," Olson said. "When we look at those stats and see someone in that situation, that is what hits us.

"If you are in the mix of things, you are going to get fouled and it is obvious that if you've only been to the line that much, you have not been in the mix of things."

Getting involved, however, has been Edgerson.

Edgerson has averaged 5.5 rebounds a game while playing 17.2 minutes. His involvement earned him a starting spot against UNC-Asheville. With his time on the court, Edgerson has taken 22 free throws.

"That is a good example of what I am talking about," said Olson about Edgerson's trips to the line. "They are in the same position. If one has been to the line 2 times in 50 minutes of play and the other has been at the line 18 times in 41 minutes it gives you an idea of who has been the most involved in the mix."

Olson was referring to the statistics before the Texas contest - Davison did not attempt a free throw and Edgerson was 0 for 4 from the line against the Longhorns.

No. 4 Arizona (5-2) vs. Baylor (3-2)

When: tonight at 5 p.m.

Where: Ferrell Center in Waco, Texas

TV/Radio: The game will be televised by ESPN2 and broadcast live by KNST (AM790)

What: Arizona completes two-game Texas trip against the Bears this evening ... Baylor's senior center Brian Skinner should pose the largest problem. Skinner had 10 blocks against Eastern Michigan earlier this season ... The Bears lost two players from last season's 18-12 team ... UA reserve Josh Pastner grew up in Kingwood, Texas.

This Week's AP Top 25

How the top 25 teams in The Associated Press' college basketball poll fared this week:

1. Duke (8-0) beat South Carolina State 98-40; beat North Carolina-Greensboro 93-37; beat Virginia 103-59.

2. Kansas (8-1) beat No. 4 Arizona 90-87; beat Emporia State 102-50; lost to No. 23 Maryland 86-83.

3. North Carolina (9-0) beat Louisville 81-72; beat Chattanooga 68-38; beat Virginia Tech 78-57.

4. Arizona (5-2) lost to No. 2 Kansas 90-87; beat Texas 88-81.

5. South Carolina (5-0) beat Belmont 72-61; beat Virginia Tech 74-73; beat Chattanooga 67-55.

6. Purdue (6-2) lost to No. 7 Kentucky 89-75; beat Louisville 87-69.

7. Kentucky (6-1) beat No. 6 Purdue 89-75; beat Indiana 75-62.

8. New Mexico (5-1) lost to No. 15 UCLA 69-58.

9. Xavier (5-0) beat Central Michigan 88-54; beat Western Kentucky 93-60.

10. Iowa (6-0) beat Drake 90-60; beat Rice 81-52; beat Weber State 81-56.

11. Utah (7-0) beat Providence 64-58; beat No. 24 Wake Forest 62-53.

12. Stanford (5-0) beat No. 21 Georgia 76-74.

13. Connecticut (7-1) beat West Virginia 88-75; beat Rutgers 59-44.

14. Mississippi (4-1) beat Long Island University 102-99; lost to Ball State 70-66.

15. UCLA (3-1) beat No. 8 New Mexico 69-58.

16. Fresno State (3-1) did not play.

17. Clemson (5-2) beat No. 23 Maryland 78-65, OT; beat Furman 71-62.

18. Arkansas (6-0) beat Bethune-Cookman 108-42; beat Missouri 75-46.

19. Florida State (6-1) beat Florida Atlantic 90-52; beat Jacksonville 74-44.

20. Temple (4-1) beat Michigan State 56-54; beat Wisconsin 59-49.

21. Georgia (5-2) lost to No. 12 Stanford 76-74.

22. Georgia Tech (5-1) lost to North Carolina State 71-69, OT; beat Delaware State 84-63.

23. Maryland (4-2) lost to No. 17 Clemson 78-65, OT; beat No. 2 Kansas 86-83.

24. Wake Forest (6-1) beat Davidson 61-56; lost to No. 11 Utah 62-53.

25. Princeton (6-0) beat North Carolina-Wilmington 63-50; beat Lafayette 73-48.