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Governing Texas

Not to be a homer, or someone who lets his school pride eke out in his commentaries, but what a weekend it was for the Wildcats.

Three of Arizona's teams took their talents to the Lone Star State in search of one thing - victories, obviously.

The men's basketball team looked to continue its undefeated season with a win over the No. 9 Longhorns, starting a stretch of battling three teams in the top 10 in the next eight days. The women's volleyball team just wanted to keep its season alive and get out of Austin with two victories and a meeting with Stanford in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, while the men's and women's swimming teams headed on the road for perhaps the most important meet of the season, the Texas Invitational.

Not to mention what was happening back here at home, the Icecats took to the frozen pond at the Tucson Convention Center with the knowledge that the Arizona State IceDevils were waiting for a challenge.

Four teams with big games, big meets, a season at stake, bragging rights on the line and an undefeated season in jeopardy.

With all these teams in Texas, it wasn't like UA didn't have any support at all of these events, and as a result - along with exceptional play and individual excellence - the Wildcats came home undefeated, unscathed and with medals and records in hand.

One down, three to go

The men's hoops team came out sloppy, turning the ball over 13 times in the first half, but came out soaring in the second as Richard Jefferson poured in 19 points as he entered "the zone" for the first time this year. He scored eight points in a row at one time, with six of those coming off of two three-pointers.

The rest of the team put in their fair share as well, and the Wildcats took game one of this arduous three-game stretch, in which they will see Connecticut tomorrow night in Chicago as part of the Great Eight and Michigan State on Saturday afternoon on CBS.

How "Sweet" it is

The women's volleyball team entered the NCAA Tournament with a major disadvantage hanging over its shoulder: serious trouble defeating ranked teams in 1999. But, with a first-round match against the unranked Virginia Cavaliers ahead of them in Austin, the Wildcats flew to the Lone Star State with confidence and the knowledge that with a win, the possibility of facing one of their old teammates Erin Aldrich of Texas was looming. With a sweep over UVA and UT own defeat over Houston, all was going to plan for Arizona. Unfortunately, though, for Aldrich and the Longhorns, the Wildcats ruined their plans, sweeping them in their in their own building, 15-8, 15-6, 15-7. With the win, UA earned the right to travel to Stanford to play the Cardinal in Maples Pavilion, and that folks, is HUGE. The Wildcats meet the Cardinal next weekend.

Bringin' home the brass

The pool water proved to be warm for both the men's and women's squads as they dominated in the Texas Invitational. Freshman Amanda Beard proved why she was good enough for the U.S. Olympic team, crushing the American record in the 100-yard breaststroke on Saturday. That, though, was something the Wildcats were already used to as on Friday sophomore Roland Schoeman set the U.S. Open record in the 50-yard freestyle. That means he swam the fastest ever on U.S. soil in the event. The men's 400-yard medley relay squad also swam a meet record time of 3:33.61. These swimmers apparently don't like to get all wrinkly, because they don't stay in the pool for too long.

A.S.Who?

The Ice Devils came in ready to fight, brawl, scratch and claw their way to the top of the state in college hockey. But the Icecats had other thoughts in mind.

After a stalwart effort by both squads resulting in a 3-3 tie on Friday night, head coach Leo Golembiewski's Icecats had seen enough.

UA and ASU once again were even, but this time for only two periods. During the third period, the Icecats lit up the "Madhouse on Main," scoring four of the five goals in the period, resulting in a 7-4 UA victory.

The Ice Devils were once again sent home packing with their tails between their legs; meanwhile the UA teams in Texas flew home with major bragging rights, but also with the knowledge that finals are looming.