After losing five of its last seven games — with all five losses coming on the road — the Arizona women’s basketball team returns home to take on California (13-7, 5-4 Pacific 10 Conference) tonight and No. 4 Stanford (18-2, 9-0 Pac-10) on Saturday.

“”We’ve got to be ready to take advantage of our home-court advantage,”” said Arizona coach Niya Butts. “”We have to be the aggressor. We have to play well and execute our game plan. If we can do that, it certainly gives you more confidence.””

Confidence has never been an issue this season for the Wildcats (13-7, 4-5 Pac-10), but it might be a little lacking after losing at Cal and Stanford — both by at least 20 points — three weeks ago.

“”We didn’t have a good showing on the West Coast in the regard,”” Butts said. “”It’s our job to make sure we take care of business on this end. They’re going to be two tough teams coming in here to play, and we have to take advantage of us being at home.””

Butts went on to say that playing well at home this weekend could translate into more success on the road as the season wears on.

Senior forward Soana Lucet thinks that playing at home could be the cure for Arizona’s recent struggles.

“”Our routine, our own bed and home court and our fans, it just makes us feel better,”” Lucet said. “”We just have to focus on what (Butts) has been talking about all year. We have to take care of the things that we can.””

Although it’s easier to find a routine playing at home compared to playing on the road, Butts said that there isn’t anything specific the Wildcats do when playing at McKale.

“”It’s more of the schedule. You know what’s going to happen next and you know what to expect,”” Butts said of playing at home. “”In terms of us being all together, it’s just basically know exactly what you’re going to do and the schedule is set.

“”There’s no toss-up of when we’re going to be able to get shoot around in, or pre-game is going to be catered in or outside of the hotel, you don’t have to deal with any of those things. You know what you’re doing, and there’s always some comfort in that.””

Lucet said that she’s just ready to get back on the court and hopefully take care of business at home.

“”We’re undefeated at home so it gives us a little more confidence,”” Lucet said. “”We’re ready for Cal. We haven’t beat them in a long time, and it’s going to be on.””