No, it’s not a fashion statement.

Arizona guard Nic Wise played with a white sleeve on his right arm that went from his wrist to just above his elbow in last night’s game against Cal State-Fullerton. The sleeve was to keep the swelling in Wise’s arm down after he popped a bursar sac just above his elbow when he was elbowed against No. 4 Kansas on Sunday.

“”It was real sore the last few days,”” Wise said. “”It just swelled up real bad and liquid and pus dripped all down my (arm), and my hand was swollen and everything.””

After not practicing on Monday or Tuesday, the injury and the sleeve – which he must wear in games, practices and while he sleeps until he’s fully healed – did not seem to affect Wise last night as he dished out four assists and had three steals in 19 minutes.

Though he only hit 1-of-4 shots from the field – a 3-pointer – UA interim head coach Kevin O’Neill said Wise is the one that sparks the Wildcats.

“”He really gets us into offense better than anyone, including (guard) Jerryd (Bayless),”” O’Neill said. “”Nic’s a natural point guard.””

– Lance Madden