Commentary: What home court advantage?

Zona Zoo student section has seen weak attendance for men's basketball's first three home games

By Bryan Roy

It feels as if Lute Olson isn't the only one to retire from the Arizona men's basketball program this season. In what was a generally well-attended student section through the thick and thin of last season, Zona Zoo has diluted into a mediocre social gathering, at best, during this season's first three home games.

'This isn't your dad's Arizona'

Coach Pennell: Beauty or beast, any type of win is important for men's basketball

By Lance Madden

Just five games into the season and Arizona men's basketball interim head coach Russ Pennell gave his players a self-described "State of the Team Address" Monday before practice. There wasn't much interaction: Pennell talked and the players listened. He had UA's statistics written on a board alongside opponent statistics to highlight the good, the bad and the ugly.

Men's hoops coach search kept secret

Livengood careful to approach his pool of about a dozen candidates

By Bryan Roy

College basketball entered its second month of operations as the calendar struck December. Just five more until there is a legitimate push for Lute Olson's permanent successor. And until then, UA athletic director Jim Livengood can't do too much publicly out of respect for the privacy of potential candidates.

Volleyball players receive Pac-10 awards

Three UA volleyball players were recognized for their play during the 2008 season by the Pacific 10 Conference Monday. Sophomore outside hitter Tiffany Owens was named to the All-Pac-10 Team's Honorable Mention, and freshmen Dana Hutchinson and Courtney Karst were tabbed as honorable mentions to the conference's All-Freshman Team.

Football notes: Rivalry game brings urgency to Sun Devils

By Ari Wasserman

During the past two seasons, Arizona's annual rivalry game with ASU became synonymous with a must win if the Wildcats hoped to play in a bowl game. Both games during the past two seasons Arizona had a postseason berth on the line and both times the Sun Devils ruined the Wildcats' chances, winning 28-14 in Arizona Stadium in 2006 and squeaking by with a 20-17 win last season in Tempe.

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