Oct. 23, 2008

Lute Olson announces his retirement.

Oct. 24

Russ Pennell is named interim head coach after Mike Dunlap turns down the job.

Oct. 28

Lute Olson’s doctor, Steven D. Knope, announces that Olson suffered a stroke sometime within the last year.

Nov. 6

Matt Brase, Olson’s grandson, is named an assistant coach. Russ Pennell’s father, Dewey, is named the team’s director of basketball operations.

Nov. 18

Jamelle Horne dives at UAB’s Paul Delaney III with less than a second to go, fouling the guard at halfcourt. The Blazers beat Arizona 72-71.

Dec. 8

Arizona gives freshman Jeff Withey a release to transfer to Kansas. The Richard Jefferson Gymnasium is officially opened.

Dec. 14

Arizona upsets then-No. 4 Gonzaga in Phoenix’s U.S. Airways Center, 69-64.

Dec. 23

Defending national champion Kansas goes down in McKale Center, 84-67.

Jan. 24, 2009

Arizona beats Houston 96-90 in overtime after trailing by 10 with less than a minute to go in regulation. Houston’s Aubrey Colman’s stomp on Chase Budinger’s face ignites the win.

Feb. 7

The Wildcats complete a road sweep of the Oregon schools, marking the team’s only true road wins of the season.

Feb. 14

Arizona beats then-No. 11 UCLA, the last win in Arizona’s seven-game win streak.

March 12

ASU beats the Wildcats for the third time this season, and the fifth straight time overall, in the first round of the Pacific 10 Conference Tournament.

March 14

Olson is inducted into the Pac-10 Hall of Honor in Los Angeles.

March 15

UA coaches and players watch the Selection Show together in the Lohse Room and find out Arizona has made it into the NCAA Tournament for the 25th consecutive season.

March 20

Wildcats defeat No. 5 seed Utah in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, 84-71.

March 22

Arizona’s 21st win of the season comes against No. 13 seed Cleveland State, 71-57.

March 27

Arizona ends season with a 103-64 loss to Louisville in the Sweet 16.