Arizona Sweeps LA Schools, Brings Excitement Back to Tucson

One thing has always haunted the Wildcats -- their inability to finish games.

On Thursday night against Southern California and Saturday against UCLA, the Wildcats again let both teams back in the game before doing something that is very un-Tucson like ... they stepped on some throats.

The win over the Bruins was about streaks, and Arizona continued one while putting the other to rest. UCLA had taken down the Wildcats in eight straight games before Russ Pennell's crew kept it together, winning 84-72 to take their current winning streak to seven.

The win all but assured Arizona will make it to their 25th NCAA Tournament, a record among current universities, and have put themselves on a short list, along with Utah State, Oklahoma, Connecticut, Memphis and North Carolina, as the hottest team in the nation. An argument can be made that they haven't won any big games on the road, but a win against UCLA is reason enough to get fired up if you're a Wildcat fan.

Arizona's defense has been superb, led by shifty Nic Wise and freshman Kyle Fogg, who actually seems to enjoy playing the man with the ball. Adam Papagiorgio made a point after the USC win that Pennell could be playing himself into the head coaching position for good and while I'm not totally sold that the Tucson faithful would be happy with a lesser name guy on the bench, the point has to be considered.

The defense is impressive, their decision making (minus Jamelle Horne, who still seems lost on the court) is there and Jordan Hill is quickly becoming a top-5 pick. On top of all that, Chase Budinger has finally become a "star" on the court and Wise, while a little all over the place, still gets his feet set and nails the open (or contested) jumper.

Now the Wildcats can rest a week before the play again, the in-state rivalry game against Arizona State, who also took care of the Bruins, in Tempe. It will be another game the Wildcats are underdogs and another chance for Chase and the boys to prove otherwise. As the most pessimistic of Arizona fans, join me in saying this (finally) -- it is, once again, fun to be a Wildcat fan.