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Arizona Falls to UCLA: 75-69

The Streak is most certainly over! Arizona falls to UCLA 75-69.

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Arizona Sweeps So Cal Schools, Beats USC 86-84

Arizona's Kyle Fogg (21) goes to the basket as Southern California's Marcus Johnson (0) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz., Saturday, March 6, 2010. (AP Photo/John Miller)

More photos » John Miller - AP

6 days ago: Arizona's Kyle Fogg (21) goes to the basket as Southern California's Marcus Johnson (0) defends during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz., Saturday, March 6, 2010. (AP Photo/John Miller)

Arizona battled back in the 2nd half to tie the Trojans of Southern California to take it into overtime but even one overtime wasn't enough.  The Cats won in dramatic fashion on the second overtime by beating USC 86-84.   It was the second time in two games that the Cats have had to claw their way back after being down at home in the first half.  This one was a little more dramatic than the UCLA game. 

Arizona fell behind 38-33 in the first half and had a hard time controlling Dwight Lewis all day.  Kyle Fogg attempted a three point shot with two tenths of a second left in regulation.  Fogg got to the line and hit all three free throws to take the game into overtime.  The dramatics didn't end there. Each team battled back and forth and one overtime wasn't enough to decide the victor.

The Cats looked a little more in control in the second overtime and were leading by two points when USC's Marcus Simmons hit a bucket to tie the game with 16.3 seconds left.  Nic Wise, who scored 15 points on the night, and was playing his last home game at McKale Center, hit the game winning layup with 1.5 seconds left in the double overtime.  He drove through traffic and timed his shot perfectly.

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Cats Split Weekend: Cal Loss, Stanford Win

Arizona forward Derrick Williams, left, smiles with guard Lamont Jones late in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010. Arizona defeated Stanford 71-69. Williams was the game's high scorer with 24 points. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

More photos » Tony Avelar - AP

12 days ago: Arizona forward Derrick Williams, left, smiles with guard Lamont Jones late in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game in Stanford, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010. Arizona defeated Stanford 71-69. Williams was the game's high scorer with 24 points. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

The Arizona Wildcats split the weekend by losing to Cal 95-71 and then beating Stanford 71-69Derrick Williams continues to dominate as he scored 17 points against Cal and then 24 points against Stanford.  Derrick Williams should be considered for the Pac-10 player of the year definitely.  

Brendon Lavender scored 14 points against Cal and Lamont Jones scored 16 points (7-15) against Stanford.  Lamont Jones scored the game winner as time expired to beat Stanford.

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Know Your Enemy: California Golden Bears

California's Jerome Randle reacts after making a shot against Iowa State in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009, in Berkeley, Calif. (AP Photo/Dino Vournas)

More photos » Dino Vournas - AP

3 months ago: California's Jerome Randle reacts after making a shot against Iowa State in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009, in Berkeley, Calif. (AP Photo/Dino Vournas)

The fellas over at California Golden Blogs gave us some more insight into the Pac-10's leading basketball program.  It's going to be a tough one for the Cats on Thursday night in enemy territory.

1. Since losing to the Cats on January 31, Cal has been pretty dominant and sits atop the Pac-10.  What happened?

Everybody else lost?  Seriously, did you see us sleepwalk through an embarassing loss at Oregon State?  Or fall behind by 11 at the half at home vs. Washington State?  Or give up a 25-0 run at USC?  Cal has managed to go 4-2 over the past few weeks, but other than a convincing victory over UW at home, they haven't really looked dominating over that stretch.

 

That said, as mediocre as Cal has been, everyone else has been even less inspiring, though Arizona State at least has managed to stay close.  First one to 12 wins this conference?

2. Jerome Randle is one streaky dude. What gives?

He's a shooter.  Lots of shooters are streaky.  This Cal team can live and die by the jump shot, so Cal fans have learned to live with the streakyness.

 

Moreover, I think Randle doesn't quite have the ice cold mentality of some shooters; he can let things bother him, so if he's going up against a guard who is quick enough to keep him from penetrating or active enough to force him into some dumb turnovers, he can get flustered and try to do too much.  When he's not hitting shots, he's either injured (he's played through both leg injuries and debilitating stomach flus this year -- apparently, he threw up during halftime in Cal's loss to UCLA) or he's taking contested shots that he shouldn't.  But man, when he's on, he's crazy-accurate from crazy-deep.  I'm going to miss him, and I'm not the only Cal fan that feels that way.

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Arizona 69 vs. Arizona State 73 Recap

Arizona's State's Eric Boateng (2) shoots over the attempted defense of Arizona's Derrick Williams (23) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz., Sunday, Feb. 21, 2010. Arizona State won 73-69. (AP Photo/John Miller)

More photos » John Miller - AP

18 days ago: Arizona's State's Eric Boateng (2) shoots over the attempted defense of Arizona's Derrick Williams (23) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz., Sunday, Feb. 21, 2010. Arizona State won 73-69. (AP Photo/John Miller)

Arizona couldn't catch up on Sunday, falling to the Sun Devils 73-69 at McKale.  The Sun Devils were on, hitting 52% of their FG's and were 11-20 from 3 point land.  Arizona didn't help themselves out much by turning the ball over 12 times and having many one and done possessions.  Derrick Williams had 15 points and 5 rebounds. Nic Wise scored 18 and had 3 assists. Kyle Fogg chipped in13 points as well. Solomon Hill (foul king) had 4 personals in 16 minutes of play.

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Well that was unexpected; Oregon State 63 - Arizona 55 - Post game wrap-up/bang head against wall thread

Arizona's Jamelle Horne, right, drives past the defense of Oregon State's Josh Tarver (5) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz., Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010. (AP Photo/John Miller)

More photos » John Miller - AP

26 days ago: Arizona's Jamelle Horne, right, drives past the defense of Oregon State's Josh Tarver (5) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz., Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010. (AP Photo/John Miller)

Well, 27 years of beating Oregon State in McKale is over.  Oregon State stole a game that puts the rest of the season for Arizona in jeopardy.  Sean Miller has clearly made a huge impact on this young Cats team, but they are not quite there yet. 

Nic Wise was 1-11 of from the field, and no one else besides Jamelle Horne was there to pick up the slack.  Here's to hoping the finger-pointing is kept to a minimum, and this embarrassing loss is used as a catalyst for a very strong finish to the season.  Without a huge run to end the season, Arizona fans may be filling out NIT brackets in March.

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Arizona 70 vs. Oregon 57 Recap

Arizona's Derrick Williams (23) dunks over Oregon's Teondre Williams (32) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz., Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010. Arizona won 70-57. (AP Photo/Wily Low)

More photos » Wily Low - AP

28 days ago: Arizona's Derrick Williams (23) dunks over Oregon's Teondre Williams (32) in the second half of an NCAA college basketball game at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz., Thursday, Feb. 11, 2010. Arizona won 70-57. (AP Photo/Wily Low)

Arizona beat Oregon on Thursday night 70-57 at the McKale Center in Tucson.  It was just another upward swing in this roller coaster season for the Cats.  After losing both games in the Pacific Northwest to Washington and Washington State, the Cats rebounded by extending a 36-28 halftime lead into a 52-33 lead within the first 6:00 of the first half. 

 

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That Was Fun While it Lasted; WSU 78 - UA 60

Arizona guard Brendon Lavender, left, and other team members watch in the waning minutes as their team is behind during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Washington State on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010, at Jack Friel Court in Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, Wash. Washington State won 78-60. (AP Photo/Dean Hare)

More photos » Dean Hare - AP

about 1 month ago: Arizona guard Brendon Lavender, left, and other team members watch in the waning minutes as their team is behind during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game against Washington State on Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010, at Jack Friel Court in Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, Wash. Washington State won 78-60. (AP Photo/Dean Hare)

Punked in Pullman.  This will be quick, as it is Super Sunday.  Three days ago, whispers of The Streak continuing started to surface.  Now?  Arizona is 12-11 (6-5), and based on the mediocrity of the team, and the Pac-10 in general, Arizona has to be considered at the moment on the outside of the NCAA tournament. 

Now, a significant run to close the season, or a Pac-10 tournament win, obviously could change all that.  Let's see what Coach Miller has up his sleeve.  The margin of error shrunk dramatically in 80 minutes of basketball.

 

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