On Wednesday, Athlon Sports released its Pac-12 All-Freshman Team, and five Arizona Wildcats made the cut. The team includes true and redshirt freshmen from around the conference. The Arizona players are: Nathan Eldridge, Justin Belknap, Isaiah Hayes, Tristan Cooper, and J.J. Taylor. Some of these appear to simply be because Athlon went two-deep at each position, and there weren’t a ton of options (Taylor is the second-team punt returner, he had three punt returns for 26 yards). But you could still look at this as a glimmer of hope for the future if you’re a glass half-full kind of person

- For contrast, here’s Pro Football Focus’ All-American Freshman team, made up of only true freshmen

- More hope is what you want? Braxton Burmeister is featured here in the All-San Diego Prep Insider team

- Gabe chatted with a receiver from Florida who was recently offered by the Arizona staff

Basketball

- Everyone should read this story about Steve Kerr

- There’s a little something extra around Gonzaga this year compared to some previous Zags teams

- Russ Pennell took his Central Arkansas team to Tempe and got crushed by ASU thanks to a school-record number of threes

- At 11-2, and at least one key player set to come back, Arizona seems to be in good shape as the holiday break gets underway

Baseball

- Nothing to do with Arizona, but Edwin Encarnacion is about to make $20 million a year. If you’re young, only play baseball. Don’t do anything else

Other sports

Tucson news

- Just like the basketball team, the Roadrunners are heading into their break on a good note having picked up four points and getting tons of goals in the process

- Self-driving Uber cars are coming to Arizona

- A pedestrian was struck at Benson Highway and Park

- TEP has decided to sponsor Winterhaven for the next five years, so the lights will be back again!