It's funny how we make sports a live or die thing.
Even after blogging yesterday that it would not be the end of the world if Arizona finally lost its first game, I found myself depressed during the game at Stanford, and even after the team squeaked out a 58-55 win.
Most Wildcats fans can commiserate, as the team looked pretty un-No. 1 like for about 39 minutes.
Still, Zona in the end displayed the poise that has helped rack up 21 straight wins and the nation's No. 1 ranking. But despite the narrow victory, I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread. The Wildcats have been exposed in Pac-12 play for not being a particularly good shooting team, at the very least a highly streak in one, which in actuality we've known all along. But the team seems to will itself to victory game in and game out, despite shooting poorly from the field or the free throw stripe.
I force myself to remember the adage, "defense wins championships." Though it does help to make more than 18 of 29 free throws and grab more rebounds than the other guys, at least the three-point shooting was much better this evening. Still there is plenty of work for the Wildcats to do.
And this early in the season, that's a good thing. No need to let complacency creep in. This game should keep the team hungry and not taking anything for granted, especially with tough teams on the schedule like Stanford and, on Saturday, Cal. The defense is still stellar, and one has to believe the Cats will warm up again from the field.
Until then, stay the course and play with purpose. Good things will happen.
Even after blogging yesterday that it would not be the end of the world if Arizona finally lost its first game, I found myself depressed during the game at Stanford, and even after the team squeaked out a 58-55 win.
Most Wildcats fans can commiserate, as the team looked pretty un-No. 1 like for about 39 minutes.
Still, Zona in the end displayed the poise that has helped rack up 21 straight wins and the nation's No. 1 ranking. But despite the narrow victory, I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread. The Wildcats have been exposed in Pac-12 play for not being a particularly good shooting team, at the very least a highly streak in one, which in actuality we've known all along. But the team seems to will itself to victory game in and game out, despite shooting poorly from the field or the free throw stripe.
I force myself to remember the adage, "defense wins championships." Though it does help to make more than 18 of 29 free throws and grab more rebounds than the other guys, at least the three-point shooting was much better this evening. Still there is plenty of work for the Wildcats to do.
And this early in the season, that's a good thing. No need to let complacency creep in. This game should keep the team hungry and not taking anything for granted, especially with tough teams on the schedule like Stanford and, on Saturday, Cal. The defense is still stellar, and one has to believe the Cats will warm up again from the field.
Until then, stay the course and play with purpose. Good things will happen.
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