Nov. 10
Wow, what a great way to start the season, baby!

There was no way that Arizona coach Lute Olson could have thought his young team would come into Madison Square Garden and walk away with two wins against top-five teams! Remember, this was on the road and not at McKale Center.

The Wildcats made a real statement by beating Maryland and Florida. This Arizona team was the only one of the four competing in the Coaches vs. Cancer IKON Classic that came in unranked. That will certainly change, and you have to wonder what Pac-10 coaches were thinking after seeing the Wildcats, who were picked fourth in the league's preseason poll, come away with two upsets.

	What really impressed me about Arizona was its excellent timing for this early in the season. The Wildcats did a solid job passing, playing hard and always being in the right position. That's impressive for such a young, inexperienced team.

It was a combination of veteran leadership, with Jason Gardner, Luke Walton and Rick Anderson, coupled with six freshmen. Arizona played with such passion; you can tell the kids really enjoy the game. This is going to be a very special Wildcats group that will get even better and better.

Walton put it best when he told his teammates after the upset of the Terps that the Wildcats didn't come to win one game, but rather to win the IKON Classic. It wasn't a surprise that Arizona played hard on defense. If you don't play "D" for the 'Cats, Lute Olson makes sure you don't play, period.

Jason Gardner showed why he is a special player. He leads by example, and I believe he is going to have a big-time year in the Pac-10. Gardner made a great decision by pulling his name out of the NBA draft; he played with such purpose in the first two games, earning tournament MVP honors.

Perhaps Gardner was humbled at the NBA draft camp, when he found out he was not as good as he thought he was. He showed explosiveness and quickness against Maryland and Florida. He had to be happy with his decision to return to school; if he had kept his name in the draft, he probably would be trying to make a developmental league team or play overseas.

Any time you get good point guard play, you have a chance to get to the winner's circle. Gardner was under control running the show for the 'Cats.

What really impressed me about Arizona was its excellent timing for this early in the season. The Wildcats did a solid job passing, playing hard and always being in the right position. That's impressive for such a young, inexperienced team.

Then there was Mr. Walton, the son of the big redhead, Bill Walton. Luke Walton has a great instinct and feel for the flow of the game. He plays so unselfishly and is a great passer, one of the best in the nation for a player his size.

Diaper dandies Will Bynum and Salim Stoudamire played with so much confidence. You knew Arizona had talent coming in, but the two performances were so impressive.

It was great to see such great enthusiasm and spirit so early in the season. It set the tone for what should be a super season in college basketball.