| | TUCSON, Ariz. -- In the aftermath of the most one-sided loss
of his 17 seasons at Arizona, coach Lute Olson said it was a
mistake to schedule a game at LSU after three intense Pac-10 road
games.
"That was a huge mistake in terms of scheduling," Olson said
Monday. "We go through three highly emotional games, then we got
back late from Arizona State. We couldn't even work in a practice
time Friday. We didn't get to the hotel until 10:30 that night and
had an 8 o'clock shootaround the next morning."
The game was scheduled, Olson said, to allow Eugene Edgerson to
play a game in his home state. Olson didn't know that Edgerson
would decide to sit out this season to complete his student
teaching and instead play next season, when LSU comes to Tucson. This was
the only time of year LSU could play, Olson said.
"It was certainly asking too much I think from our guys,"
Olson said.
Saturday's 86-60 loss knocked Arizona from fifth to ninth in the
national rankings, but Olson downplayed the game's significance.
"Non-conference losses to me are very easy to get over," Olson
said. "If it's a conference loss, then it's a problem because that
one sticks with you. This was just a case where we ran into a buzz
saw. I thought our legs looked tired, which they should I guess
from that kind of a schedule. That one, when it's over, it's
over."
Olson said LSU coach John Brady told him that the Tigers had
never played that well in a game or in practice.
Center Loren Woods said he felt embarrassed on the floor, but
left those feelings behind. He was a bit irritated, though, by
suggestions he heard in Baton Rouge that the Wildcats, and the
entire Pac-10, are overrated and soft.
"That was an insult," Woods said. "Now it's just turned to
anger."
Woods echoed his coach's feelings about the importance of the
game.
"It didn't really hurt us in the Pac-10," Woods said. "It
didn't discourage us from any of our goals. My goal is to come in
here and win the Pac-10 title and go to the Final Four."
The Wildcats have their full contingent of players -- seven --
with Rick Anderson rejoining the team on Monday. Anderson, one of
two reserves who play regularly, was left home Saturday for what
Olson would only describe as "a technicality."
Arizona (17-3) must quickly turn its attention to Thursday
night's game against No. 23 Oregon (15-3). Arizona, Oregon,
Stanford and USC are tied for the conference lead at 6-1.
"Any of the four involved could win the league title based on
how they're playing," Olson said. "Oregon is very, very
experienced. They have great balance, great athleticism. They've
proved they can win on the road. They're 3-0 in the league on the
road, and they have that great homecourt advantage that everyone is
aware of. ... This is a very good Oregon team." | |
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