Arizona in the winter is home to the purple mountains majesty we all once sang about in elementary school. As I made the 120-mile drive from Phoenix to Tucson the scenery was all that could get my mind away from realizing this trip might be in vain. In a twist of fate and record-breaking three-point shooting skill, the Boston University men’s basketball team was playing the No. 1 ranked University of Arizona Wildcats in the championship game of the Fiesta Bowl Classic.
Walking into the McKale center, crowded to capacity with more than 14,500 Wildcat fans is a scene far different from games at the Roof. Wildcat basketball is the thing to do in Tucson and because it was winter break, most of the seats were filled with local families. Although most of these fans were only 10 years old, they gave no mercy to our Terriers. The families of the BU players, some of the kindest people I’ve met from the East Coast, weren’t so complacent after a half of heckling from rowdy, drunken Arizonans.
The game was physical. Arizona freshman Chris Rodgers played 11 minutes of intense defense against the Terriers. Billy Collins and Rashad Bell fought hard for every rebound against Arizona giants Like Walton and Channing Frye. Arizona was struggling from the speed and intensity of BU guards Chaz Carr and Matt Turner. In the second half, NBA hopeful Walton re-injured his right ankle when he stepped on teammate Jason Gardner’s foot. As he was helped off the court, the capacity crowd rose to its feet, energizing the Wildcat team. Following the injury, Arizona went on a much-needed 16-3 run to end the Terriers’ hopes for an upset.
At the press conference following the game, Coach Dennis Wolff praised the Terriers for their passionate effort.
‘In my nine years of coaching at BU, I have never been prouder of a team’s effort in a loss,’ he said.
Coach Wolff was modest yet confident when I asked him how playing well against the Pac-10’s best, Arizona and Stanford, on the road would help the team in conference play.
‘We got an L both games, but I appreciate what you’re trying to say… We were in the game and not at all flushed by the atmosphere,’ he said.
The game in Arizona confirmed a personal pride for me in BU sports. Along with the families of the players and a distinguished soccer alumnus, we were never quiet for the full 40 minutes. This season’s going to be a great one, conference play will be intense but the team has a solid shot at returning to the NCAA tournament in March. Top 25 or not, 14,500 or 3,000, it shouldn’t matter. This year’s Terriers are solid, and it’s a great time to support the team. Come out and support our Terriers at home, Wednesday against Stony Brook at 7:00 p.m.
Carl Woog is a junior in the University Professor’s Program and the Student Union Vice President of Student Affairs. A resident of Phoenix, Arizona, Woog attended the BU men’s basketball game at the University of Arizona.
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