No killer instinct at McKale...yet

In the Stands Report by Bookemdano: It's becoming apparent that the young Arizona Wildcats have a long way to go before they can hold serve, so to speak, at McKale Center.

And they're a long way from adding that "killer instinct" to their repertoire, too. Yes, they have already stolen a couple of non-conference wins at McKale this season, thanks to a couple of buzzer-beaters from Nic Wise, but they are now engulfed in the Pac-10 race and don't look for the Wildcats to blow anybody away at McKale. They are, at the present time anyway, just happy to be there...and in the game.

Last night, the Wildcats found themselves down 10 points early in the first quarter, regrouped to tie the game at 35-all at the half, and then let it all slip away, allowing the visiting Cougars from Washington State to steal one at McKale, 78-76. Let's call it a "funk"...or a "happening"...the Wildcats are in "it" and, of course, while there, don't expect any help from the referees, either. Case in point, last night with just under seven minutes to go in the game, it seemed like referee Mike Reed raced all the way from the local Circle K to call a fifth foul on Derrick Williams.

It could have gone either way, but it didn't. And without Williams in the Wildcats' lineup, you might just as well pencil in the loss. It is a struggle for Sean Miller and his band of "underdogs". I have to admit, I love the balance scoring -- Jamelle Horne (14), Kyle Fogg (13), Wise (15) and Williams (13) and even the new man in the lineup, Kevin Parrom (7), but without that ability to throw that knockout punch it looks like the Wildcats are destined for the Pac-10 cellar. Pretty soon, every game will be a "must win".

Next up, the Washington Huskies Sunday at McKale. Here's hoping for a split at home!