The guy next to me could see every putt...

The crowd around the 9th green at the WGC-Accenture on Saturday was huge. It was tough viewing if you're a shade over five feet, eight inches and you happen to be two minutes late getting to that particular spot for that particular moment in time as Bubba Watson and J.B. Holmes surveyed their putts at the halfway point of their quarterfinal matchup (the best matchup of the day...from my perspective, anyway).

But, I must add, the fella next to me had no trouble at all as he viewed the proceedings. The man was 6 foot, 7 inches tall, and at first glance, I thought it was Boston Celtic great Bill Russell, or maybe a sawed off version of Wilt "The Stilt" Chamberlain. And then I actually figured out that I knew the man. It was the former "jumping jack" from the University of Arizona Albert Johnson.

Albert starred for the Wildcats' basketball team back in 1963-64-65. Back in the days of Warren Rustand, Buddy Doolen, Bob Spahn (just to name a few). Back in the days when Bear Down was a hoppin' and Bruce Larson was in command along the sidelines.

UCLA's John Wooden was impressed with Albert's ability on the basketball court and said so following a 22-point performance by Mr. Johnson back in 1964 in a conference game in LA when the Wildcat forward led all scorers with 22 points and out shined Bruin star Keith Erickson, who went on to a 12-year career in the NBA. Erickson tallied 16 that particular night and the Bruins won easily, 99-79. “Our boy Erickson has handled some of the toughest men around,” Wooden was quoted as saying, “but he told me he thought Johnson was about as good as any of them."

Albert Johnson averaged close to 10 rebounds a game during his days as a Wildcat. I still remember him going up for a board. It was just like it was yesterday. But it isn't yesterday. It happened 47 years ago. And as I stood next to the big man and eyed Bubba Watson's birdie putt, I had the feeling that if...if a basketball would suddenly appear out of nowhere, Albert would haul it in and get a roar from the crowd.

 Even on the 9th green at The Gallery, the onlookers would forget about the little white ball for a moment and admire the hands, and the quickness of the middle-aged man named Albert Johnson. I didn't get a chance to see Tiger...or Phil, yesterday, but I did see a tall man in the crowd that brought back a lot of memories.

Wildcats lose a couple of roads games...it's not the end of the world

So we lost a couple of road games...so what?

 f the Arizona Wildcats had dropped two games to the LA schools a month ago, nobody would have been upset. In fact, some would say it goes with the territory in the Pac-10 conference. But lose two this weekend and lose our hold on first place, out 10th-place ranking, our momentum...well needless to say, it was a bummer of an outcome.

But all is not lost. Let's take care of things at home this week against the Oregon schools and we'll still come away winners with the number one seed for the Pac-10 tourney. Let's don't get down on our 'Cats. Arizona is 23-6 overall and can still finish 14-4 in the conference race. Not too shabby. But I must admit, if we drop one...or both, next week, even I will hang me head low.

Come on 'Cats! Regroup and go after it.

Wildcats in top 10!

What a nice way to start a Tuesday morning with the Arizona Wildcats basketball team reaching number 10 this week. Go Cats! Let's really shake things up with two wins in LA this week.

How sweet it is! I'm so old, I remember ole Jackie Gleason, that famous grin of his, and his comment to his wife, Alice, on the 1950s TV show the Honeymooners: How sweet it is!

Golden Bears put Wildcats in driver's seat...

Can you dig it?

The California Golden Bears held on to upset UCLA last night in Berkeley in overtime, 76-72, putting the Arizona Wildcats in the driver's seat in the Pac-10 conference race with just four regular season games to go. Wow! A two game lead for our beloved Arizona Wildcats. Come on Sean Miller, bring it home with wins at home next week over the Oregon teams and at least a split on the road this week at UCLA and USC.

Am I dreaming?

The block!

In the Stands Report by Bookemdano: The block by Derrick Williams on the Washington Huskies final field goal attempt of the game with two seconds left on the clock allowed 12th-ranked Arizona to escape McKale Center and the hometown crowd of 14,000-plus tonight with an exciting 87-86 Pac-10 win -- the 12th conference victory of the season for the Wildcats and their 23rd win overall.

The Wildcats (23-4, 12-2) were led by Williams with 26 points and 11 rebounds, but the play of game turned out to be the block, which sailed into the crowd -- a crowd composed of white, shirted Wildcat fans. The Wildcats win by a whisker and stay atop the Pac-10 conference.

Wow! Another nailbiter!

Wins at McKale over the Cougars and the Huskies would be sweet...

Could it be that kind of week for the Arizona Wildcats basketball team? Could they capture back to back victories at McKale over Washington State tonight and Washington on Saturday?

And, could the Cardinal take down the Bruins? Boy, that would be sweet and give the front-running Wildcats even more breathing room in the Pac-10 conference.

It is setting up to be a great week in sports for us locals here in Tucson. The golf tourney with Tiger Woods and Company is just days away. College baseball gets underway when North Dakota State comes to town on Friday and the UofA girls are already swinging the sticks with a handful of victories under their belt. Let the sun shine down on the Old Pueblo.

Wildcats Update: Arizona knocks off the Washington State Cougars,79-70. One down and one to go. Washington Huskies next on ESPN tomorrow afternoon. Go 'Cats!

Things have been good for the 'Cats

Since I've been away from the sports world for the past six weeks, dealing with a family emergency,

I've had very little time to follow my beloved Arizona Wildcats. Well, I'm back and so are my 'Cats! Ranked number 12 in the nation with 21 wins and sitting atop the Pac-10, the Wildcats are rolling.

Now I can return to my seat at McKale, or my sofa at home, cheer on Arizona as they roll toward maybe a Pac-10 title, a return to the NCAA basketball tourney...and would you believe, I figure they'd be a fourth seed if the tournament got underway tomorrow. Slow down, Dan! You're back to your old tricks. I'm way ahead of myself and this is my first Wildcat round ball post of the year.

Go 'Cats!

Gordon Overstreet...my mother's new neighbor

It has been a long six weeks. And most of my readers understand why. My 83-year-old mother, Kathryn, gave the family a scare. Her illness resulted in a week-long stay at the University Medical Center in Tucson (her room not too far from Gabby Gifford's room, I must add). But mom bounces back, leaves UMC, spends three weeks in rehab and finally, moves in last Thursday to her new home, a high-rise (so to speak), 4th floor apartment, in an assisted living complex. She has wonderful neighbors, including her next door neighbor, who to my surprise, turns out to be none other than Pima County Sports Hall of Famer Gordon Overstreet. I had a pleasant 30-minute conversation with Mr. Overstreet, 89, on the same day of my mom's move-in. As a former sports writer, our paths have crossed many times over the years.

Overstreet, grew up in Missouri, lettered three years in baseball and track at Northwest Missouri State. He went on to coach baseball during a tour with the U.S. Navy and later as football, baseball and basketball coach in Iowa and at Wakefield Junior High School in Tucson. His true calling, however, has been that of an official. He has officiated both basketball and football in NCAA Division I and II, Border Conference and WAC. He has been Observer of Officials for both men and women in the Pac-10, NCAA Division I quarter-finals, Division II Regionals, the Junior College Arizona Conference, Astro Bluebonnet Bowl and Fiesta Bowl, as well as the Arizona Interscholastic Association.

I can't wait to visit my mom this week and maybe run into Gordon again. Maybe the three of us will sit out on my mom's patio, stare at the beautiful view of the Catalina Mountains, and just maybe, I'll get a chance to rehash some old sports stories with the local hall of famer. And of course, my mom will rekindle some old stories of her own.

Life goes on.

I'll be back!

Pardon me. There's a chance I may make an error or two in this post. It's been a long time since I've been able to pound the keys on my old laptop. Most of you who read this blog are my age, or a bit older, and have been through what I have recently experienced.

My mother has recovered from her illness and has spent twenty days in rehab. She's now ready for the next step in her life: assisted living. As for me, I'll return to baseball next week. It'll be spring training all over for me, again! Life goes on. Batter up!