ARIZONA HEAD COACH LUTE OLSON QUOTES

Well, it was more than a little scary when we found out that Loren (Woods) was not going to be available for the game. I think everyone stepped up, and we did a nice job defensively. I was pleased that we had six guys in double figures.

I think the keys for us were forcing the 17 turnovers in the first half and our defensive pressure on the perimeter. I thought our defense made it tough on them because they had a very hard time getting the ball to the people they wanted. We did a good job of denying (Jerome) Moiso and (Dan) Gadzuric up high.

We had a lot of steals, and Jason (Gardner) had seven alone. I was glad to see that we were 8-of-8 on fastbreaks in the first half, and many were the result of their turnovers.

Offensively, our freshman guards (Gilbert Arenas and Jason Gardner) did a nice job of letting the shots come to them. They got some good looks, and they really knocked down the shots.

Justin Wessel did a nice job defensively as well as on the offensive end, and we got a solid performance from (Rick) Anderson, who also did a nice job defensively.

The key with Loren (Woods) is that we have the rest of the week to rest him. It is just a case of where we need to continue to treat his back and try to get him healthy. It is going to be critical to have him ready for the ASU game because of his ability to change people's shots.

It has been a very demanding season, and the guys have a few days off. We just have to come back and get ready to do the job and finish the season.
 

Arizona Men's Basketball
UCLA vs. Arizona
McKale Center
February 19, 2000

Arizona Player Quotes:
Michael Wright:
I think everybody knew if Loren (Woods) wasn't in there, we had to bond together and step it up. I had to step up my game. I just put it upon myself to take it to them. I came in and gave it all I got.

I think they've got a good team.

I think they realized that and pounded it down to Gadzuric in the second half.

I think we've got great talent. Coach O is a great teacher and everybody learns. It's all a learning process.

Jason Gardner:
They are our rival. They've got a good team, a good coach. They just missed some shots and we capitolized. I think it was a team effort today. We moved ball around a lot. We made that extra pass.

I'd rather struggle now and have him (Loren Woods) back and healthy at tournament time. As long as Loren comes back and is healthy, we'll be good.

We're starting to come together as a team and be a little family.

Gilbert Arenas:
It's the second half of the season. We've got to mature sometime. I guess we might as well do it now. We don't think of it like that (as being two freshmen guards), we are just two guards who have to go against their two guards.

I'm moving around much better than I did earlier in the season. I see my threes not falling, so I figured I might as well go inside.

On Loren Woods' not playing:
We didn't really know, they said it was a 50/50 chance. We thought that we just had to go out there and play harder.

On playing against the Los Angeles Schools:
I guess it triggers something. I was in my room, dancing and listening to music. I was late to my tape job just to get hyped. But, it's just another basketball game. From the ASU game, I don't think they were mentally prepared