After a lackluster performance with only one field gold attempt and no points against Utah, Arizona senior guard Salim Stoudamire subsequently sulked on the bench. Coach Lute Olson has grown increasingly frustrated with his senior guard.
Stoudamire hasn't been providing the senior leadership that Olson expects from his seniors. Olson kicked Stoudamire out of practice for the week after the game against the Utes and ultimately suspended him against Marquette. Stoudamire has a tendency to get down on himself and pout when things don't go his way.
In the Wildcats' win over Utah, Stoudamire didn't cheer or encourage his teammates. Olson wants Stoudamire to understand that he needs to have a positive attitude both verbally and physically.
Arizona needs Stoudamire in the lineup to be at their best offensively. In their 48-43 victory at Marquette, the Wildcats shot only 34.6 percent from the floor, but were able to win with defense. The Cats held the Golden Eagles to only 30.6 percent shooting. Chris Rodgers stepped into Stoudamire's spot in the lineup and keyed the victory. He scored 16 points and helped hold Eagles star point guard Travis Diener to 5-of-17 from the field.
The Wildcats' 48 points were its lowest output since a 50-41 loss to Alabama in the 1985 NCAA tournament. The 'Cats did, however, rebuff the frequent criticism that West Coast teams aren't tough by outrebounding Marquette, 40-29.
With Stoudamire back in the lineup, the Wildcats returned to their customary high-octane offense. The Portland-bred guard was a different person in his first game back. He nearly matched the school record for three-pointers. He finished with 23 points on 7-of-9 from three point range in a 105-75 Arizona win over Manhattan. Stoudamire finished with 21 points after returning from a suspension under similar circumstances last season. His senior leadership is a key to the Wildcats' season. Last season, Arizona struggled without senior leadership after being ranked highly in the preseason.
Lute Olson has a stable full of players he can insert into the lineup to replace Stoudamire's playing ability, but with mostly freshman backups, their leadership would be a question mark. If Arizona is going to grow as a team and make runs at the Pac-10 title, as well as a deep foray into the NCAA tournament, they will need a more mature Stoudamire to stop sulking and become a leader.
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