The '97 Theory

      If you were going to make a time capsule for the 1997 Arizona men's basketball team, you'd probably start by throwing in the "Cool Cat" issue of Sports Illustrated with Miles Simon on the cover. Then you'd likely add one of Jason Terry's CATS socks, some of the glass from AJ Bramlett's shattered backboard, at least one of the then-ubiquitous "1997 National Champions" t-shirts, and a vile of Mike Bibby's DNA (for the purpose of future cloning, obviously). This time capsule would tell the story of a once-mediocre squad that clicked at the right time and became the first team to ever beat three number one seeds on their way to a future Hall of Fame coach's first national championship. My, what a wonderful time capsule that would be...

      Now let's make a time capsule for last year's squad" a transcript of Chris Rodgers' "the truth shall set u free" e-mail, two game tapes - one at Washington, the other at Oregon State - included to show this team at their best and worst respectively, and, of course, one of Isaiah Fox's impressive receipts from everyone's favorite college bar, Dirtbag's (the only place he got into double figures that entire season, they should retire his jersey in that place).

      And then you have the 2007 Arizona Wildcats. It's not time to seal their capsule yet, but if it were, I'd keep it simple: a definition of the word swagger - a term that either perfectly describes this team's style of play or serves as its exact antonym - and an explanation of the '97 Theory ("sure we're in the middle of the Pac Ten standings now but do you remember where we finished when we won the whole thing!").

      The '97 Theory has gone from intriguing factoid to discomforting justification for recent sub-par performances. Steve Rivera's article in Tuesday's Citizen even has a pair of case-in-point quotes from both Lute Olson and Jawann McClellan. But are these comparisons substantiated? Similarities between the '97 team and the '07 team include the following:

      Add bonus points for the 10-year anniversary factor and you've got yourself a valid argument. But then you run across a quote like this:

      "There's lots of similarities (between us and) the '97 team," Arizona head coach Lute Olson said. "We're better than that team defensively, and I think they shot the ball better. I think that team had the outstanding leadership of Miles Simon. That's so critical in the tournament."

      Now obviously, given the use of the word "defense", this quote is not describing our 2007 Arizona Wildcats. In fact, this quote comes from a March 2006 article in the Arizona Daily Wildcat. So, if the '97 Theory is being used to describe the most agonizing season I've ever sat through, what good is the '97 Theory?

      Half of me wants to put this threadbare comparison to rest. Sure, there are times when it prevents me from visiting Wal-Mart with the intent to buy nothing but the most expensive toaster they have in stock and a bottle of Mr. Bubbles. And for those times, I thank the '97 Theory. But as we prepare ourselves to watch what seems to be the 18th consecutive "must win game", it makes me wonder, if we truly believe in the '97 Theory, why all the impatience? Why don't we just lay back and let the glory come to us?

      Nothing hurts more than typing this next sentence: Lute can't coach forever. There, I said it... one day, the Lute Olson era will end. I all but guarantee he'll return for next season, but after that, all bets are off. And where does that leave us? Afraid. What if, after all the years of continued success, the 1997 National Championship is all we truly have to show for it? Who does that rank us up with? Michigan State? Syracuse? Aren't we better than that? And what about Lute's successor? Will he be able to recruit kids based on Arizona's "top tier status" alone? Remember, in the year that Arizona was crowned national champion, the Academy Award for Best Picture went to Titanic. I highly doubt that any high school student is old enough (or cursed enough, for that matter) to have sat through a DVD copy of Titanic, let alone watch it in theaters. Do you think they'll remember Miles Simon and his magical tournament ride? Heck no...

      These are the fears that stoke the '97 Theory. And this is why it gets brought up time and time again.

      So what can we, as fans, do about it? Wait. That's all. Just sit back, watch the games, and wait. Don't bring it up, half-forget about it. Enjoy this team with its, now two, sensational freshman. Relish the fact that you feel confident that somehow, someway, our coach will get us into the Tournament. Take pleasure in knowing that your team is battle scarred from playing in the undisputed, number one conference in the entire United States of America. And if the day comes, where you're watching your beloved Wildcats cut down the nets in Atlanta, smile. Because you knew this was coming all along. The prophesy of the '97 Theory was bound to be revealed, you just didn't want to make too big a deal out of it.

Bear Down and beat the Ducks