Gästebuch » acquire is another veteran

BOULDER, Colo. Larry Johnson Jersey . -- For a team that built its reputation on stifling defence, fourth-ranked Arizona sure showed some offensive prowess Saturday night. The Wildcats routed the Buffaloes 88-61 for their first win in Boulder since 1973. They did it by holding Colorado without a bucket until 9:50 remained in the first half, then by shooting 84.6 per cent in the second half. "They whipped us tonight every which way you can whip a team," Colorado coach Tad Boyle said. Freshman Aaron Gordon shook off a poor performance at Utah last week by scoring 21 of his season-best 23 points in the second half and Nick Johnson added 20 points for the Wildcats, who made 22 of 26 shots after halftime. "Weve had a few shootarounds here, we felt comfortable in their gym, it all just clicked for us," Johnson said. It was a rare breather for the Wildcats (25-2, 12-2 Pac-12), who scrapped their way through a series of close games since beating Colorado by 12 in Tucson, Ariz., on Jan. 23, before close losses at Cal and archrival Arizona State dropped them from the top spot in the AP Top 25. After that first game in Tempe, Buffaloes forward Xavier Johnson dissed the Cats, saying, "theyre not that good." He also said that even without injured star Spencer Dinwiddie, the Buffaloes were the more talented team and he suggested the rematch in Boulder would be a blowout. He was right, but it was the Wildcats who made this one a laugher, not the Buffaloes, who were throttled by Arizonas suffocating defence and their hot shooting hands. "I dont think you have any of our players saying anything negative about Colorado, saying, Were going to win by 20," Arizona coach Sean Miller said. "We dont do that. For us, we have to play the right way. We have to compete hard. And certainly we respect Colorado." Coming off an emotionally draining win over the Sun Devils on Wednesday night that burnished their NCAA tournament credentials, the Buffaloes (20-8, 9-6) came out ice cold, missing their first 14 shots. They trailed 22-5 before Jaron Hopkins sank a 3-pointer from the left side 10:10 into the game. That sparked a 16-4 run by Colorado -- with seven points coming from the free throw line -- to make it 26-21 and force an Arizona timeout. The Wildcats settled down thanks to a baseline drive by Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and a pull-up jumper by T.J. McConnell. The only field goal by a Buffaloes starter before halftime came on Askia Bookers jumper with 2 seconds left in the first half. After a horrendous start, however, the Buffaloes clawed their way back before Gordon sank three straight layups and Johnsons jumpers helped the Wildcats pull away. In celebration of senior night, Boyle gave 7-foot centre Ben Mills his first start of his career. He took the place of Josh Scott, who had started every game since Feb. 27, 2013, when he was dealing with a concussion. Scotts absence was quickly felt as Colorado was outrebounded 6-1 and fell behind 8-1 before Scott replaced Mills 2:49 into the game. But the Buffaloes didnt turn things around right away, as the Wildcats built those advantages to 10-3 on the boards and 14-3 on the scoreboard by the 14:39 timeout. Thanks to a 12-3 advantage at the stripe, however, the Buffs trailed just 31-25 at the half after shooting 6-for-27 from the floor. Scott, who led the Buffs with 18 points, sank a jumper to open the second half that made it a four-point game, but the Buffs couldnt get any closer and the Wildcats began to pull away when Kaleb Tarczewskis 3-pointer made it 40-33. "I think we got a little jump shot-happy, but I think thats a credit to them," Scott said. "I think we turned the ball over a couple of times at some key points in the game and its mainly because they pack the paint." About the only thing the crowd had to cheer about by the end was Mills 3-pointer in the final minute, the first of his college career. The 27-point loss was the biggest at home in the Boyle era, and he said it was particularly disconcerting with ESPNs College GameDay crew in town. "Our fans were so ready for this game, for this win, and we gave them nothing," Boyle said. "Thats a sick feeling to go home with and to live with. I havent been embarrassed many times as a coach, but I was embarrassed tonight at the way our team played." His players were, too. "Were all embarrassed, man, really embarrassed," Booker said. "This is something that, whether were on the road or at home, this should never happen again." Michael Kidd-Gilchrist Hornets Jersey .J. -- Jaromir Jagr has hit so many NHL milestones this season for the New Jersey Devils that he is starting to downplay them. Alonzo Mourning Hornets Jersey . - Loosening up for their first training camp practice, the Miami Dolphins high-stepped sideways up and down the field while House of Pains song "Jump Around" blared on the loudspeakers. https://www.hornetslockerroom.com/Bismack-Biyombo-City-Edition-Jersey/ .com) - Even-money favorite Liams Map proved a little too tough down the stretch and won Saturdays $100,000 Harlans Holiday Stakes at Gulfstream Park.SEATTLE -- Jack Zduriencik does not see the Seattle Mariners making another splash signing before the start of spring training after an off-season of big moves highlighted by the signing of second baseman Robinson Cano. What he would like to acquire is another veteran pitcher to add to a starting rotation that has a pair of aces at the top and then a handful of promising prospects behind them without much major league experience. "I dont suspect well make a major move but we hopefully will do a couple of things that will be tweaks that help the club certainly for this year," Zduriencik said Thursday. How the rotation gets filled out will be one of the major questions when Seattle reports for spring training in the middle of February. Pitchers and catchers will be on the field Feb. 13 and the first full squad workout is Feb. 18. Seattle has the top of its rotation settled with former AL Cy Young winner Felix Hernandez and Hisashi Iwkuama forming a formidable combo. But the bridge between that pair and some of the youngsters Seattle would like to see take the final spots in the rotation is the question. Asked if he was comfortable with how his rotation sits, Zduriencik said, "not tremendously." "I think there is certainly potential there. There are some things that have to come together. When youre placing a lot of faith and trust in young kids that have very short windows of success, thats risky," Zduriencik said. "I will say that theyre talented but how quickly they become legitimate major leaguers, is yet to be seen. There may be opportunities for us in the next period of time, few days or so, maybe well be able to add something to it.&quuot; Manager Lloyd McClendon said he would be disappointed if top prospect Taijuan Walker didnt make the rotation out of spring training, but hes expected to contend with James Paxton, Erasmo Ramirez and Brandon Maurer for one of those final spots. Jalen McDaniels Jersey. There is not a higher-regarded prospect in the Mariners system than Walker. He was described by Zduriencik as the best athlete in the entire organization and he called his brief call-up at the end of last season "short and impressive." Walker made three starts for Seattle last season, going 1-0 with a 3.40 ERA. He struck out 12 batters in 15 innings pitched in his major league debut. "Hes young, hes talented, hes got a ton of ability. He has to acclimate himself to being a big league starting pitcher," Zduriencik said. "How quickly that comes, I dont know. Everybody is different." Aside from the rotation, Seattle also has significant questions about how its outfield will shake out, specifically centre field. The Mariners are hopeful that newly acquired outfielders Logan Morrison and Corey Hart are healthy enough to be regulars at the corner outfield spots. That leaves centre field jumbled with Dustin Ackley, Michael Saunders and Franklin Gutierrez as options. "As we roll into spring training its all up to them," Zduriencik said. "I cant tell you who the centre fielder is going to be. I can tell you who the candidates are. I cant tell you who the left fielder is going to be. I can tell you who the candidates are. ... If were going to be a really good ball club, lets see what happens in spring training. Its up to them." ' ' '