The Wildcast

Happy game week to all who partake in the college football season! With less than a week until Arizona's season opener against Northern Arizona on Saturday in Tucson, the Star's Justin Spears and Michael Lev break down the Wildcats and answer Twitter mailbag questions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Arizona Wildcats, along with Arizona State and Utah, are joining the Big 12 Conference in 2024! What led to the UA and other Pac-12 members leaving the "Conference of Champions?" What's next for the Cats as a Big 12 member? The Star's Justin Spears and Michael Lev provide some perspective. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Star's Justin Spears chats with Arizona women's basketball reporter PJ Brown about UA head coach Adia Barnes, in coalition with Nike, donating $100,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of Tucson. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Arizona Wildcats center Dusan Ristic joined the Star's Justin Spears on ESPN Tucson's "Spears and Ali" earlier this week to reflect on his time at Arizona — and the first-round loss to Buffalo in the 2018 NCAA Tournament. Plus, Ristic weighs in on Nikola Jokic's career and impact on Serbian basketball. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Star reporter Justin Spears and interim sports editor Michael Lev analyze the current situation regarding Arizona Wildcats quarterback Jayden de Laura, who was accused of sexual assault in 2018; a civil case filed in 2021 was recently settled. How much did Arizona know about its star quarterback's situation when he first transferred to the UA? How do the Wildcats approach the season? Plus, Arizona...

Arizona men's tennis coach Clancy Shields joined the Star's Justin Spears on ESPN Tucson's "Spears and Ali" earlier this week leading up to the Wildcats' first-round showdown with Boise State in the NCAA Tournament. The UA is hosting the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history. Boise State's coach, Luke Shields, is Clancy Shields' brother. Ding, ding. See omnystudio.com/listener for...

We're back! Miss us? Star interim sports editor Michael Lev sits down with Bruce Pascoe and Justin Spears to talk the latest updates with Arizona basketball, including the Wildcats' roster predicament, and a recap of UA spring football. Plus, a look ahead at the NFL draft in Kansas City, and the legend of Bijan Robinson. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

March. Madness. It's the most beautiful time of year for college hoops fans, and the Star's Justin Spears, Bruce Pascoe and PJ Brown are here to fill you in on everything Arizona Wildcats basketball now that it's postseason time. Tommy Lloyd joined "Spears and Ali" on ESPN Tucson 1490-AM before the Pac-12 Tournament. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Star's Justin Spears, Bruce Pascoe and P.J. Brown provide the latest updates with the Arizona basketball programs after a perfect 4-0 weekend at McKale Center. Plus, a look at your Twitter mailbag questions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Arizona Wildcat Bob Elliott, who played under Fred "The Fox" Snowden, joined the Star's Justin Spears on ESPN Tucson's "Spears and Ali" to talk about opening the African American Museum of Southern Arizona — the first of its kind in Arizona — on the UA campus. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Star's Justin Spears, PJ Brown and Bruce Pascoe discuss the latest news with both Arizona basketball programs, including the rise of Azuolas Tubelis and the UA women's basketball team big-time matchup with Stanford at McKale Center, after sweeping the L.A. schools in thrilling fashion. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

McKale Center is 50 years old! The Star's Justin Spears, Bruce Pascoe and PJ Brown discuss McKale Center memories, and the latest in Arizona Wildcats basketball. Plus, they answer your Twitter mailbag questions! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Arizona creeps up to No. 6 in the AP Top 25 after holding off UCLA at McKale Center. Did the Wildcats prove doubters wrong in Tommy Lloyd's 50th career win? Plus, the 19th-ranked UA women's basketball team picks up win No. 125 for Adia Barnes, sweeping the ASU Sun Devils in Tempe. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Star's Justin Spears, Bruce Pascoe and P.J. Brown discuss the latest updates in both Arizona Wildcats basketball programs following their road losses. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tucson native and former Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Jamarye Joiner joined the Star's Justin Spears on "Spears and Ali" on ESPN Tucson 1490-AM. Joiner discussed why he's transferring to Jacksonville State and reuniting with head coach Rich Rodriguez, who recruited Joiner to play quarterback at Arizona, and offensive coordinator Rod Smith; plus, Joiner looks back on his time at Arizona and discu...

The Star's Justin Spears sits down with Star UA basketball insiders Bruce Pascoe and PJ Brown to discuss the latest in Wildcats basketball, including the first home loss of the Tommy Lloyd era and a preview of the Oregon trip, along with the UA women's basketball team sweeping the Oregon schools as they prepare for a three-game road swing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Arizona Daily Star sports editor Ryan Finley reminisces with the Star's Justin Spears and Michael Lev about his time covering the Arizona Wildcats and managing the Star sports department, as he prepares to take over the same role for the San Diego Union-Tribune. Tears may or may not have been shed. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Happy New Year! The Star sports staff looks back on notable moments in Arizona's athletic department from 2022 — and answers the burning questions for 2023. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the final time this season, the Star's Justin Spears, Michael Lev and sports editor Ryan Finley recap Year Two of the Jedd Fisch era, hand out season awards and look ahead to a busy offseason for the UA football program. Plus, the guys dive into the Twitter mailbag and preview the Pac-12 championship battle between USC and Utah. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Year Two of the Jedd Fisch era comes down to one last hurrah: The Territorial Cup showdown in Tucson against Arizona State. The Star's Justin Spears, Michael Lev and sports editor Ryan Finley preview Friday's game, dive into recent Territorial Cup history, and what a win would mean for both programs. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Arizona's let-down game against Washington State knocked the Wildcats out of a bowl game, but the UA has a season-defining matchup with Arizona State for the Territorial Cup. The Star's Justin Spears and Michael Lev look back on the Wildcats' loss to Washington State, and answer your Twitter mailbag questions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the "Jayden de Laura revenge game," the Arizona Wildcats host Washington State on Saturday with a chance to maintain their bowl eligibility. The Star's Justin Spears, Michael Lev and sports editor Ryan Finley breakdown everything you need to know about Saturday in Tucson, along with the rest of the Pac-12 slate. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Arizona takes down UCLA at the Rose Bowl for the first time in over a decade. The Star's Justin Spears and Michael Lev react to the Wildcats' program-building win at the Rose Bowl. However, the triumph in Pasadena came at a price, with left tackle Jordan Morgan exiting with a season-ending leg injury. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Star football team gears up for Arizona's final road game of the season as the Wildcats face No. 9 UCLA at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Is this a trap game for the Bruins? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three-star defensive end Nicholas Fernandez joined the Star's Justin Spears on ESPN Tucson's "Spears and Ali" Thursday afternoon to talk about his commitment to the Arizona Wildcats. The 6-4, 265-pound San Pedro, California product chose the UA over Boise State, Washington State and Colorado State, among others. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.