Thanksgiving blessings: What Arizona Wildcats fans can be thankful for

Thanksgiving 2017 had us thinking about what we were thankful for as Arizona Wildcats fans, here is our stab at it.

There are many things to be thankful for this year as Thanksgiving weekend approaches. If you are an Arizona Wildcats fan, there are specific things you can be thankful for. If you have more to add, please tweet at us, reply to this in the comments section, we want to hear it all! Here are several things we came up with.

AD Dave Heeke is applying for an alcohol license for McKale Center (then Arizona Stadium).

Wildcats fans have been asking for since anyone can remember. The thought is that fans will come and stay longer if there is alcohol being served at sporting venues. Hear Hear!

Rawle Alkins foot is healing fast.

When we heard King Rawle was down with a broken foot and it would take 8-12 weeks for him to heal, hearts sank all over the nation. But in week six he got his boot off, and in week eight he was dunking before a game and at practice. It hasn’t been the same without Alkins. His tenacious defense and second-chance points and his hustle will help the Cats be utterly dominant when he returns.

Arizona Basketball: King Rawle Alkins rolling onto the court and through recovery

Arizona Basketball guard Rawle Alkins was looking forward to the Red and Blue game, he had planned on busting out something new for the Red and Blue game.

The Arizona Rugby Team are Champions.

The Cal Bears have owned the Rugby title for the first time. The Pac Sevens Champions beat the Cal Bears in the finals to dethrone the Bears in a stunning upset.

"The Wildcats started the Pac Rugby Sevens Championship sizzling, outscoring its opponents 89-7 on day one of the conference tournament. In game one of the tournament, Arizona took on Stanford, dispatching the Cardinal by a 44-0 final!"

Arizona Rugby wins 2017 Pac-7’s Championship against Cal

If you thought the weekend couldn't get any better, Arizona Rugby adds the cherry on top after beating Cal to win the Pac-7's Championship!

The Women’s basketball team has a new motto and a great incoming class in 2018.

Coach Adia Barnes told us that she feels chemistry is really important on a team, especially hers. She has even come up with a team motto  ‘Made for it’ and it seems to have taken hold with players.

Adia has five verbal commitments including four four-star and one five-star athletes. Samaj Smith is 6-foot-5 forward from California, and Valeria Trucco is a 6-foot-3 forward from Italy. This seasons team is 2-0 on the season beating both Iona and Utah State convincingly. They are beating LMU right now 35-27 in the first half.

Arizona Basketball: Coach Adia Barnes building a whole new culture

A very enthusiastic Arizona Head Coach Adia Barnes spoke at Pac-12 Media Days in San Fransisco California and it was inspirational

Khalil Tate chose Arizona and didn’t flip and didn’t transfer.

I really don’t think we need to say more than we need to be thankful for Khalil Tate or we should just be thankful that Khalil Tate is a Wildcat. That his tenacity, competitiveness, speed, agility, leadership and never-give-up Heisman qualities are alive and well in Tucson.

But to go a bit farther, we should be thankful that he is a man of his word. When he committed to Arizona, even though Coach Helton pushed and tried hard to get Tate to flip, he never wavered.

Arizona Football: How and why to vote for Khalil Tate for Heisman

Khalil Tate's stock is still on the rise as he leads his Arizona Football team to victory against the Oregon State Beavers.

Chuck Cecil is on the Arizona Football coaching staff.

What more could you want than an Arizona Football Legend on your team’s staff? Chuck brings history, experience, expertise, and a positive mental attitude to the program. Everyone from his fellow coaches to his boss, to the players are benefitting from his return home.

Arizona Football is going to a bowl game with a winning record.

When most fans and almost every media outlet predicted a repeat 3-9 season, the Wildcats are currently 7-4 and could have easily been 9-2. This was such a fast flip of the program that Rich Rod’s seat is comfy and getting even sweeter with top-ranked recruits committing (re Adam Plant Jr.).

Arizona Basketball players are so awesome.

Arizona Basketball is undefeated and is ranked No. 2 in the Nation, but what makes the team so special is the players. From Deandre Ayton‘s domination on the boards and Allonzo Trier‘s from the outside shooting out the lights. From Parker Jackson-Cartwrights and Alex Barcello‘s floor general coaching and play-making ability to Keanu Pinder‘s blocking and defense. From Ira Lee‘s dunking and desire to play well to Brandon Randolphs shooting and hops.

From Dusan Ristic‘s floater and rebounds to Emmanuel Akot‘s defense and agility. From Dylan Smith’s clutch shots to Tyler Trillo and Jake Dejardin‘s threes. And don’t forget Rawle Alkins, his defense and monster slam dunks are missing, and he has added a three-point shot as well to his game.

You couldn’t ask for more. But there is more, there are Talbott Denny and Matt Weyand who we haven’t seen much, but we look forward to them getting some more minutes. And Ray Smith (still part of the team) and Kory Jones (recovering from an injury) along with Chase Jeter (transfer year) on the bench, not able to play but to support the team.

We are darn lucky to have this team to cheer for, and they are about to dominate NCAA Basketball.

Arizona pitcher Robby Medel hasn’t graduated yet.

The funniest, silliest, most enjoyable baseball player on the Wildcats roster. Last season he got a chance to show his skills as a pitcher along with getting the dugout rallying his team. Of course, we lost his sidekick Sawyer Gieseke, but now he can take on a leadership role.

Related Story: ZZ Posts about Robby and Sawyer and their lipsync videos

Paul Magloire is still engaging with fans.

How can this not be fun? To have a former beloved Arizona Football player interact with you on social media. Now that the NCAA handcuffs have been taken off, Paul is free-wheeling it out on Social Media. Check out his feed on Twitter, (@P_MAGLOIRE) especially this week which is Rivalry Week.

And finally……

We are not Arizona State University Sun Devil Fans.

Must Read: More on Arizona Basketball from ZZ....

Lastly, we are thankful for all of you, our readers and followers. You make it all worthwhile. Thank you for your analysis, feedback, corrections, and support. BEAR DOWN! Have a great Turkey Day!