The Wildcast

The Wildcast

Michael Lev and friends break down the Arizona Wildcats. A product of the Arizona Daily Star and Tucson.com.
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The Wildcast
The Wildcast, Episode 587: Previewing Arizona vs. West Virginia, other Big 12 football games

The final pre-RichRod Bowl podcast takes a trip down memory lane and previews notable storylines heading into the Arizona-West Virginia showdown in Morgantown, along with other games around the Big 12.

01:05:08
Oct 8, 2026 8:20 PM
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More Episodes

The Wildcast
The Wildcast, Episode 586: Talking RichRod Bowl week and the latest Arizona football updates

The Star's Justin Spears and Michael Lev discuss Rich Rodriguez's time at Arizona ahead of the Wildcats' matchup with West Virginia. Plus, with Tre Spivey out for the season, who steps up at receiver for the Wildcats? Is this the best rushing defense since Desert Swarm? 

00:55:28
Oct 6, 2026 5:56 PM
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The Wildcast
The Wildcast, Episode 585: Previewing the Arizona-Cincinnati matchup, other notable Big 12 games

Arizona kicks off the bulk of its Big 12 schedule against the Cincinnati Bearcats on Saturday. The Star's Justin Spears, Michael Lev and Sports360AZ's Jordan Hamm preview the UA-Cincy game, along with other Big 12 football games.

00:51:41
Oct 1, 2026 7:40 PM
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The Wildcast
The Wildcast, Episode 584: What did we learn from Arizona's win over Washington State?

The Star's Justin Spears and Michael Lev return to discuss Arizona's come-from-behind win over Washington State and answer your mailbag questions. 

00:45:01
Sep 29, 2026 12:4 AM
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The Wildcast
The Wildcast, Episode 583: Previewing the Arizona-Washington State game, other notable Big 12 games

Arizona is returning to the Palouse for the first time since 2023 — as a nonconference opponent. The Star's Justin Spears and Michael Lev break down the Arizona-Wazzu game and memories in Pullman. Jordan Hamm from Sports360AZ joins the podcast to predict notable Big 12 football games. 

01:08:25
Sep 24, 2026 4:32 PM
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The Wildcast
The Wildcast, Episode 583: Previewing the Arizona-Washington State game, other notable Big 12 games

Arizona is returning to the Palouse for the first time since 2023 — as a nonconference opponent. The Star's Justin Spears and Michael Lev break down the Arizona-Wazzu game and memories in Pullman. Jordan Hamm from Sports360AZ joins the podcast to predict notable Big 12 football games. 

01:08:25
Sep 24, 2026 1:32 PM
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The Wildcast
The Wildcast, Episode 582: Previewing Arizona-Northern Illinois, other notable Big 12 football games

What version of Arizona football can people expect when the Wildcats host Northern Illinois on Saturday? The Star's Justin Spears and Michael Lev preview the Arizona-NIU game, Noah Fifita chasing history and the Wildcats bouncing back from their latest loss. Plus, another round of Big 12 Bonanza featuring Jordan Hamm from Sports360AZ. 

01:12:04
Sep 16, 2026 11:47 PM
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The Wildcast
The Wildcast, Episode 581: Breaking down Arizona-BYU, answering mailbag questions

Following the Arizona Wildcats' loss to No. 15 BYU, the Star's Justin Spears and Michael Lev break down interesting fourth-down calls, lack of offense in the second half and what the UA could learn from the setback. Plus, we answer your mailbag questions.

00:46:17
Sep 14, 2026 2:38 PM
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The Wildcast
The Wildcast, Episode 580: Previewing the Arizona-BYU game in Provo, other notable Big 12 football games

It's finally here. Arizona. BYU. Big 12 opener in Week 2 of the college football season — and it features two teams that are considered contenders for the conference title race. Can the Wildcats get a W in Provo for the first time since 1975? The Star's Justin Spears and Michael Lev preview the Arizona-BYU game and make predictions for the Big 12 football slate this weekend. 

01:03:52
Sep 10, 2026 6:57 PM
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The Wildcast
The Wildcast, Episode 579: Answering Arizona football mailbag questions, reviewing NAU game

After Arizona's season-opening win over Northern Arizona, the Star's Justin Spears and Michael Lev discuss notable storylines and answer your mailbag questions ahead of UA-BYU in Provo.

00:41:31
Sep 8, 2026 1:1 PM
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The Wildcast
The Wildcast, Episode 578: Previewing the Arizona-NAU game, other Big 12 matchups

It's game week! The Star's Justin Spears and Michael Lev return to preview the Arizona-NAU matchup, among other games, with in-state colleague Jordan Hamm.

01:10:49
Sep 3, 2026 4:19 AM
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The Wildcast
The Wildcast, Episode 577: Post-Lithuania check-in on Arizona men's basketball; plus, the NCAA eligibility mess

Host Michael Lev is joined by Daily Star colleague Bruce Pascoe to break down the Arizona men's basketball team's performance during its three-game exhibition tour in Lithuania.  Michael and Bruce discuss Ivan Kharchenkov's potential breakout, five-star freshman Caleb Holt's non-shooting contributions and more. They also discuss the ongoing mess regarding NCAA eligibility for UA basketball player RJ Godfrey and football players Max Harris and Ismail Mahdi.

00:51:19
Aug 24, 2026 1:0 PM
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The Wildcast
The Wildcast, Episode 576: Discussing Arizona football training camp updates, biggest surprises

The Arizona Wildcats are about three weeks away from the season. What are the biggest surprises in training camp? The Star's Justin Spears and Michael Lev have an in-depth conversation about all things UA football.

00:47:13
Aug 15, 2026 5:25 PM
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The Wildcast
The Wildcast, Episode 575: Recapping first week of Arizona football training camp

With a few practices in the books, Arizona football beat writer Justin Spears and Star columnist Michael Lev discuss notable storylines from UA's fall training camp.

00:40:31
Aug 7, 2026 4:31 PM
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The Wildcast
The Wildcast, Episode 574: Bobby Wade talks Arizona receiver rotation, fastest Wildcats, notable newcomers, T-Mac's rookie season, and Noah Fifita's legacy

Arizona assistant head coach and wide receivers coach Bobby Wade joins the Star's Justin Spears and Michael Lev to discuss the depth at wide receiver for the Wildcats, Tre Spivey's next gear, leaders of the WR group, notable newcomers, Tetairoa McMillan's rookie season, and Noah Fifita being the best No. 1 in UA history. The Wildcast Podcast is presented by Pima Federal Credit Union. 

00:38:35
Jul 30, 2026 2:38 PM
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The Wildcast
The Wildcast, Episode 573: Ivan Kharchenkov discusses summer goals, Year 2 at Arizona, and growing up in Germany

Arizona sophomore forward Ivan Kharchenkov joined The Wildcast Podcast to reflect on his first season at Arizona, potentially playing more minutes at power forward, gaining muscle in the summer and hosting a camp in Germany, among other things.

00:32:26
Jul 23, 2026 1:58 PM
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The Wildcast
The Wildcast, Episode 572: Arizona defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales discusses UA's defense, breakout players, revenge vs. BYU, coaching plans

With training camp right around the corner, Arizona defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales joined The Wildcast to talk about the offseason, coaching plans, Arizona's schedule, potential breakout players, leaders of the defense, and the Wildcats' eagerness to play BYU.

00:52:02
Jul 14, 2026 12:4 PM
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The Wildcast
The Wildcast, Episode 571: Chip Hale on UA baseball's offseason moves and the decision that changed his life

Host Michael Lev of the Arizona Daily Star and Tucson.com is joined by Arizona baseball coach Chip Hale. Michael and Chip talk about the Wildcats' offseason moves so far, including the hiring of new hitting coach Jack Meggs and the promotion of Garen Caulfield. They discuss right-hander Owen Kramkowski's outlook in the July 11-12 MLB Draft. And Chip tells the story of how he came to be an Arizona Wildcat in the first place.

00:34:41
Jul 8, 2026 1:45 PM
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The Wildcast
The Wildcast, Episode 570: Getting to know Arizona freshman Cameron Holmes and checking in on UA running backs with Lyle Moevao

Two guests for Fourth of July weekend! First, host Michael Lev is joined by Arizona men's basketball freshman Cameron Holmes. They talk about Holmes' older brother, DaRon, who just completed his first season in the NBA; Holmes' new teammate and roommate, Caleb Holt; and what Holmes' learned from the heartbreaking ending to his high school career.

Then Lev is joined by Arizona running backs coach Lyle Moevao. Moevao discusses what makes Brent Brennan such a good leader; what led to the Wildcats' turnaround last year; how the RB room is shaping up for 2026; and what it was like for Moevao and Oregon State to upset No. 1 USC in 2008.

00:45:10
Jul 2, 2026 3:45 PM
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The Wildcast
The Wildcast, Episode 569: Becky Burke discusses Arizona's offseason rebuild, settling into Year 2

Arizona women's basketball head coach Becky Burke joins the podcast to discuss the Wildcats' offseason rebuild, notable newcomers and competing in an Ironman competition.

00:35:55
Jun 25, 2026 4:6 PM
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The Wildcast
The Wildcast, Episode 568: Is Arizona's roster finalized for the 2026-27 season? How many Cats get drafted?

The Star's Justin Spears, Bruce Pascoe and Michael Lev have a roundtable discussion about the upcoming Arizona basketball roster. How many Wildcats get selected in the NBA Draft? Where will Koa Peat land? 

00:47:12
Jun 18, 2026 1:39 PM
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The Wildcast
The Wildcast, Episode 567: Honoring the best Arizona athletes, coaches, teams and moments from the 2025-26 sport season

The 2025-26 sports calendar is coming to a close for the Arizona Wildcats, so the Star's Justin Spears and Michael Lev hand out (virtual) awards to the best athletes, coaches and teams. 

00:45:47
May 30, 2026 2:14 PM
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The Wildcast
The Wildcast, Episode 566: What went wrong for Arizona softball and what does the future hold for the program?

Host Michael Lev is joined by Kim Doss of Arizona Desert Swarm. The two unpack the just-concluded Arizona softball season, which ended one win shy of a Super Regional berth for the second straight year. Michael and Kim break down the Durham Regional, speculate on transfer-portal possibilities and discuss the future of head coach Caitlin Lowe, who has only one year left on her contract.

00:46:06
May 19, 2026 12:30 PM
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The Wildcast
The Wildcast, Episode 565: UA men's tennis coach Clancy Shields on building a winner, growing the sport

Daily Star sports staffers Justin Spears and Michael Lev are joined by Arizona men's tennis coach Clancy Shields, who has led his team to the first Elite Eight appearance in program history. Shields reflects on the Wildcats' Sweet 16 comeback, discusses what it took to build the program up, pushes back against schools that are cutting tennis and relays the origin story of No. 1 player Jay Friend. 

00:33:34
May 12, 2026 7:30 PM
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The Wildcast
The Wildcast, Episode 564: Arizona men's basketball spring roster breakdown

Host Michael Lev is joined by Daily Star men's basketball beat reporter Bruce Pascoe to break down what Arizona's roster looks like entering the NBA Scouting Combine. Michael and Bruce discuss areas where returning players can improve, how portal pickups will fit in, the potential instant impact of freshman Caleb Holt and the latest on Koa Peat. Is he as good as gone or possibly coming back for another year?

00:45:50
May 6, 2026 3:15 PM
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