Arizona forward Brandon Ashley done for the year

January 29, 2014; Stanford, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Sean Miller (left) instructs forward Brandon Ashley (21) against the Stanford Cardinal during the first half at Maples Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Saturday night is usually reserved for some good times and relaxation to be had by folks who work hard all week for a few extra bucks. It is not, however, supposed to feel like the end of the world for college basketball programs. That was the feeling for fans of the Arizona Wildcats as they lost their first game of the year and — more importantly — lost Brandon Ashley for the remainder of the season.

Ashley was hurt doing what any respectable forward would do, attempting to follow a missed shot. While Ashley was coming down, though, he fell awkwardly on an opponent’s foot. He would return to the bench later in the game with some ice attached to his lower extremities, but that was only until his foot was put in a protective cast just a short time after.

A loss is just a loss. Especially when it is a team’s first and it comes before Valentine’s Day even makes men throughout the globe into sniffling little dweebs. Losing a key member of your team, however, is an arrow from Cupid the Wildcats could have done without.

Arizona should be fine for the most part. Brandon Ashely is a good player, but is only one of the many talented Wildcats on the roster. Guys like Nick Johnson, Aaron Gordon and the like will just (“just”, like it’s easy or something) have to pick up their games.

No pressure.