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Once things finally calmed down after Lute Olson retired and Jeff Withey was released from the Arizona Wildcats program, things became pretty smooth for Russ Pennell off the court this season.

Except this Garland Judkins thing won't go away.

Pennell, UA's interim head coach, suspended Judkins for the second game this season on Saturday against Oregon State, and said Monday only that Judkins "will be back for practice — we'll just take it day-by-day."

Whether that means Judkins will definitively return for Thursday's game at UCLA is unclear. Asked if Judkins still had more to prove, Pennell said "he's got to show me something all the time."

Judkins also did not make the trip for the Wildcats' Dec. 5 game at Texas A&M for what Pennell indicated were attitude-related reasons, but Pennell has been reluctant to discuss anything about his absence Saturday.

"Let me just say this, and this is a general statement: Anything that detracts from the team bothers me," Pennell said. "Whether that's an uninformed fan, a player not doing right, or anything that takes away from the basketball team. And that's where I want to leave it. Because when I come in here and talk, I want to talk about the stuff that matters and the people that are with us and 100 percent onboard."

There is an argument that Judkins may matter less these days. He lost his starting off-guard job to Kyle Fogg at Texas A&M, and the move turned out to be permanent. Meanwhile, reserve wings Zane Johnson and Brendon Lavender have improved off the bench, taking away minutes that might have been Judkins'.

Against Oregon on Thursday, Fogg played 18 minutes, Johnson played 19, Lavender played five, and Judkins played seven.

However, in one sense, Pennell said, Judkins is as important as any other Wildcat.

"He matters a lot because he's one of my guys, and I really do look at these guys as our own kids," Pennell said. "I know it's not to that depth, but it's close. And I wouldn't turn my back on my own kids, and I'm not gonna turn my back on my own players. So it does matter from a personal standpoint, but, basketball-wise, some other guys have stepped up. I like what Zane is doing and what Brendon is doing."

Judkins was not among the selected UA players available during Monday's news conferences.

After Pennell took the Wildcats straight off the airplane and into McKale Center last week following an 0-2 Bay Area trip, he went easier on them this weekend.

The Wildcats enjoyed their first full day off since Christmas on Sunday and did mostly non-physical work Monday.

"It feels good," wing Chase Budinger said. "It feels good to rest the body, get extra sleep and just recharge."

Pennell said he had the Wildcats watch film and do some weight lifting Monday, noting that they were also "mentally drained" during a sweep of the Oregon schools they knew they had to get.

The rest could be of the most benefit to center Jordan Hill, who has been battling leg and back problems this season. But Pennell said both injuries, including the leg muscle strain that kept him out Dec. 29 against Weber State, are not causing him major trouble anymore.

"He says his leg feels better," Pennell said. "He'll be ready for Thursday."

Arizona players had the perfect chance to get ahead on their film study Sunday night, when UCLA beat USC 64-60.

Budinger said several players watched the telecast of the game and that, at least for him, it was not a casual viewing.

"I kind of analyze it," Budinger said. "I sometimes watch a certain player on the offensive end going against UCLA, and seeing things that he can do right and the things he can do wrong. I see if there are gaps there or not and try to analyze it a little further and incorporate it into my game. But it is completely different when you're watching it with the coaches."

The Wildcats will face UCLA on Thursday at Pauley Pavilion and USC on Saturday at the Galen Center.