-- Gilbert Arenas' first shot tonight will be scrutinized. It could be the biggest shot any Arizona player takes against Duke in the NCAA Tournament national championship game.Arenas injured his shoulder cutting through a screen during the semifinal win over Michigan State. He left the game but returned and ended up with an NCAA Tournament semifinal record of six steals. Arenas said he could have played if needed Sunday, but he was walking gingerly into the locker room and around the Metrodome.Arenas' presence Monday night is imperative for the Wildcats. Not just his offense, but also his defense. His long reach is a must in defensive assignments against any one of three players he could guard in Chris Duhon, Jason Williams and/or Mike Dunleavy. Just how effective Gilbert Arenas can be is a key to tonight's title game. Arizona shot for only 15 minutes during its NCAA mandated one-hour practice Sunday, but that wasn't enough for Arenas to test his ailing right shoulder.So, with the help of assistant Jay John, Arenas, John and his son, went to De La Salle High School in downtown Minneapolis at 10:30 p.m. ET for a private session. Arenas took 3-pointers, 30-foot shots, mid-range shots and even kept throwing the ball up to the basket for rebounds to check his reflexes and range of motion.Everything checked out OK. At least well enough for Arenas to feel better about playing a key role against Duke."He needed and wanted to test it," John said Monday afternoon, a few hours before the Wildcats were set to tip off against Duke for the national title at the Metrodome. "He kept getting better with each shot. A friend of mine did me a favor (by opening the gym) and it worked out for us."Arenas told reporters Sunday that he felt better every time he moved and that was certainly the case Sunday night, according to John. He was injured when he broke between 6-foot-8, 240-pound Andre Hutson and 6-9, 270-pound Zach Randolph to make a steal during th...
