arances, interceptions and blocks, won more duels and aerial battles, completed more passes and scored more goals per 90 minutes

TUCSON, Ariz. -- Arizona went into preseason camp with numerous issues to address. There was a new defensive coaching staff installing a new system, a quarterback competition despite a returning starter and new faces on special teams.All of that became secondary on Aug. 8 when the team learned of the death of offensive lineman Zach Hemmila.The senior died in his sleep, leaving a hole in the Wildcats line and a much bigger one in their hearts.Everybody in our program is hurting, Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez said.Hemmilas death came early in camp and is something the Wildcats will carry with them into what already had the potential to become a difficult season.After four seasons of struggling on defense, Rodriguez replaced his defensive coaching staff, hoping a new approach would work. With that could come some growing pains as players try to learn a new system.Arizona will move the ball in Rodriguezs quick-hitting offense, but who will be pulling the trigger is a question after Rodriguez said there will be competition for the quarterback job.The Wildcats, like every team in the Pac-12, also have a difficult schedule, with few easy weeks on the calendar.A few more things to look for from Arizona for the 2016 season:DEFENSIVE CHANGES: Arizona has consistently been one of the nations worst defenses, so Rodriguez fired coordinator Jeff Casteel and his defensive staff. He hired former Boise State defensive coordinator Marcel Yates to overhaul the defense. Arizona will abandon the 3-3-5 defense that Casteel installed and go to a more attacking defense in hopes of creating pressure and mistakes. Arizona will be relying on several inexperienced players on that side of the ball, so there could be a learning curve.THE QB: Junior Anu Solomon has two seasons of experience as Arizonas starting quarterback, but Rodriguez was not ready to automatically hand him the ball. Solomon struggled with injuries last season and wasnt as effective as he had been as a freshman when he was healthy. Rodriguez went into spring football saying he wanted competition for the starting job and Solomon will have to beat out Brandon Dawkins and freshman Khalil Tate to get it. Even if Solomon is the man, Dawkins will likely take his turns under center, as he did last season.WILSONS RETURN: Running back Nick Wilson had a strong freshman season, using his combination of power and speed to break Arizonas freshman rushing record with 1,375 yards and 16 touchdowns. Last season, he struggled with injuries and missed four games, finishing with 760 yards and nine touchdowns. Having Wilson healthy will force teams to play against the dive option in Rodriguezs zone-read offense, opening up holes to the outside.SPECIAL TEAMS: Arizona had to replace its kicker and punter from last season. One player could end up getting both jobs. Sophomore Josh Pollock is the only scholarship special teams player on the roster and could handle placekicking, punting and kickoffs. Thats a lot to handle, so the Wildcats could use someone else to handle punting duties -- if anyone steps up in camp.KEY GAMES: Oct. 1 at UCLA; Oct. 8 at Utah; Oct. 15 vs. USC; Nov. 25 vs. Arizona State.SEASON OPENER: Brigham Young, Sept. 3 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale. The Wildcats have had some relatively easy openers under Rodriguez, but this should be a test right out of the gate -- physically and emotionally.PREDICTION: 6-6, smaller bowl. The death of Hemmila will likely weigh heavily on the Wildcats, though it could be a rallying point for the season. Working against them is a difficult schedule and still plenty of questions on the defensive side of the ball. Avalanche Jerseys China .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. Stitched Avalanche Jerseys .C. -- Calgarys Kevin Koe did it the hard way again. https://www.cheapavalanche.com/ .C. -- Calgarys Kevin Koe did it the hard way again. Cheap Avalanche Jerseys . Ibaka equaled a career high with 20 rebounds, adding four blocked shots and 15 points as the Thunder smothered the Milwaukee Bucks offence in a 92-79 victory Saturday night. Fake Avalanche Jerseys . Louis Cardinals. Victorino is batting sixth and playing right field after missing two games because of back tightness.Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk has emerged as one of the Premier Leagues standout defenders - and the stats support his growing reputation. The 24-year-old started his career at Dutch side Willem II, before moving to FC Groningen on a free transfer in 2010 and then heading to Scotland in 2013 to join Celtic for £2.5m - enjoying two successful, title-winning seasons with the Scottish champions.Southampton manager and fellow countryman Ronald Koeman lured Van Dijk to the English south coast with a £13m move in September 2015, having failed to sign Toby Alderweireld on a permanent transfer. Van Dijk took little time to adapt to the English game and has become one of the top-performing defenders in his inaugural Premier League season, consistently making the Sky Sports Power Rankings top 10 and currently sitting 10th in the season rankings. But what are the stats behind his success? Southampton currently sit seventh in the Premier League table and are real contenders for European qualification come May. Van Dijk has played the full 90 minutes of 27 consecutive league games since his transfer from Celtic, helping the Saints keep 10 clean sheets.The stats suggest the Dutchman excels in all areas of defence: he made more clearances, interceptions and blocks, won more duels and aerial battles, completed more passes and scored more goals per 90 minutes than the league defender average this term.ddddddddddddis six-foot, three-inch frame has helped him win more than five aerials per game on average - three more than the league average. Thats more than any other defender. He has also won nearly eight duels per game, compared to the league average of just over five. Virgil van Dijk has scored three Premier League goals The Netherlands international also provides an attacking threat, scoring three goals for Ronald Koemans men this season. That makes him the leagues joint-second top-scoring defender, behind Scott Danns five goals for Crystal Palace. Van Dijk will be tasked with nullifying league leaders Leicester on Super Sunday, and besides shutting out Foxes duo Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez, the Dutchman will also be keen to impose an attacking threat from set pieces. Watch Leicester v Southamption live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 12.30pm on Super Sunday Also See: Koeman pays tribute to Cruyff WATCH: Koemans touchline sprint ' ' '