Over the course of the 2006 season, walk-on forward Bret Brielmaier became one of Arizona's most intriguing players thanks to his play in an expanded role for the Wildcats.

The Mankato, Minnesota native quietly evolved into a valuable contributor in the playing rotation and goes into 2007 with heightened expectations – with or without a scholarship.

Brielmaier took time out of his schedule to go one-on-one and answer a number of questions surrounding his situation at Arizona.

GOAZCATS.com: How do you look at your role on the team?

Bret Brielmaier: I look at my role on the team as the guy who will no matter what get stuff done. There is a joke on the team about how unathletic I am but somehow still manage to get rebounds and play defense.

I'm the guy who will dive on the floor for the loose balls, jump into the courtside fans for that extra possession and take the charge when the game is on the line. God that sounds like a giant cliché but it's the truth.

I know I will never be a great scorer which doesn't bother me because we have great shooters like Marcus and Ivan whose job it is to get those big numbers. I also try my best to keep people smiling and keep the game fun.

Everyone knows how long practices get at times, and even the season, so I just try to make a joke here or there or even serenade someone with an N'Sync song. I like nothing better then to see someone smile or get a good laugh.

GOAZCATS.com: What agreement do you have with the staff for next year and the future in general?

Bret Brielmaier: The only agreement that I have with the staff is that I will be here everyday playing my game and doing anything I can to help the program until the day I graduate.

But in terms of a scholarship, I really have no idea. If I get one great, if not you will still see me here with the same intensity and fire that I have given day in and day out. In some ways I think not having school paid for has made me work even harder for both my education and basketball ability.

It's also made me appreciate how fortunate I was to be given the opportunity to prove myself here in Arizona and become a part of the tradition.

GOAZCATS.com: What is the story behind the rumors about you playing football?

Bret Brielmaier: Ha-ha, I love that question. As far as I know the rumors are just that, rumors. I know for a fact that I will not be playing football this upcoming season. I can't give a positive answer to whether I ever play but maybe someday. I have talked to a bunch of the football coaches and they keep telling me I have the perfect make up. Maybe someday I will test it out and see how it goes.

It's fun to talk to my brother who is at Cleveland's training camp right now and hearing his stories. Who knows, maybe I will gain 20 pounds this summer and have no choice but to throw on the helmet and have Wilbur open the can of noise for getting six for the Cats.

GOAZCATS.com: What's a typical weekend like for you and your roommates (Fellow Wildcat Daniel Dillon and ex-Cat Isaiah Fox as of last season)?

Bret Brielmaier: A typical weekend… well Friday night I stay in and read philosophy and poetry. I'm a huge fan of Archimedes and his work. Saturday I usually wake up early and make a nice breakfast including some egg whites, pork sausage or bacon, or some pancakes and have a couple glasses of orange juice. I like to finish breakfast with a handful of powder protein strait from the container, Coach Edmonds says if I want to be as big and beautiful as him that's what I need to do.

After breakfast I make a mixture of apple sauce and organic cottage cheese, which I cover myself to exfoliate and nourish my skin. It's also tasty when you get done. I proceed to shower and get my day started.

Saturday night I usually go and karaoke somewhere. My favorite songs include "Truly Madly Deeply Do" by Savage Garden (one of Daniel's favorites by the way, they're aboriginal). Next I would throw out some, "A Country Boy Can Survive", by Hank Williams Jr. And if the crowd is getting a little bored, and tired of the usual I will bust out some Jay- Z ("Can I get a…") or a little Biggie ("Dead Wrong"). They are usually both a huge hit.

Sunday morning I usually wake up and go eat with all the roomies at a local establishment known as KG's. So tasty!! Sunday I like to relax, watch some TV. If it's football season I'm in heaven and will watch that a lot of the day.

That's enough garbage but would have made an interesting story, but in reality, on the weekends my roommates and I usually will go out Friday night if we aren't in season to mingle with the college folk and just relax a bit. I'm a big fan of meeting new people and I find going out the best way to do that.

Saturday I usually just relax and enjoy a day away from class and usually basketball related activities. Usually go out Saturday night and continue to mingle with my friends and try to meet new people. The only thing true from that long story above is going to breakfast at KG's. I have to say they have an amazing cheap breakfast if you haven't enjoyed their snack I suggest it.

GOAZCATS.com: From a perspective like mine, it seemed like last year's seniors never evolved into leaders or go-to guys. Tell me why that may change next season?

Bret Brielmaier: I think this upcoming year you will see a leadership that was lacking immensely from last year both on and off the court. This year Ivan has already made it known that we are going to have discipline on and off the floor as well as be a unit with the idea of winning, not just personal accomplishments.

In no way am I saying that everyone was playing for themselves last year but there were times when I think it was on some peoples' agendas. Ivan and Kirk have also set up times for us to play pickup together as well setting up bbq's and other fun stuff just to spend more time together.

We also lacked a voice on the floor last year that at times cost us. We didn't have someone to pull the team together and remind all the players that we have ARIZONA across our chest and we need to play with the tradition, pride, and attitude that such a name represents.

This won't be done by one person this year but by everyone all the way from the coaching staff, to us players, all the way down the our beloved managers. We all know what we need to do both on and off the court to reach our goal and bring another national title back to the deserving fans of Tucson.

GOAZCATS.com: It's obvious that you are a very valuable part of the team, how hard is it for you to not push for more minutes, etc.?

Bret Brielmaier: First off I will say I push for more minutes every time I set foot on the floor during practice, moving weights in the weight room, and doing anything necessary in game situations. But I don't look at not getting 20 minutes a game as a bad things but not an opportunity that was best suited for my style of play and ability.

If I don't play a single minute but Arizona got a win, I'm pumped. If I got 20 minutes and played well but we still lost, I'm pissed. I don't waste my time thinking I deserve more playing time or even more attention; I care about winning and my teammates.