Men's Basketball Continues Road Swing in Tucson at Nationally-Ranked Arizona

Tucson basketball fans will get an early look at a Northern Arizona team still searching for its first win when the Lumberjacks visit Arizona on Tuesday at McKale Center at ALKEME Arena. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. MST and will be the third consecutive road contest to open NAU’s season. For Arizona, the matchup offers a chance to build momentum at home after a split during the opening week. For NAU, it is a difficult opportunity to reset after losses at UNLV and New Mexico.

The programs are meeting for the 130th time, with Arizona holding a commanding 104 to 25 advantage in the series. The Wildcats have won 35 consecutive games against the Lumberjacks, including an 84 to 49 result last season. NAU’s most recent victory over Arizona came in 1968, making Tuesday’s game part of one of the longest active stretches of dominance in the matchup’s history.

Northern Arizona enters Tucson at 0 and 2 after falling 94 to 65 at New Mexico on Saturday night in Albuquerque. Despite the result, Chris Komin continued his strong start, scoring 21 points while adding six rebounds and six assists. Komin has produced at least 20 points in each of the Lumberjacks’ first two games, a feat achieved by only two other NAU players since 1993 when starting a season.

Through two games, Komin is averaging 22.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and four assists per contest. He is shooting 55.7 percent from the field and 46.2 percent from three point range. Those numbers place him 44th nationally in scoring and first in the Big Sky Conference. His performance gives NAU a clear offensive focal point, but the Lumberjacks will need more consistent production and possession control to withstand an Arizona team with considerable size and scoring depth.

Ryan Abelman and Lucas Toukam have joined Komin in double figures in both games. Abelman is averaging 12 points per game and has made three three pointers in each contest, while shooting 35.3 percent from beyond the arc. Toukam is averaging 11.5 points and leads the team with six rebounds per game. He has been efficient from the floor, converting 52.9 percent of his attempts. Their continued contributions will be especially important against an Arizona frontcourt that includes one of the nation’s top preseason players.

The visit also brings Dylan Anderson back to Tucson. Anderson began his college career with Arizona after emerging from Perry High School as a former top 100 prospect. He spent two seasons with the Wildcats before transferring to Boise State and then Murray State, eventually joining Northern Arizona. Anderson made his first start for the Lumberjacks against New Mexico, finishing with eight points, four rebounds and one assist in 26 minutes.

Turnovers have been a major concern for NAU in the opening two games. The Lumberjacks are averaging 17 turnovers per game, and those mistakes have produced an average of 21.5 points for their opponents. At the other end, NAU has forced only 12 turnovers total against UNLV and New Mexico, leading to 12 points from those opportunities. Against Arizona, limiting giveaways and creating more pressure defensively could determine whether the Lumberjacks can keep the game competitive.

Arizona was picked by the Big 12’s coaches and media to win the conference and began the season ranked fifth in the Associated Press preseason poll and fourth in the coaches poll. The Wildcats finished last season 36 and 3 and reached the Final Four. They are 1 and 1 so far this season, losing 84 to 75 to No. 22 UCLA at a neutral site in Las Vegas before responding with a 104 to 84 home victory over Cal Poly last Thursday.

The Wildcats are led by Motiejus Krivas and Ivan Kharchenkov. Krivas, the Big 12 preseason player of the year and a preseason All American, is averaging 19 points and 8.5 rebounds through two games. He also has eight blocks, ranking eighth in the country. Kharchenkov is averaging 27 points, seventh nationally, and has recorded a double double in each of Arizona’s first two games while averaging 10 rebounds. The combination presents a significant challenge for an NAU team that will need disciplined defense, strong rebounding and a low turnover total.

Tuesday’s game will be available to stream on ESPN Plus. The Northern Arizona Healthcare NAU Lumberjack Radio Network will carry the radio broadcast, with James Malamas beginning the pregame show at 6:30 p.m. MST. For Tucson spectators, the game will provide an opportunity to see a nationally ranked Arizona team continue its early season development while also welcoming back Anderson and watching whether Komin’s rapid scoring start can translate against one of the country’s strongest programs.