Photos: Arizona blows through San Francisco 93-69

Arizona opened its home season with a 93-69 exhibition victory over San Francisco on Oct. 13 at McKale Center, giving Tucson fans an early look at the Wildcats in game action. The wide margin reflected a night in which Arizona repeatedly turned defensive pressure, loose balls and transition opportunities into scoring chances. The game also offered the first home setting of the season for head coach Tommy Lloyd and his team, with the atmosphere beginning before tipoff as the pom and cheer squads performed during the introduction festivities.

The Wildcats’ energy was evident in the opening minutes. Guard Caleb Holt celebrated after making an early 3 pointer, while Arizona players pursued the ball aggressively on both ends of the court. Holt battled San Francisco guard Andrew Hilman for possession and later tried to strip forward Gustav Knudsen. In another first half sequence, Arizona center Motiejus Krivas and forward Ivan Kharchenkov surrounded Hilman as he attempted a shot. The effort was not always clean, but the repeated contests and scrambles made it difficult for the Dons to operate comfortably.

Arizona’s frontcourt provided a major presence around the basket. Krivas fought for position against San Francisco center Ismaila Diagne and was involved in several physical plays in the lane. The Wildcats’ center also went to the floor with guard Derek Dixon while trying to win a loose ball from Diagne. Later, Krivas finished a dunk in the second half, adding to a series of inside plays that helped Arizona maintain control. Forward Ugnius Jarusevicius also worked in the paint, pulling down an inlet pass despite pressure from Hilman and later forcing his way under Diagne for a chance near the basket.

Kharchenkov was another prominent figure in Arizona’s attack and defensive activity. He finished a fast break with a dunk over Diagne, put up a floater under the basket and made a diving attempt to take the ball from Knudsen. His night also included physical defensive work, as he and Krivas closed in on Hilman in the first half. Cameron Holmes contributed to the Wildcats’ transition game as well, finishing a second half dunk after Arizona forced a break. Holmes also had to fight through San Francisco’s pressure, with Knudsen and Hilman combining to strip the ball from him in one first half sequence.

The game featured plenty of contact and pursuit away from the scoring plays. Guard JJ Mandaquit was shown driving into traffic and drawing a foul from San Francisco guard Jaylen Hunter-Coleman. Mandaquit later defended Dyla Bordon on a drive, with the two players competing for position in the paint. Mandaquit and San Francisco’s Dylan Gordon also raced after a loose ball in the first half. Arizona guard Bryce James swiped the ball from Knudsen and later became tangled with Bordon while chasing another ball near the sideline.

San Francisco challenged Arizona with its own physical defense and interior play. Oosterbaan and Hilman pressured Holmes into losing possession, while Oosterbaan and Knudsen converged on Holt as he tried to reach the basket. Diagne contested Krivas around the lane, and San Francisco forward Adam Tyson reached in while defending Kharchenkov during the second half. The Dons’ players repeatedly battled Arizona for loose balls, including Knudsen and Kharchenkov in one first half scramble and Knudsen and Krivas in another. San Francisco coach Chris Gerlufsen used a Wildcats free throw to discuss strategy with Hunter-Coleman.

Arizona’s depth was visible throughout the exhibition. In addition to Holt, Mandaquit, James, Dixon and Holmes, the Wildcats’ on court group included Krivas, Kharchenkov, Jarusevicius and Mabil Mawut. Arizona also showed different ways to attack, from Holt’s outside shooting to Kharchenkov’s floater, the forwards’ work inside and the team’s ability to score in transition. Addison Arnold took a contested shot over San Francisco guard Aidan Braccia in the second half, while Mawut was photographed finishing a dunk during warmups before the game.

The result gives Tucson a first home-season impression of an Arizona team that played with pace, defended aggressively and used its size around the rim. Because the matchup was an exhibition, the 93-69 outcome serves as an early glimpse rather than a full measure of the season ahead. Still, the home opener gave fans at McKale Center plenty to watch, from the pregame celebration to the final stretches of a game marked by dunks, contested drives, steals, loose-ball battles and constant pressure. Lloyd’s low-five with Krivas during the second half captured the home team’s confident mood as Arizona completed its dominant opening performance.