Arizona didn’t waste much time showing the UCLA loss was behind it.
Tommy Lloyd’s team handled Cal Poly 104-84 on Thursday in Tucson, picking up its first win of the season and turning the home opener into a comfortable night after an early back-and-forth stretch. The Wildcats led 16-15 before ripping off a 27-7 surge that opened up a 21-point cushion, and that gap mostly held the rest of the way.
Motiejus Krivas was the headliner. After looking unlike himself in Monday’s opener, the preseason Big 12 Player of the Year came back with a career-best 30 points, plus 10 rebounds and two blocks.
He shot 10-13 from the field and 10-12 at the line, and Arizona kept feeding him all night. Caleb Holt added 21 points, Ivan Kharchenkov scored 16, and Cameron Holmes finished with 13 as all four Wildcats reached double figures.
Holmes gave Arizona exactly the kind of lift it needed from the bench. The freshman forward came out aggressive, scoring 11 of his points in the first half while going 5-6 from the floor.
In 10 minutes before halftime, he also added a rebound, an assist and a steal. He stayed productive after the break and put together his strongest showing yet in an Arizona uniform, whether you count the exhibition games or Monday’s opener.
His approach stood out. Holmes looked comfortable hunting his own offense, getting into transition and attacking the rim. That kind of early confidence matters, and it was clear the staff trusted him to create.
The rest of the bench was quieter. JJ Mandaquit logged 22 minutes and was steady enough, but he finished with two points, two assists and two rebounds on 0-2 shooting. The reserve bigs - Maksim Brnovic, Ugnius Jarusevicius and Evan Otten - got a longer look than they did against UCLA, but they combined for just eight points in 33 minutes and went 2-7 from the field.
Arizona didn’t need much help from its second unit to control this one, but the game still underscored how valuable RJ Godfrey would be once he’s back and starting at power forward.
Even with the score out of reach late, the Wildcats kept playing with bite. Caleb Holt dove on the floor for a loose ball in the middle of the second half, and a few minutes later Ivan Kharchenkov did the same before calling a timeout and getting the crowd going. At 83-56 with less than eight minutes left, Arizona still wasn’t interested in coasting.
That kind of effort will matter more than the final margin. After the UCLA loss, the Wildcats answered with energy, physicality and a star turn from Krivas.
Arizona stays in Tucson for its next game, a Tuesday matchup against Northern Arizona on Nov. 10 at 7:00 PM MST on ESPN+.
In Other News...
Arizona Faces A Pressure Point As TCU Tests Two Lingering Issues
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The pressure point is twofold: Arizona has had trouble getting its ground game consistently moving, and the defense is still sorting out how well it handles quarterbacks who can hurt you with their legs. Danny Gonzales has made clear that TCUs quarterback run game is part of what Arizona has to prepare for, and with a few weeks left in the regular season, this matchup offers another chance to see whether the Wildcats can clean up those issues before they become a bigger problem. [Read more 🡒]
Arizonas Frontcourt Wait Just Took Another Turn With RJ Godfrey
RJ Godfreys wait to get on the floor for Arizona has now moved from the practice court to the courtroom. The transfer forward and his attorneys filed a lawsuit in Pima County Superior Court as they seek a path to a fifth season, challenging the NCAAs five for five eligibility rule and asking for a temporary restraining order and injunction tied to his status.
Godfrey still has not played for the Wildcats this season, though he has been around the program, practicing with the team and sitting on the bench during games. For Arizona, the frontcourt picture remains in limbo until the legal process plays out, with the university now being asked to determine his eligibility under the NCAA bylaw at the center of the dispute. [Read more 🡒]
Arizonas Young Core Just Sent A Message In McKale Opener
Arizonas home opener at McKale Center had the feel of an early-season statement, with the Wildcats rolling past Cal Poly 104-84 behind a balanced performance that showcased just how much upside this young group can bring. Motiejus Krivas led the way with a career-high 30 points, while Ivan Kharchenkov filled the box score with 16 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and four steals as Arizona shot 54.5 percent overall and kept the pace firmly in its favor.
The win also continued a remarkable November run in Tucson, where Arizona has now won 52 of its last 53 games in the month at McKale since the 2012-13 season. Even in a game that featured plenty of scoring on both ends, the Wildcats energy and activity stood out, and the early returns suggest this roster already has the kind of depth and versatility that can make it difficult to handle once conference play arrives. [Read more 🡒]