Tommy Lloyd has changed the conversation in Tucson. After guiding Arizona to its first Final Four in 25 years last season, he now enters the year with the kind of expectations that don’t leave much room for a slow start. A national title push, or at the very least another deep tournament run, is the standard now.
The roster fits that ambition. Arizona brings back Mo Krivas and Ivan Kharchenkov, and Lloyd has added a strong freshman headliner in Caleb Holt plus transfer help from RJ Godfrey of Clemson, Derek Dixon of North Carolina and JJ Mandaquit of Washington.
Fans got a first glimpse of that group during the team’s foreign tour to Lithuania this summer, but the annual Red-Blue Showcase will give them a fuller look this Saturday, Sep. 26.
The event doubles as Arizona’s unofficial season opener and a chance to introduce the newcomers in front of the home crowd. Along with the scrimmage, the night includes activities such as a three point shootout and slam dunk contest, giving supporters a chance to see the team in a looser setting before the real games begin.
It’s also a major recruiting stop for Lloyd. Three 2027 prospects are scheduled to be on campus: 5-star guard Adan Diggs, 5-star center Darius Wabbington and 4-star forward Kamsi Awaka. A loud McKale Center, a few celebrity appearances and a strong showing on the floor could all matter if Arizona wants to leave a mark on that group.
There’s more on the line than just the top-end names, too. The showcase can be a launchpad for players who haven’t gotten much attention yet, whether they’re new to the program or simply buried on the depth chart.
Holt is expected to draw plenty of buzz, but Cameron Holmes could be one of the names to watch as well. Arizona’s frontcourt is crowded, which makes Saturday a chance for players like Ugnius Jarusevicius, Evan Otten and redshirt Mabil Mawut to make their case.
The doors to McKale Center open at 1:00 PM. For fans who aren’t heading to Tucson, here’s how to watch the event on Saturday afternoon:
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For Doege, the run-game problems begin with him, not with the personnel or the overall plan, which puts the focus on execution and coaching before anything else. Gonzales faces a matchup that could help his side steady itself, since Washington States defense has been giving up a lot of rushing production this season. If Arizona can clean up those two areas quickly, it would go a long way toward changing the feel of its season. [Read more 🡒]