The University of Arizona men’s basketball team beat the University of San Francisco 93-69 on Tuesday, Oct. 13, in McKale Center at ALKEME Arena, offering an early look at the 2026-27 team before the regular season begins.
Standouts
Arizona’s new addition, five-star freshman Caleb Holt, proved his spot as a Wildcat with 17 points, five rebounds and two assists, along with high-pressure defense on USF’s guards.
Derek Dixon, the sophomore transfer guard from the University of North Carolina, played 31 minutes and finished with 10 points.
For USF, guard Dylan Bordon was invaluable to the Dons’ offense, totaling 20 points, two assists and three rebounds.
First Half
The half started off with a three from sophomore Bryce James. After redshirting the 2025-26 season, James finally got his chance to play in front of the McKale crowd, and fans were excited to see him knock down the game’s first basket.
Arizona quickly grabbed the lead over the Dons. The Wildcats were consistent with flowing ball movement in and out of the key, looking for an opening.
That patience found Motiejus Krivas in the paint for a quick two points, followed by Dixon hitting a three on the next possession to give the Wildcats a 10-point lead with 14 minutes to go in the half.
On the other end, Arizona was defending the key and making it tough for USF to break through. That forced the Dons to take outside shots that weren’t falling.
Krivas, the 7’2″ center, applied tight defensive pressure to USF center Ismaila Diagne, holding him to only two points in the half. Following a fast-break layup by Dixon, the Wildcats extended their lead to 15.
Arizona ended the half with a 52-34 lead, with a game-high 16 points from Krivas at the break.
Second Half
On the opening play of the second half, Holt was fouled and went two-for-two at the line. Holt followed with a great steal, converting it into two quick points on a breakaway layup.
A breakaway dunk by freshman Cameron Holmes, with the assist from Holt, forced the Dons to call a timeout with Arizona leading by 19 and 12 minutes to go in the game.
Out of the timeout, USF guard Jaylen Hunter-Coleman found an opening in the key for a layup. The Dons began to find more openings in the paint and make more inside shots as the second half went on.
Yet Arizona’s lead was already too large. The Dons totaled 19 turnovers throughout the game, and the Wildcats converted them into 25 quick points.
A huge dunk out of the media timeout from Krivas, with the assist from Ivan Kharchenkov, was followed immediately by a Kharchenkov three. That stretch had the McKale Center on its feet.
Even with the Wildcats up 25 with five minutes remaining in an exhibition game, a significant number of fans stayed in their seats.
This showed the loyalty of Wildcat fans and their excitement to see what this team can do this season.
Looking Ahead
The University of Arizona will stay at home this week to face San Diego State University on Friday, Oct. 16, at 7 p.m. in McKale Center at ALKEME Arena.
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