The University of Arizona men\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Standouts<\/p>\n
Arizona\u2019s 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\u2019s guards.<\/p>\n
Derek Dixon, the sophomore transfer guard from the University of North Carolina, played 31 minutes and finished with 10 points.<\/p>\n
For USF, guard Dylan Bordon was invaluable to the Dons\u2019 offense, totaling 20 points, two assists and three rebounds.<\/p>\n
First Half<\/p>\n
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\u2019s first basket.<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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\u2019t falling.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Krivas, the 7\u20192\u2033 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.<\/p>\n
Arizona ended the half with a 52-34 lead, with a game-high 16 points from Krivas at the break.<\/p>\n
Second Half<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Yet Arizona\u2019s lead was already too large. The Dons totaled 19 turnovers throughout the game, and the Wildcats converted them into 25 quick points.<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Even with the Wildcats up 25 with five minutes remaining in an exhibition game, a significant number of fans stayed in their seats.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This showed the loyalty of Wildcat fans and their excitement to see what this team can do this season.<\/p>\n
Looking Ahead<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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