{"id":495554,"date":"2026-10-14T07:10:25","date_gmt":"2026-10-14T07:10:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/495554\/"},"modified":"2026-10-14T07:10:25","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T07:10:25","slug":"takeaways-from-arizonas-exhibition-blowout-of-san-francisco","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/495554\/","title":{"rendered":"Takeaways from Arizona\u2019s exhibition blowout of San Francisco"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"\"North Carolina transfer Derek Dixon had 10 points, inducing a couple 3-pointers, three assists and a steal in Arizona\u2019s exhibition victory over San Francisco (Arizona Athletics)<\/p>\n

Arizona men\u2019s basketball cruised to a 93-69 win Tuesday night at McKale Cetner over San Francisco in their first exhibition game of the season.<\/p>\n

There were 14 Wildcats that saw action, with 10 scoring. UA led by as many as 26 points and their developments were on display.\u00a0<\/p>\n

KRIVAS AND KHARCHENKOV LEAD THE WAY<\/p>\n

Just like the in the Red-Blue Showcase, returning starters, senior center Motiejus Krivas and sophomore forward Ivan Kharchenkov, dominated.<\/p>\n

Krivas led the UA in scoring and rebounds with 20 and six, three offensive boards in 26 minutes, only the fourth-most minutes on the team. <\/p>\n

In the Red-Blue Showcase, Krivas had 10 points and five rebounds in about 10 minutes.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Kharchenkov was second scoring for the Wildcats with 18 and he had five rebounds, two steals and three assists.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Led by the Wildcats\u2019 European stars, UA scored 48 points in the paint.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Fifth-year forward RJ Godfrey, a transfer from Clemson, did not play as he awaits a legal ruling that will make him eligible.<\/p>\n

HOLT UP<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Arizona\u2019s new look backcourt also shined with highly touted freshman guard Caleb Holt and North Carolina transfer guard Derek Dixon each reaching double figures.<\/p>\n

Holt, who was ranked as the No. 2 recruit by 247Sports, scored 17 points on 6-for-10 shooting and 4-for-4 from the free throw line. The McDonald\u2019s All-American had five rebounds, three steals and two assists.<\/p>\n

Dixon had 10 points, inducing a couple three-pointers, three assists and a steal. The Wildcats had 12 steals and 25 points off the 19 turnovers they forced.\u00a0<\/p>\n

On Tuesday, NCAA reporter Andy Katz ranked Holt as his fifth-best freshman.\u00a0<\/p>\n

SCHEDULE UPGRADE\u00a0<\/p>\n

As the Wildcats try to figure out their fifth starter and rotation with all the freshmen and transfer, they do so with an improved exhibition schedule.<\/p>\n

Last year they played St. Mary\u2019s, a 81-68 win, and Embry-Riddle, who they beat 113-42. Though Embry-Riddle head coach Ben Tucker went to the UA and served on the coaching staff there, ERAU is in the NAIA. \u00a0<\/p>\n

This is the first season the NCAA has allowed three preseason games and the UA scheduled three: San Francisco, San Diego State on Friday and Eastern Washington on Oct. 23.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Last season, USF went 17-16 and 8-10 in the West Coast Conference. San Francisco is one of the favorites to win the West Coast Conference with Gonzaga having moved to the Pac-12 and Randy Bennett having moved from St. Mary\u2019s to Arizona State.<\/p>\n

San Diego State is one of the top programs in the west with two Sweet 16s recently and national runners up in 2023.<\/p>\n

Eastern Washington head coach Dan Monson has reached the Big Dance four times, starting when he made Gonzaga famous in the late 1990s.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Arizona opens the regular season in Las Vegas against UCLA on Nov. 2.<\/p>\n

THE BRYCE IS RIGHT?<\/p>\n

Arizona\u2019s starting lineup featured four expected names and one surprise.<\/p>\n

Sophomore guard Bryce James, LeBron\u2019s son, started his second straight exhibition after he played almost 19:23 in the 20-minute Red\/Blue Game.<\/p>\n

Joining James in the starting line up was returning All-American candidates Krivas and Kharchenkov and Holt and Dixon.<\/p>\n

James to hit a 3-pointer 16 seconds into the game. James had two points in the Red\/Blue Game and zero last year as the UA intended to redshirt him before the NCAA dropped redshirts with the Five-for-Five rule that allows student-athletes to play five seasons.\u00a0<\/p>\n

James finished the San Francisco game with three points, 1-for-3 from the field and a steal in 14 minutes.\u00a0<\/p>\n

SHORT READS<\/p>\n

\u2014 The UA announced their regular season tip off times and broadcast information on Tuesday.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Wildcats have three games on TNT or truTV, including the the UCLA game, two on ESPN+ like NAU, 15 on ESPN\u2019s TV networks like Houston, six on Fox of FS1 like UConn, four on CBS or CBSSN like Baylor and two on Peacock, like Cincinnati.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Arizona\u2019s latest game as before the Maui Invitational is 9:30 p.m. against Kansas State in the first game of the tournament. Their latest game on the mainland is 9 p.m. against BYU.<\/p>\n

UA\u2019s earliest games are 10 a.m. at St. John\u2019s and K-State.<\/p>\n

\u2014 During regular season games, USF is 4-1 against the UA but they have played an official game since 1972. Arizona\u2019s win over the Dons came in 1965.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014 UA alum Corey Williams served as color commentator for the game. In May ,Williams was a unanimous selection to the Pima County Sports Hall of Fame.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2014 San Francisco Director of Athletics Brent Blaylock graduated from the UA and worked at the school for seven years, including supervising the men\u2019s basketball program.<\/p>\n

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