The Arizona Wildcats showcased their strength in a dominant 93-69 exhibition victory over San Francisco on Tuesday night in Tucson, marking the team's first of three preseason matchups before the regular season begins on November 2 against UCLA in Las Vegas.
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In a surprising lineup decision, Bryce James started for Arizona alongside Derek Dixon, Caleb Holt, Ivan Kharchenkov, and Mo Krivas. James contributed three points and one steal over 14 minutes of play, while standout performers included Krivas and Kharchenkov, who combined for 38 points and 11 rebounds. Holt, a freshman, had an efficient game with 17 points.
Mo Krivas demonstrated his readiness for the season, scoring 20 points on 6-7 shooting, plus six rebounds and a steal. He excelled offensively, posting up against 7-foot center Ismaila Diagne and showing versatility as a lob threat and in transition. Krivas, a frontrunner for the Big 12 Player of the Year, continued to impress with his performance.
Caleb Holt also had a noteworthy debut, scoring 17 points with a shooting percentage of 60%. He maintained his composure, making smart decisions in the offense and contributing defensively with three steals. His ability to perform under pressure bodes well for his future as a top draft prospect.
On the defensive end, Arizona was assertive throughout the game, registering 12 steals and capitalizing on 25 points from turnovers. The Wildcats' active defense forced 19 turnovers from San Francisco, positioning them as potential leaders in defensive prowess this season.
Arizona's next exhibition game is scheduled for Friday, October 16, against San Diego State at 7:00 PM MST, which will be televised on ESPN+.