Arizona basketball showcased several surprises in a dominant 93-69 exhibition victory over San Francisco on Tuesday night in Tucson, signaling potential strength for the Wildcats’ upcoming season. The win marked the first of three exhibition games before Arizona officially opens against UCLA on November 2 in Las Vegas. BRYCE JAMES STARTED alongside Derek Dixon, Caleb Holt, Ivan Kharchenkov, and Mo Krivas in Arizona’s starting five, contributing three points and one steal in 14 minutes played.
Mo Krivas Emerges as a Scoring Force
San Francisco struggled to contain Mo Krivas, who finished with 20 points on 6-of-7 shooting, including 8-of-10 from the free-throw line. The freshman forward added six rebounds, a steal, and demonstrated versatility by scoring in various ways—post-ups, lobs off ball screens, and transition buckets. Krivas shot a perfect 5-of-5 in the first half, establishing deep position against USF’s 7-foot center Ismaila Diagne and exploiting mismatches throughout the game. His 16 first-half points on 5-of-5 shooting showcased his dominance early, while his overall efficiency set the tone for Arizona’s offensive explosion.
Widely viewed as a preseason Big 12 Player of the Year candidate, Krivas did not disappoint in his return to action. His efficiency and court awareness suggest Arizona may have found a cornerstone player for the 2024-25 campaign.
Caleb Holt’s Quietly Effective Debut
Freshman guard Caleb Holt provided a strong two-way performance in his Arizona debut, contributing 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting with four-of-four free throws. Unlike some young players who force shots, Holt played within the offense, letting stars like Krivas and Ivan Kharchenkov take the lead while capitalizing on scoring opportunities. His 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and zero turnovers further highlighted his composure and basketball IQ.
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Defensively, Holt recorded three steals and showed poise defending at the point of attack. His ability to handle screens and disrupt USF’s ball handlers made him appear seasoned, despite being a true freshman. The 5-star recruit’s composure on both ends of the court bodes well for Arizona’s backcourt depth.
Arizona’s Defense Dominates Early
While Arizona’s 53.2% shooting and 93 points drew attention, their defensive effort stood out as the game’s most impressive facet. The Wildcats generated 12 steals and converted 25 points off turnovers, while forcing 19 miscues from San Francisco. For every steal Arizona recorded, they contributed three additional deflections, keeping the Dons off balance for the entire 40-minute stretch. Kharchenkov’s 18 points and 5 rebounds complemented Krivas’ 20 and 6, combining for 38 points and 11 rebounds to anchor Arizona’s offensive and defensive pressure.
With Kharchenkov, Krivas, and Holt anchoring the defense, Arizona appears poised to rank among the nation’s top defensive units. The Wildcats will look to build on this momentum in their next exhibition game against San Diego State on October 16.
