Arizona men’s basketball will welcome San Diego State to the McKale Center on Friday night for a second exhibition game of the 2025‑26 season. After a dominant 24‑point win over San Francisco, the Wildcats are using these tune‑ups to solidify rotations and test depth before Big 12 competition begins.
Key players and rotations
Coach Tommy Lloyd kept the same five starters from the San Francisco game, giving freshman guard Caleb Holt a full 31 minutes. Holt logged three steals and four defensive rebounds, earning high praise from Lloyd for his all‑around effort. Four other players saw 20‑plus minutes, while three contributed in the teens.
Lloyd chose to start Bryce James over Cameron Holmes, a decision mirrored in the recent Lithuania games. James answered with a corner three on the opening possession but finished with only three points in 14 minutes, six fewer than Holmes. Lloyd noted that James is still developing his scoring punch and that the rotation may shift based on performance.
Motiejus Krivas, who posted a game‑high 20 points against San Francisco, will be a focal point on offense. Transfers Ugnius Jarusevicius and Evan Otten saw limited action in the opener, and their minutes could increase as the staff evaluates depth.
Frontcourt adjustments
With senior forward RJ Godfrey out, Arizona has been forced to start a smaller five. Ivan Kharchenkov has been slotted at the power forward spot, occasionally sliding to center alongside freshman Maksim Brnovic. This flexibility will be tested against the more physical Aztecs frontcourt.
Defensively, the Wildcats forced 19 turnovers in the first exhibition, converting those into 25 points. Lloyd emphasized the importance of maintaining that pressure, noting the team averaged 11.7 forced turnovers per game last season.
San Diego State outlook
The Aztecs arrive as a markedly different squad from last year. Only one starter, wing Elzie Harrington, returns from the 22‑11 team that missed the NCAA Tournament in 2019. Head coach Brian Dutcher has rebuilt the roster with a wave of transfers from Boston University, Oregon State, Rice and Sacramento State, as well as junior‑college and international freshmen.
Injuries have limited the availability of guard Latrell Davis and forward Luka Skoric, but Dutcher said he is cautious about rushing them back too early. The Aztecs will look to showcase their new pieces and test Arizona’s defensive schemes.
What to watch
- Starting five continuity: Will Lloyd keep the same five that opened against San Francisco, or will he adjust based on James’ scoring or Krivas’ defensive play?
- Defensive intensity: Arizona’s ability to force turnovers and convert them into points will be a key metric.
- Frontcourt matchups: Kharchenkov’s versatility against the Aztecs’ interior players could dictate rebounding battles.
- Transfer impact: How quickly Jarusevicius, Otten and the new Aztec transfers find rhythm will shape the game’s flow.
Both teams view this exhibition as a chance to iron out growing pains before the grind of conference play. Fans can expect a competitive showcase of emerging talent and strategic adjustments at the McKale Center.
Original reporting: Arizona Desert Swarm (Tucson Sports) — read the source article.
