Sacred Heart overview

The Pioneers lost prolific scoring guard Cane Broome to an up-transfer to Cincinnati last spring, but still have a fearless scorer in small forward Quincy McKnight. They are bolstered by juco transfers Charles Tucker (at point guard) and Joseph Lopez (at center), while also getting De’von Barnett back from a medical redshirt and forward Mario Matasovic eligible after he sat out last season following a transfer from Western Michigan. Tucker is a solid facilitator who played at Tennessee State before going the juco route, while guard Sean Hoehn and reserve Matej Buovac are strong three-point shooters. Like Arizona’s first two opponents, the Pioneers are undersized up front, creating a drastic matchup difference. They are a good offensive rebounding team, however, a concern for Arizona after the Wildcats allowed Cal State Bakersfield 10 offensive rebounds that led to 21 second-chance points. Lopez, a Miami product who attended Winthrop before playing at Broward (Fla.) College last season, is strong but will be facing a five-inch deficit against Arizona’s 7-footers inside. Barnett was one of the most efficient scorers in the Northeast Conference before missing last season with a torn labrum, while Matasovic is an athletic Croatian who can shoot it with range. Defensively, the Pioneers have been strictly man-to-man so far this season. 

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