Nicholls Colonels
Date/time/TV: Nov. 7, 7:30 p.m., Pac-12 Networks
Game location: McKale Center
School location: Thibodaux, Louisiana
Series history: UA leads 1-0
Coach: Austin Claunch (74-46 in four years at Nicholls and overall)
Last season: 21-12 overall, 11-3 (1st) in Southland
Go-to guy: G Latrell Jones (Sr., 11.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg)
Key returnees: G Pierce Spencer (Jr., 9.0 ppg, 5.4 rpg), G Caleb Huffman (Sr., 6.0 ppg), F Mekhi Collins (So., 2.3 ppg, 2.2 rpg), G Jalen White (Jr., 2.6 ppg), F Ryan Maxwell (So., 1.9 ppg, 2.6 rpg), Eduardo De Cadia (Jr., redshirted in 2021-22)
Key newcomers: G Micha Thomas (So., Indiana State transfer, 9.7 ppg, 2.4 rpg), G Lance-Amir Paul (Jr., Division II transfer), F Marek Nelson (Sr., UTRGV transfer, 10.4 ppg, 4..0 rpg), F Josh LeBlanc (Sr., UAB transfer, 4.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.1 bpg)
Upside: Turning just 33 in November, Claunch has turned the uptempo-minded Colonels into a consistent factor in the Southland Conference. They have won two straight regular-season titles, going 11-3 in league play last season despite returning just three players in 2021-22.
Downside: Four incoming transfers will have a tough task replacing all the talent Nicholls lost this time, including Southland Player of the Year Ty Gordon (20.8 ppg, 3.1 apg, 35.5% 3-point shooting). Two other starters also departed, including second-team and third-team all-conference picks.
He said it: We lost four really good guys but we have a great core coming back. Weβve won back-to-back championships but feel like we havenβt gotten the job all the way done. We want to make the NCAA Tournament and this team is very hungry to do that. β Claunch, to Blue Ribbon Yearbook
Southern Jaguars
Date/time/TV: Nov. 11, 7 p.m., Pac-12 Networks
Game location: McKale Center
School location: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Series history: Arizona leads 1-0, having faced Southern in 2013-14 and winning 69-43 at McKale Center.
Coach: Sean Woods (49-65 in four seasons at Southern, 176-215 in 13 seasons overall).
Last season: 17-14 overall, 12-6 (3rd) in Southwestern Athletic
Go-to guy: F Tyrone Lyons (Sr., 13.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg)
Key returnees: G Brion Whitley (11.7 ppg, 2.3 rpg), G P.J. Byrd (Sr., 6.7 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 3.2 apg), G DeSean Woods (So., redshirted in 2021-22), G DreβShawn Allen (redshirted in 2021-22), Isaiah Rollins (Sr., 4.5 ppg, 1.3 rpg), F Terrell Williams Jr. (Jr., 9.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg), F JβQuan Ewing (So., 3.3 ppg, 2.5 rpg)
Key newcomers: F Jalen Reynolds (Jr., South Georgia Tech transfer, 11.1 ppg, 11.0 rpg), G Bryson Etienne (Sr., Texas Southern transfer, 8.8 ppg, 2.9 rpg), G Kris Gardner (Jr., juco transfer), F JaRonn Wilkens (Jr., juco transfer), F Jariyon Wilkens (Jr., juco transfer), F Festus Ndumanya (Jr., juco transfer), C Thomas Tut (freshman)
Upside: Playing Pac-12 teams as part of a new partnership with the SWAC will elevate Southernβs profile on and off the court, with Arizona scheduled to visit next season in a return game.
Downside: The Jaguars are one of the SWACβs most consistent teams but lost five of their final six games last season, and were one of Division Iβs worst defensive rebounding teams. New additions such as Ndumanya and the Wilkens twins may help address the glass.
He said it: βThese guys are so hungry knowing we didnβt finish the way we wanted to. Hopefully, when we get in that situation again coming down the stretch, that patience will take over.β β Sean Woods, to Blue Ribbon Yearbook.
Utah Tech Trailblazers
Date: Nov. 17, 7 p.m., Pac-12 Networks
Game location: McKale Center
School location: St. George, Utah
Series history: UA has never played Utah Tech, which was known as Dixie State until July.
Coach: Jon Judkins (21-31 in two years at Utah Tech and overall)
Last season: 13-18 overall; 6-12 in WAC (7th) S
Go-to guy: F Dancell Leter (Sr., 10.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg)
Other key returnees: G Cameron Gooden (Sr., 11.5 ppg, 3.6 apg), F Frank Staine (Jr., 8.8 ppg, 3.7 rpg), G Isaiah Pope (Jr., 5.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg), F Jacob Nicolds (Sr., 4.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg), Trevon Allfrey (So., 4.2 ppg, 2.3 rpg)
Key newcomers: F Tanner Christensen (Jr., Idaho transfer, 8.5 ppg, 6.4 rpg), G Asjon Anderson (freshman)
Upside: The Trailblazers have a deep roster of returning players, and getting Idaho transfer Tanner Christensen bolsters the frontcourt.
Downside: Picked to finish 12th in the WAC this season, Utah Tech is still entering just its third season of Division I basketball. The Dixie State program was playing at the Division II level from 2006-07 through 2019-20 and was known as a juco powerhouse before that.
He said it: βItβs been a tough thing to do, but our community has been great, and I think the Division I thing has helped a lot. The Division II thing was probably harder going from a top juco program to a D-II that nobody knew who the schools were. It was a tough move there, but Division I is a lot better because they know who weβre playing.β β Judkins, at WAC media day.
Maui Invitational
Cincinnati Bearcats
Date/time/TV: Nov. 21, 9:30 p.m, ESPN2
Game location: Lahaina Civic Center, Lahaina, Hawaii
School location: Cincinnati
Series history: UA is 3-0 against Cincinnati, last facing the Bearcats in 1995-96 at Phoenix, where Miles Simon hit a three-quarter-court buzzer-beater for the win.
Coach: Wes Miller (18-15 in one season at Cincinnati, 203-150 in 11 seasons overall)
Last season: 18-15 overall, 7-11 American Athletic (8th)
Go-to guy: G David DeJulius (Sr., 14.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.6 apg)
Other key returnees: G Mika Adams-Woods (Jr., 8.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 3.1 apg), G Jeremiah Davenport (Jr., 13.4 ppg, 5.5 rpg)
New guys: G Rob Phinisee (Sr., Indiana transfer, 4.5 ppg, 2.1 rpg), F Landers Nolley (Sr., Memphis transfer, 9.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg), F Kalu Ezikpe (Sr., Old Dominion transfer 11.3 ppg, 7.1 rpg), F Daniel Skillings (four-star freshman)
Upside: The Bearcats return leading scorer DeJulius, while three veteran transfers should make them more versatile and deeper in Millerβs second season.
Downside: Cincinnati was one of the worst-shooting teams in Division I last season from both two-point (46.7% and 3-point (31.4%) range, and lost momentum toward the end, losing its last five regular-season games.
He said it: βThe makeup of our roster makes more sense. Iβm proud of what we put together in a short time but when you look at our roster now, it is so much more dynamic and versatile. Iβm excited about that.β β Miller, to Blue Ribbon Yearbook
Other Maui Invitational teams
Ohio State
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Last season: 20-12 overall, 12-8 Big Ten (tie, 4th)
Coach: Chris Holtmann (107-56 in five seasons at OSU, 221-141 in 11 seasons overall)
Go-to guy: F Justice Sueing (Sr., Cal transfer, injured most of past two seasons)
San Diego State Aztecs
Location: San Diego
Last season: 23-9 overall, 13-4 Mountain West (3rd)
Coach: Brian Dutcher (119-40 in five seasons at SDSU and overall)
Go-to guy: G Matt Bradley (Sr., 16.9 ppg, 5.4 rpg)
Arkansas Razorbacks
Location: Fayetteville, Arkansas
Last season: 28-9 overall, 13-5 SEC (4th)
Coach: Eric Musselman (73-38 in three seasons at Arkansas, 183-62 in seven seasons overall)
Go-to guy: G Nick Smith (five-star freshman)
Louisville Cardinals
Location: Louisville, Kentucky
Last season: 13-19 overall, 6-14 ACC (tie, 12th)
Coach: Kenny Payne (first year at Louisville and overall)
Go-to guy: C Sydney Curry (Sr., 7.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg)
Creighton Bluejays
Location: Omaha, Nebraska
Last season: 23-12 overall, 12-7 Big East (4th)
Coach: Greg McDermott (276-137 in 12 seasons at Creighton, 425-268 in 21 seasons overall)
Go-to guy: G Baylor Scheierman (Sr., South Dakota State transfer, 16.2 ppg, 7.8 rpg)
Texas Tech Red Raiders
Location: Lubbock, Texas
Last season: 27-10 overall, 12-6 Big 12 (3rd)
Coach: Mark Adams (27-10 in one season at Texas Tech, 71-100 in six seasons overall)
Go-to guy: F Fardaws Aimaq (Sr., Utah Valley transfer, 18.9 ppg, 13.6 rpg)
Indiana Hoosiers
Date/time/TV: Dec. 10, 5:30 p.m., Ch. 11
Game location: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas
School location: Bloomington, Indiana
Series history: UA and Indiana have never met.
Coach: Mike Woodson (21-14 in one year at Indiana and overall)
Last season: 21-14 overall, 9-11 in Big Ten (9th)
Go-to guy: F Trayce Jackson-Davis (Jr., 18.3 ppg, 8.1 rpg)
Other key returnees: G Xavier Johnson (Sr., 12.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg), G Tamar Bates (So., 3.9 ppg, 1.3 rpg), F Race Thompson (Sr., 11.1 ppg, 7.5 rpg), G Trey Galloway (So., 5.5 ppg, 1.7 rpg), F Jordan Geronimo (So., 4.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg)
Key newcomers: G Jalen Hood-Schifino (five-star freshman), F Malik Reneau (five-star freshman), F Kaleb Banks (four-star freshman), G CJ Gunn (four-star freshman)
Upside: Expectations are always high at Indiana but this time thatβs perfectly reasonable, thanks to the return of Jackson-Davis, a national Player of the Year candidate, and arrival of a loaded freshman class.
Downside: Hoosiers relied heavily on their two-point production last season, taking just 31.1% of their shots from beyond the arc β and only hit 33.3% of those 3s. More balance is needed to get the most from Jackson-Davis and the frontcourt.
He said it: βThe Big Ten is good, man. You got a lot of great coaches, a lot of great teams. Then our schedule early is very competitive. We got a lot of work to do this season. But you canβt run from it or be scared of competition. This is what college basketball is about. I came here, I signed up for this, so Iβm looking to push these guys to the max and see what happens.β β Woodson, at Big Ten media day.
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders
Date/time/TV: Dec. 13, 6:30 p.m., Pac-12 Networks
Game location: McKale Center
School location: Corpus Christi, Texas
Series history: UA has never played Texas A&M Corpus Christi, which has been in Division I since 2002-03.
Coach: Steve Lutz (23-12, one year at Texas A&M Corpus Christi and overall)
Last season: 23-12 overall, 7-7 Southland (4th)
Go-to guy: F Isaac Mushila (Sr., 13.2 ppg, 9.4 rpg)
Other key returnees: G Trevian Tennyson (Sr., 12.0 ppg, 1.6 rpg), G Terrian Murdix (Sr., 9.8 ppg, 1.6 rpg), F DeβLazurus Keys (Sr., 7.8 ppg, 5.9 rpg), G Simeon Fryer (Sr., 8.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg), G Jalen Jackson (Sr., 6.6 ppg, 2.3 rpg)
Key newcomers: G Ross Williams (Sr., Division II transfer), G Jourdyn Grandberry (freshman)
Upside: All five starters are back from a team that won the Southland Confernece Tournament and appeared in the NCAA Tournamentβs First Four, meshing together 10 transfers in Lutzβs first season.
Downside: Picked to finish sixth in the Southland last season, the Islanders will be everyoneβs favorite this time in their conference. Expectations donβt get much higher at the low-major level.
He said it: βEverybody knows we went to the NCAA Tournament, so weβre going to get their best shot every night. If we can continue with the same mindset we had last year and keep working to make ourselves better, I think the sky is the limit for us.β β Lutz, to Blue Ribbon Yearbook.
Tennessee Volunteers
Date/time/TV: Dec. 17, 8:30 p.m., ESPN2
Game location: McKale Center
School location: Knoxville, Tennessee
Series history: Arizona is 1-4 against Tennessee after its season-opening 11-game win streak was snapped last season in a 77-73 loss in Knoxville. The Wildcatsβ only win in the series came on Nov. 13, 1998, when Jason Terry poured in 26 points to lead UA to a 73-72 win in the B.C.A. Classic in Albuquerque.
Coach: Rick Barnes (150-81 in seven seasons at Tennessee, 754-395 in 35 seasons overall)
Last season: 27-8 overall; 14-4 SEC (tie, 2nd)
Go-to guy: G Santiago Vescovi (Sr., 13.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg)
Other key returnees: G Zakai Zeigler (So., 8.8 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 2.7 apg), F Josiah-Jordan James (Sr., 10.3 ppg, 6.0 rpg), C Olivier Nkamhoua (Sr., 8.6 ppg, 5.6 rpg), F Jonas Aidoo (So., 2.1 ppg, 2.2 rpg), C Uros Plavsic (Sr., 4.2 ppg, 4.0 rpg)
Key newcomers: F Julian Phillips (five-star freshman), G B.J. Edwards (four-star freshman), G Tyreke Key (Sr., Indiana State transfer, did not play last season with shoulder injury)
Upside: The Vols are aggressive, deep and talented on both ends of the court. They were ranked third in defensive efficiency last season, ending 13.5% of opponentsβ possessions with a steal, the sixth-highest steal percentage in Division I.
Downside: Loaded with returning and incoming talent, the Vols should have enough to compete for an SEC title and a deep NCAA Tournament run. But they havenβt reached the Sweet 16 since 2018-19, suffering upsets in the first weekend of the last two NCAA Tournaments.
He said it: βWe expect to be a good defensive team, but we think that we have more depth than weβve had in a long time, and versatility. The question I think anybody would have with us right now is what kind of production that we can get from our post players consistently. So thatβs what weβll wait and see.β β Barnes, at SEC Media Day.
Montana State Bobcats
Date/time/TV: Dec. 20, 6:30 p.m., Pac-12 Networks
Game location: McKale Center
School location: Bozeman, Montana
Series history: UA has split its two all-time games against Montana State, both on neutral courts. Montana State won 39-32 in Oklahoma City during the 1939-40 season, while Arizona won 64-59 in 1981-82 at Minneapolis.
Coach: Danny Sprinkle (56-33 in three seasons at Montana State and overall)
Last season: 27-8 overall, 16-4 Big Sky (1st)
Go-to guy: F Jubrile Belo (Sr., 12.8 ppg, 6.7 rpg)
Other key returnees: G Tyler Patterson (So., 7.1 ppg, 1.3 rpg), G RaeQuan Battle (Jr., 8.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg), F Great Osabor (So., 6.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg), G Nick Gazelas (Jr., 5.3 ppg, 0.5 rpg), F Patrick McMahon (So., 2.0 ppg, 0.9 rpg)
Key newcomers: G Darius Brown II (Jr., CSUN transfer, 5.6 ppg, 3.1 rpg), G Robert Ford (Jr., Idaho State transfer, 10.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg), G Caleb Fuller (Sr., UC Davis transfer, 12.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg), G Jed Miller (freshman), F Luca Colceag (freshman)
Upside: Bobcats return 24-year-old British big man Jubrile Belo, the Big Skyβs player and defender of the year last season, from a team that won the Big Sky regular-season and tournament titles while reaching the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1996. Belo and the 245-pound Great Osabor make a difficult pair to deal with inside.
Downside: Montana State lost three starters off that tournament team, including versatile scorer and defender Amin Adamu, while point guards Ford and Brown are both coming off injury plagued seasons.
He said it: βOur motto this year is βno one cares.β We donβt even talk about last year β in fact, last year put a bigger target on us. We have to be better, cleaner with our execution and tougher than we were last year. Thatβs all a work in progress. But a lot of these guys werenβt part of our team last year, so they have something to prove too.β β Sprinkle, to MSUβs website
Morgan State Bears
Date/time/TV: Dec. 22, 6 p.m., Pac-12 Networks
Game location: McKale Center
School location: Baltimore
Series history: Arizona has only faced Morgan State once before, when the defending national champion Wildcats trounced the Bears 115-53 on Nov. 20, 1997 at McKale Center.
Coach: Kevin Broadus (42-39 in three seasons at Morgan State, 79-64 in five seasons overall)
Last season: 13-15 overall, 7-6 MEAC (4th)
Go-to guy: G DeβTorrion Ware (Sr., 10.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg).
Other key returnees: G Malik Miller (Sr., 12.8 ppg, 8.8 rpg), G Isaiah Burke (Sr., 8.6 ppg, 1.7 rpg), F Ty Horner (3.9 ppg, 1.4 rpg), G Will Thomas (Jr., 2.9 ppg, 1.8 rpg)
Key newcomers: F Khalil Turner (Jr., juco transfer), G Kevon Wiggins (Jr., juco transfer), G Rob Lawson (freshman), F Daiquan Copeland (Jr., juco transfer), F David McCullough (Jr., Bowie State transfer, 13.0 ppg, 4.3 rpg), C Lewis Njonkam (Sr., Radford transfer, 4.9 ppg, 2.1 rpg)
Upside: Ware and Miller could make up the best backcourt in the MEAC, while the Bears should be bigger and more athletic overall.
Downside: The Bears were one of the least efficient offensive teams in the country last season, averaging just 94.4 points per 100 possessions, while hitting only 30.0% from 3-point range. They lost four starters from that team, though maybe starting over will help chemistry.
He said it: βInconsistent is a really good way to put (last season)β¦ Who we were as people β some of the coaches and some of the players β helped us get to being in the state that we were. We got some new blood in, and I think weβre going on an upward spiral now.β β Broadus, to Blue Ribbon Yearbook.
