Seen and heard at McKale Center: On a new start, double figures and No. 500
Arizona got back in the win column Wednesday night with a 61-42 win against the Montana Grizzlies. Here are the best sights and sounds from McKale Center.
Shaking things up
UpdatedSean Miller decided to make a change to the starting lineup and gave Dylan Smith his first start of the season Wednesday night in place of freshman guard Brandon Williams, whose knee collided with Justin Coleman's a day before the Baylor game.
Smith started eight games in place of Rawle Alkins and Allonzo Trier a season ago, six of them during Pac-12 play.
Smithโs start came after Williams struggled offensively, shooting 1 of 9 from the field in Arizonaโs loss to Baylor on Saturday night โ the same night Baylor out-rebounded the Wildcats 51-19. Miller has been impressed with Smithโs rebounding as a guard; he averages 4.3 per game.
Smith finished Wednesday night with two points and three turnovers while Williams shot 1 of 7 from the field for three points. Williams added five rebounds and three assists.
Hot sauce Randolph
UpdatedBrandon Randolph scored in double figures for the 12th consecutive game when he had 15 points Wednesday night in the 61-42 win.
The sophomore became the first Arizona guard since Hassan Adams (2005-06) to score in double figures in the first 12 games of the season.
Randolph is one of four players in the Pac-12 to have scored double figures in every game this season, joining Luguentz Dort (ASU), Kris Wilkes (UCLA) and Tres Tinkle (Oregon State). Randolphโs scoring average has increased by 13.2 points per game since his freshman year, which is the largest increase from one season to the next by an Arizona player since 1977.
Unlucky number
Updated34
Number of consecutive free throws combined that Brandon Randolph (19) and Justin Coleman (15) made heading into Wednesday night. The two Wildcats are first and second, respectively, in free-throw percentage in the Pac-12; but Coleman and Randolphโs streak was snapped against Montana. Randolph went 5 of 6 while Coleman shot 0 of 1 from the line.
Mixing and matching
UpdatedThe Wildcats usually wear white uniforms with a gray gradient pattern on the shoulders and shorts, or the solid all-white uniforms without the gradient. The Wildcats wore the white jersey with gradient shoulders and solid shorts against Montana.
The big number
UpdatedJack Furrier honored with his own No. 50 UA jersey after supporting Arizona hoops since 1968. pic.twitter.com/1E0O9zGiAV
— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) December 20, 2018
50
Longtime Arizona athletics sponsor Jack Furrier celebrated his 50th anniversary as a UA booster. He is the founder of Jack Furrierโs Tire and Auto Care and has sponsored the Arizona athletics department since 1968. During halftime, Furrier was honored with a framed No. 50 Arizona jersey and received a standing ovation from the fans at McKale Center.
He said it
UpdatedโKelby Kramer can solve a Rubikโs Cube with a towel over his head.โ โ Bill Walton on the Montana centerโs special talent
The biggest number
Updated500
Number of games Miller has coached in his career. His career record is 375-125, including 255-78 at Arizona. How does it compare to college basketballโs elite? Hall-of-fame Arizona coach Lute Olson went 345-155 in his first 500 games. Miller has a better record through his first 500 games than Eddie Sutton (372-128), Bob Knight (368-132), John Calipari (367-133), Rick Pitino (366-134), Bill Self (360-140), John Wooden (359-141), Tom Izzo (357-143) and Mike Krzyzewski (333-167).
Tags
More information
- Watch: 6 best things Chase Jeter, Sean Miller said after Arizona's win over Montana
- Photos: Arizona Wildcats 61, Montana Grizzlies 42
- College basketball scoreboard: Arizona vs. Montana
- Arizona Wildcats beat Montana 61-42 behind Chase Jeter's career-high 21 points
- Chase Jeter's career game, strong team defense help Arizona Wildcats get back on track
- Former Arizona Wildcat Omar Thielemans transferring to Wright State
- Ira Lee takes DUI plea agreement, will spend night in Pima County jail
- Salpointe Catholic basketball star Majok Deng commits to Pepperdine
View this profile on Instagram#ThisIsTucson ๐ต (@this_is_tucson) โข Instagram photos and videos
Most viewed stories
-
This new restaurant is coming soon, bringing Southern favorites to Tucson
-
60 fun events happening in Tucson this weekend Sept. 12-15 ๐ผ๐ฌ
-
60 fun events happening in Tucson this weekend Sept. 19-22 ๐ฅจ
-
This nameless taco stand makes delicious al pastor tacos straight from the trompo
-
The iconic Barbie truck is returning to Tucson with exclusive merch ๐
-
100 fun events happening in Tucson this September 2024 ๐ป๐ถ
-
35 FREE events happening in Tucson this September 2024 ๐ธ
-
Where should I eat in Tucson? A GIANT list of bucket list spots for every craving
-
At 6 months old, Tucson's baby elephant has made her way into the big girl pool
-
This local market turns Hotel Congress into a monthly hub of vintage clothing