Arizona freshman Lauri Markkanen was one of 50 players named to the Wooden Award watch list.
No other Wildcats were listed, including the apparently ineligible Allonzo Trier.
UA opponents on the list include UCLA's Lonzo Ball, Washington's Markelle Fultz, Cal's Ivan Rabb, Gonzaga's Nigel Williams-Goss and three Oregon players (Chris Boucher, Tyler Dorsey and Dillon Brooks).
There's opportunity for a UA hangover tonight: The Wildcats are four days removed from a big win in Hawaii, and will play a non-name brand (but good) opponent during a midweek late night game that has some fans reselling tickets for a small fraction of their face value.
Oh, and Kobi Simmons (sprained ankle) and Kadeem Allen (sprained knee) may be sore, too.
But UA associate head coach Joe Pasternack said the coaching staff has sent that message repeatedly to the players, warning them that a loss to Bakersfield would quickly take the shine off that win over Michigan State.
"We've been harping on that," Pasternack said.
Bakersfield upset Cal two years ago in Berkeley.
Hasn't been any interview availability with UA coach Sean Miller since Friday, so it hasn't been possible to get an update on the injured players' status. Miller typically doesn't offer too much detail on pending injuries anyway.
Cal State Bakersfield coach Rod Barnes faced a pretty talented bunch of Wildcats when coaching Ole Miss in the Sweet 16 (here's the box score from that one); we had a chat with him about that game and about his up-and-coming program in California's Central Valley.
Here's a game story and box score from Bakersfield's season opening win on Saturday over San Diego Christian.
Ball's talent and attitude may be just what UCLA needs.
A foot injury is bogging down Colorado's Dom Collier. The Buffs had to win ugly against Seattle.
