Sumlin introduced to McKale

Does new Arizona head football coach Kevin Sumlin sleep? Ever since he was hired, he’s hit the recruiting trail hard, including several in-home visits with prospects already committed to the UA. Thursday, Sumlin sat courtside in McKale Center — right beside UA president Robert C. Robbins.

He sported a red long-sleeve UA shirt, jeans and … cowboy boots.

Arizona athletic director Dave Heeke introduced Sumlin to fans at halftime. Sumlin told fans he wanted to morphing Arizona Stadium into an “intimidating environment” every Saturday.

Kevin Sumlin addressing fans at McKale Center: pic.twitter.com/0uFrn4EaFT

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) January 26, 2018

“I’m proud to be your football coach. Bear down,” Sumlin said to end his speech.

Throwback night

The Zona Zoo held a throwback promotional night on Thursday, encouraging fans to wear old school apparel. There weren’t too many participants, but arguably the best one was a young man with a Mike Bibby Vancouver Grizzlies jersey. The UA product played for the Grizzlies from 1998-2001.

Seen at McKale Center: A throwback Mike Bibby Vancouver Grizzlies jersey. pic.twitter.com/Sq5bG1Zn95

— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) January 26, 2018

Tad Boyle T’d

There probably wasn’t a more despised man by Arizona fans in McKale Center than Colorado head coach Tad Boyle.

By now, you know why. After the Buffaloes beat the Cats a few weeks ago in Boulder, Boyle was asked if the win meant more because of the FBI probe into the Wildcats’ recruiting irregularities. His two-word response? “Hell yes.”

Arizona fans remembered. When McKale Center’s public addresser said Boyle’s name on Thursday, fans booed — loudly.

In the second half, Boyle was assessed a technical foul, which ignited fans. Zona Zoo added on the Colorado hate by chanting “C-B-I” to the Colorado bench. CBI stands for College Basketball Invitational, which is for teams who didn’t make the NCAA Tournament or accept a spot in the National Invitational Tournament. Ouch.

The fries that’ll cross your eyes

Wow 52pts... incredible night‼️Shoutout to the squad and @CrespiCabana for pulling this through❗️🙏🏽#Speechless 🍟......

— Brandon Williams (@TheeBWill) January 25, 2018

Point guard and 2018 Arizona signee Brandon Williams was left off this year’s McDonald’s All-American roster.

The game after the rosters were announced, the 6-foot-4-inch Williams led his high school team to a 89-85 win in overtime. Williams scored 52 points, which is a school record. He went to Twitter to show off his accomplishment, but added the french fries emoji.

Fellow signee Shareef O’Neal was also left off the roster, and his famous friends and family were not happy. O’Neal’s father, NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, shared an Instagram post to show support for the Arizona prospect, saying that he should’ve made the team. So did LeBron James.

Laced up for Lacey

In the last week of January, every coach in college basketball — assistants included — wear sneakers to raise awareness and funds for cancer research. "Laced up for Lacey" is a newer installment that’s been around since 2016.

Michigan State started the movement in honor of Spartans superfan Lacey Holsworth. She was diagnosed with neuroblastoma cancer and developed a close-knit relationship with former MSU forward Adreian Payne during the Spartans’ season. Holsworth lost her her battle to cancer in 2014, but was still a part of the Michigan State basketball team. In 2016, MSU basketball started the "Laced up for Lacey" campaign, by wearing sneakers with yellow shoe laces.

Sean Miller and staff wore yellow laces Thursday night. Miller wore Nikes with yellow laces. The staff will continue to wear sneakers and the laces against Utah this Saturday.

Send it in Jerome!

Thursday was the 30-year anniversary of Jerome Lane’s dunk that shattered the backboard in the middle of game from his playing days at Pittsburgh. Famous broadcaster Bill Raftery was on the broadcast call for that game and said the famous line, “send it in Jerome!” Who was the one that assisted Lane? Sean Miller. The Pitt point guard grabbed the loose ball on defense and pushed it up the court and dished it to Lane, which resulted in a busted backboard.

Sean Miller on the 30-year anniversary of his pass to Jerome Lane that led to a shattered backboard. pic.twitter.com/q67aLoA6i6

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) January 26, 2018

“It’s starting to for the first time in my life make me feel old,” Miller said. “For me, it means that I’ve been on 30 consecutive college basketball teams; player, assistant, head coach. I guess that counts for something. That was a big moment, a magical moment. ... It keeps us alive. As we get fat, old, no one believes that you played. We have tremendous credibility that we were out there at one time playing.

The big number

9

Consecutive wins Arizona has when scoring more than 80 points.

He said it

“He would touch the ball and he would be a pass rusher. He’d probably play both ways.” — Kevin Sumlin on Deandre Ayton playing football