Arizona basketball: Inside look at the Wildcats' nonconference opponents

Nonconference opponents:

Arizona's season officially begins Nov. 10 after two exhibition games with Eastern New Mexico and Chico State. 

Here's a look at the Wildcats' nonconference opponents: 

NORTHERN ARIZONA LUMBERJACKS

Location: Flagstaff

Date/time/TV: Nov. 10, 6 p.m.

Game location: McKale Center

Series with UA: One-time matchup (UA pays $95,000 to NAU)

Last season: 9-23 (6-12 in Big Sky)

Final 2016-17 RPI: 335

Coach: Jack Murphy (6th year, 63-101)

Go-to guys: G Torry Johnson (9.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg in 2015-16), G JoJo Anderson (7.3 ppg, 3.2 rpg)

Key newcomers: G Malcolm Allen (1.9 ppg at Stanford), UTG Gino Littles (6.7 ppg at UTSA), F Karl Harris (4.1 ppg in junior college).

X-factor: C Rubun Fuamba (12.7 ppg, 10.7 rpg in junior college)

Outlook: A former UA aide under Lute Olson, Murphy turned to grad transfer (Allen) and juco pipelines to infuse the Lumberjacks with experience after playing freshmen heavily over the past two seasons, struggling to over-300 RPIs each time. Murphy was given a contract extension through 2020, but two straight single-digit win seasons tend to make a coach’s seat hot at even the most patient of schools. Plus, meshing all those newcomers could be a tricky exercise in chemistry.

Digital: nauathletics.com, @naubasketball

MARYLAND-BALTIMORE COUNTY RETRIEVERS

Location: Baltimore, Md.

Date/time/TV: Nov. 12, 4 p.m, Pac-12 Networks

Game location: McKale Center

Series with UA: One-time appearance (UA pays $90,000 to UMBC)

Last season: 21-13 (9-7 in America East)

Final 2016-17 RPI: 157

Coach: Ryan Odom (second year, 21-13)

Go-to guys: G Jarius Lyles (18.9 ppg, 6.6 rpg), F Joe Sherburne (10.9 ppg, 4.0 rpg), G K.J. Maura (8.9 ppg, 4.3 rpg)

X-factor: G Rodney Elliott (8.3 ppg)

Key newcomers: F Max Portmann (juco transfer), F Daniel Akin

Outlook: Odom’s success in his first year with the Retrievers was no surprise if you consider his family history: He’s the son of former Wake Forest and South Carolina coach Dave Odom. Ryan took over a perennial 300-plus RPI team and turned it into a respectable America East team, and this season he has a strong cast of veterans that could make them even better. UMBC has good perimeter shooting, but is weak defensively.

Digital version: umbcretrievers.com, @umbc_mbb

CAL STATE BAKERSFIELD

Location: Bakersfield, Calif.

Date/time/TV: Nov. 16, 8 p.m, Pac-12 Networks

Game location: McKale Center

Series with UA: One-time appearance (UA pays $90,000 to CSUB)

Last season: 25-10 (12-2 in WAC)

Final 2016-17 RPI: 124

Coach: Rod Barnes (seventh year, 106-88)

Go-to guys: G Shon Briggs (7.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg), G Damiyne Durham (12.7 ppg, 3.1 apg)

X-factor: G Rickey Holden (juco transfer)

Key newcomers: Taze Moore, C Moataz Aly (juco transfer)

Outlook: There’s a reason the Wildcats invited the Roadrunners back for a second straight season. They are a cut above the average mid-major program, losing to the Wildcats by only 12 points early last season and then going on to win the Western Athletic Conference regular season title (though they lost in the league tournament, failing to repeat their 2016 NCAA Tournament appearance). The problem is that CSUB lost three all-conference players off that team and was picked to finish only fourth in the WAC this season, according to the league’s official media poll (behind Grand Canyon, New Mexico State and Utah Valley). While they’re arguably deeper this season, the ‘Runners lack star power and interior size.

Digital version: gorunners.com, @csub_mbb

NORTH CAROLINA STATE

Location: Raleigh, N.C.

Date/time/TV: Nov. 22, 5 p.m., TV TBA

Game location: Imperial Arena, Paradise Island, Bahamas

Series with UA: First bracketed game in Battle 4 Atlantis tournament

Last season: 15-17 (4-14 in ACC)

Final 2016-17 RPI: 138

Coach: Kevin Keatts (first year)

Go-to guys: G Torin Dorn (9.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg), F Abdul Malik-Abu (11.8 ppg, 7.0 rpg)

X-factor: C Omer Yurtseven (5.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg)

Key newcomers: G Sam Hunt (North Carolina A&T transfer), G Allerik Freeman (Charlotte grad transfer)

Outlook: Keatts will try to clean up the mess that led to the firing of Mark Gottfried last season, bringing in a pair of grad transfers and hoping to realize the considerable potential of Yurtseven, the Turkish big man who was once a UA recruit. Keatts was known for burning a competitive fire under his players at UNC Wilmington, where he coached the Seahawks to three conference titles, and N.C. State badly needs a dose of it after stumbling through the ACC last season.

Digital version: gopack.com, @packmensbball

OTHER BATTLE 4 ATLANTIS TEAMS

Second bracketed game: Nov. 23; Final game: Nov. 24 

VILLANOVA WILDCATS

Location: Villanova, Pa.

Last season: 32-4 (15-3 Big East)

Coach: Jay Wright (386-161, 18th year)

Go-to guy: G Jalen Brunson (14.7 ppg, 4.1 rpg)

PURDUE BOILERMAKERS

Location: West Lafayette, Ind.

Last season: 27-8 (14-4 Big Ten)

Coach: Matt Painter (265-142, 14th year)

Go-to guy: F Vincent Edwards (12.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg)

TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS

Location: Knoxville, Tenn.

Last season: 16-16 (8-10 SEC)

Coach: Rick Barnes (31-35, third season)

Go-to guy: F Grant Williams (12.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg)

SMU MUSTANGS

Location: Dallas

Last season: 30-5 (17-1 AAC)

Coach: Tim Jankovich (39-5, third year)

Go-to guy: G Shake Milton (13.0 ppg)

WESTERN KENTUCKY HILLTOPPERS

Location: Bowling Green, Ky.

Last season: 15-17 (9-9 in Conference USA)

Coach: Rick Stansbury (15-17, second year)

Go-to guy: G Lamonte Bearden (Buffalo transfer

NORTHERN IOWA PANTHERS

Location: Cedar Falls, Iowa

Last season: 14-16 (9-9 Missouri Valley)

Coach: Ben Jacobson (234-134, 12th year)

Go-to guy: F Bennett Koch (11.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg)

LONG BEACH STATE 49ERS

Location: Long Beach, Calif.

Date/time/TV: Nov. 29, 6 p.m., Pac-12 Networks

Game location: McKale Center

Series with UA: One-time game (UA pays LBSU $95,000)

Last season: 15-19 (9-7 in Big West)

Coach: Dan Monson (170-159, 11th year)

Go-to guys: F Gabe Levin (12.2 ppg, 6.2 rpg), F Temidayo Yussif (9.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg)

X-factor: G Barry Ogalue (5.0 ppg, 1.9 rpg)

Key newcomers: F Jordan Roberts, F Milos Apic, G Deishaun Booker, G Edan Maxhuni

Outlook: After the 49ers uncharacteristically underachieved last season, losing nine straight early and barely finishing above .500 in the Big West, veteran coach Monson is starting over with a large group of freshmen and transfers. He’ll have to replace point guard Justin Bibbins, who left for Utah as a grad transfer, bringing in juco transfer Booker and Finnish freshman Maxhuni. Sensing transition, Monson also toned down what is usually a rugged nonconference schedule, though the 49ers will still have to face Michigan State, Stanford, Oregon State and Arizona.

Digital version: longbeachstate.com, @lbsuhoops

UNLV REBELS

Location: Las Vegas

Date/Time/TV: Dec. 2, 8 p.m., CBS Sports Network

Game location: Thomas & Mack Center

Series with UA: Final game in four-year series

Last season: 11-21 (4-14 Mountain West)

Final 2015-16 RPI: 239

Coach: Marvin Menzies (11-21, second year)

Go-to guys: F Brandon McCoy (five-star freshman), G Jovan Mooring (12.6 ppg, 2.7 rpg)

X-factor: G Kris Clyburn (7.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg)

Key newcomers: McCoy, G Jordan Johnson (Milwaukee transfer), F Shakur Juiston (juco transfer), F Anthony Smith (juco transfer)

Outlook: The Rebels had their worst season in program history during Menzies’ first season after moving from New Mexico State, but Menzies hopes to recover through some creative recruiting. He has not only the international connection he fostered with the Aggies, but also brought in the nation’s top juco prospect (Juiston) and a five-star freshman in McCoy. The Rebels should be strong up front and have some capable wing players, but a lot of newcomers of all different stages could make building chemistry a challenge.

Digital version: unlvrebels.com, @therunninrebels

TEXAS A&M AGGIES

Location: College Station, Texas

Date/time/TV: Dec. 5, 7 p.m., ESPN2

Game location: Talking Stick Resort Arena, Phoenix

Series with UA: Second year of two-year series at semi-neutral sites (UA won 67-63 last season in Houston)

Last season: 16-15 (8-10 SEC)

Final 2016-17 RPI: 93

Coach: Billy Kennedy (115-85, seventh year)

Go-to guys: F Robert Williams (11.9 ppg, 8.2 rpg), C Tyler Davis (14.1 ppg, 7.0 rpg), G Admon Gilder (l3.7 ppg, 3.9 rpg)

X-factor: D.J. Hogg (12.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg)

Key newcomers: G Jay Jay Chandler, G T.J. Starks, G Duane Wilson (Marquette grad transfer), F Savion Flagg, F Isiah Jasey

Outlook: Already with one of the nation’s top frontcourts, especially after Robert Williams opted to return to the NBA Draft pool, Texas A&M added a number of playmaking guards to round out what could be Kennedy’s best Aggies team yet — including their Sweet 16 team of 2015-16. The backcourt now includes J.J. Caldwell, a four-star recruit who as ruled academically ineligible last season, and his presence should allow Gilder to play more often off the ball and also allow Hogg to play a more natural power forward spot. Overall, Texas A&M has enough depth and speed on the perimeter to allow it to play at a faster tempo.

Digital version: 12thman.com, @aggiembk

ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE

Location: Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Game/time/TV: Dec. 9, 8 p.m., ESPN2

Game location: McKale Center

Series with UA: First year of two-year series (second game will be held Dec. 9, 2018 at Tuscaloosa)

Last season: 19-15 (10-8 SEC)

Final 2016-17 RPI: 82

Coach: Avery Johnson (37-30, third season)

Go-to guys: G Collin Sexton (five-star freshman), F Braxton Key (12.0 ppg, 5.7 rpg)

X-factor: G Dazon Ingram (10.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg)

Key newcomers: Sexton, G John Petty, F Alex Reese, F Galin Smith, G Herb Jones

Outlook: After reaching the NIT in his first two seasons at Alabama, Johnson has a program-changing guard in five-star guard Sexton, a strong finisher, shooter and distributor. Johnson also brought in a prolific scorer in Petty, a two-time Mr. Basketball in Alabama who also considered Kansas and Kentucky. The Tide’s best players are all freshmen and sophomores, but there’s enough talent to get Alabama back in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in six years.

Digital version: rolltide.com, @alabamambb

NEW MEXICO LOBOS

Location: Albuquerque, N.M.

Date/time/TV: Dec. 16, 6 p.m., CBS Sports Network

Game location: The Pit, Albuquerque

Series with UA: Second game of two-year series (UA won 77-46 last season at McKale Center)

Last season: 17-14 (10-8 Mountain West)

Final 2016-17 RPI: 87

Coach: Paul Weir (first season)

Go-to guys: G Sam Logwood (7.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg), G Chris McNeal (juco transfer)

X-factor: F Dane Kuiper (6.0 ppg, 2.7 rpg)

Key newcomers: G Troy Simons (juco transfer), G Antino Jackson (Akron grad transfer), F Makuach Maluach, F Jachai Simmons (juco transfer)

Outlook: Three seasons after Steve Alford left for UCLA, New Mexico is starting over again. The Lobos fired Craig Neal after he won an average of 16.3 games over three seasons — and lost standout guard Elijah Brown to Oregon as a grad transfer — then the school looked down the road to hire Weir after one season at New Mexico State. Weir managed to talk the Lobos’ third-leading scorer, forward Logwood, into coming back after he announced he would transfer and kept landing a variety of transfers and international players through August. Weir favors a fast pace and a defensive toughness that could entertain fans at The Pit, but there may not be a whole lot of winning at first. There’s just too much inexperience and too little size.

Digital version: golobos.com, @unmlobombb

NORTH DAKOTA STATE BISON

Location: Fargo, N.D.

Date/time/TV: Dec. 18, 7 p.m., Pac-12 Networks

Game location: McKale Center

Series with UA: One-time appearance (UA pays NDSU $95,000)

Last season: 19-11, (11-5 Summit)

Final 2016-17 RPI: 110

Coach: David Richman (fourth year, 62-34)

Go-to guy: G Paul Miller (16.7 ppg, 5.2 rpg), F A.J. Jacobson (10.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg)

X-factor: G Cameron Hunter (redshirt freshman)

Key newcomers: G Nnamdi Van Dulm (juco transfer), G Chris Quayle (juco transfer), C Jordan Meidinger, G Jake Mertens, G Tyree Eady

Outlook: A good mix of returners and incoming talent should ensure the Bison are again a strong mid-major team, with a chance for a Summit League title and postseason berth. The biggest issue will be finding a point guard to replace Khy Kabellis, who transferred to Pacific after two seasons, and filling a void in popularity and production of departed supersub Dexter Werner. Either Hunter or Quayle is likely to take over point guard, and Miller leads strong group of scorers on the wings.

Digital version: gobison.com, @ndsumbb

CONNECTICUT HUSKIES

Location: Storrs, Conn.

Date/time/TV: Dec. 22, 7 p.m., ESPN2

Game location: McKale Center

Series with UA: First year of two-year series, with second game scheduled for Dec. 8, 2018 in Storrs or Hartford, Conn.

Last season: 16-17 (9-9 American Athletic)

Final 2016-17 RPI: 117

Coach: Kevin Ollie (sixth year, 113-61)

Go-to guys: G Jalen Adams (14.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg), G Alterique Gilbert (10.3 ppg)

X-factor: F Terry Larrier (13.5 ppg, 5.0 rpg)

Key newcomers: F David Onuorah (Cornell grad transfer), F Eric Cobb (juco transfer), F Josh Carlton, F Kwintin Williams (juco transfer), F Tyler Polley, F Isaiah Whaley

Outlook: The proud Huskies program suffered its first losing season in 30 years in 2016-17 and there’s no guarantee they’ll be any better this season under Ollie, who led UConn to the 2014 national championship. Three key players were hurt early last season and three more transferred out after the season, while Ollie also let go of associate head coach Glen Miller, a longtime Husky player and staffer. Ollie prefers aggressive defense and rebounding, but he probably won’t have the depth and talent to do it well unless Gilbert (shoulder), Mamadou Diarra (multiple knee issues) and forward Terry Larrier (ACL) can bounce back smoothly from injuries they suffered early last season. Health could determine whether this team breaks .500 again.

Digital version: uconnhuskies.com, @UConnMBB