Seen and heard from McKale Center, where the 24th-ranked Arizona Wildcats beat Oregon State 89-63.

Three and done? UA freshmen listed in latest ESPN mock draft

Arizona forward Zeke Nnaji (22) gets fouled by Oregon State forward Kylor Kelley (24) on his way to the basket in the first half of their Pac12 game at McKale Center, February 20, 2020 Tucson, Ariz.

Arizona’s freshmen Zeke Nnaji, Nico Mannion and Josh Green have been consistently discussed as first-round picks ever since Nnaji emerged on the scene as one of the top underclassman forwards in college basketball.

In ESPN’s latest NBA mock draft, Mannion is projected to get selected 10th overall by the Phoenix Suns. Green was projected by ESPN to go 17th overall to the Timberwolves, while Nnaji is predicted to land with the Celtics at No. 27. The highest projected Pac-12 player in ESPN’s mock draft is USC’s Onyeka Okongwu, who’s expected to get picked ninth by Detroit.

For the record

Oregon State head coach Wayne Tinkle talks with one of the game officials after the Beavers picked up a bench technical late in the second half of their Pac12 game against Arizona, February 20, 2020 Tucson, Ariz.

Oregon State coach Wayne Tinkle is now 0-5 against the Wildcats at McKale Center dating to 2014. Oregon State last beat Arizona in McKale in 2010,Β UA coach Sean Miller’s first season.

Kicks of the night

Arizona freshman Christian Koloko sported the most eye-popping pair of sneakers in the Wildcats’ contest against Oregon State. Koloko’s Nike kicks of choice were the Kevin Durant Elite Youth Basketball (EYBL) 11s, which had a pink mesh base, baby blue trim around the toes, a neon green Nike symbol and a turquoise-colored heel. The price for Koloko’s shoes on Goat.com: $200.

Ending the drought

Arizona forward Zeke Nnaji (22) reacts to the replay showing Oregon State forward Tres Tinkle's elbow to the face of Wildcat guard Jemarl Baker Jr. in the second half of their Pac12 game at McKale Center, February 20, 2020 Tucson, Ariz.

With 34 minutes left in the first half, Nnaji sunk a 3-pointer, which hasn’t happened in the previous seven games. The last time Nnaji made a 3: Jan. 14, a game against Colorado. Nnaji has four this 3-pointers this season.

Familiar face

Former Wildcat Richard Jefferson β€” dressed in a gray suit β€” returned to McKale Center and was the color analyst for the television broadcast on Pac-12 Networks.Β Longtime broadcaster Ted Robinson handled play-by-play.

Thursday night marked Jefferson’s second game in McKale Center as a broadcaster. He also called the Arizona-Cal Poly contest last season.

The big number

13

The Beavers committed 13 first-half turnovers and UA took advantage by scoring 15 points off them. Green was the biggest beneficiary of the transition game as he had a few thunderous dunks that brought McKale to its feet.

NBA MVP wears his UA-themed shoe

Milwaukee forward Giannis Antetokounmpo repped the Arizona Wildcats Thursday night. The MVP donned a pair of UA’s β€œFreak 1 PE’s” ahead of the Bucks’ first game back after the All-Star break.

The Freak 1s have been one of the main shoes the Wildcats have worn throughout this season.

β€œThe Giannises are the most comfortable that I’ve had since I’ve been here,” senior Dylan Smith said a few weeks ago when talking about the amount of sneakers he wears.

You can add Tucson to the latest city to become a Giannis fan.

Tweet of the night

Jefferson hosted his β€œRoad Trippin’” podcast at the Student Union on Wednesday night. Jefferson took a jab on social media at LeBron James in reference to Giannis’ UA Freak 1’s.

He said it

β€œWe don’t joke around about sanctions here.”

β€”Β  Jefferson, during a live episode of their β€œRoad Trippin’” podcast on the UA campus Wednesday evening. Host Allie Clifton is an Ohio State alumna and former Wildcat Channing Frye teased her by saying β€œDon’t (Ohio State) have sanctions?” Jefferson’s response was followed by awkward laughter from fans who attended the event.

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β€” Justin Spears and Alec White