Like everything else in his life, Bronny James’ path through coilege basketball took another high-profile step Wednesday.
Thanks to USC’s continued injury issues, the son of NBA star LeBron James made his second start of the season in front of a near-capacity McKale Center crowd and national ESPN audience -- while getting booed by the Zona Zoo student fans every time he touched the ball.
USC was without its two leading scorers, guards Boogie Ellis and Isaiah Collier, for the second straight game. Ellis has been out with a hamstring injury, while Collier broke his hand a week ago against Washington State and is expected out for at least a month.
Nearly two weeks earlier, Arizona faced Colorado when the Buffaloes were without two starters, forwards Tristan da Silva and Cody Williams, and the Wildcats won 97-50.
Ellis is averaging 17.2 points while shooting 47.7% overall and 48.6% from 3-point territory. Collier, one of the top three rated players in the high school class of 2023, is averaging 13.8 points while shooting 54.0% overall.
USC returned starting center Joshua Morgan, who missed the Trojans' two losses last week with a respiratory illness but the Trojans played him on the bench while starting 7-footer Vince Iwuchukwu.
Brennan introduced
New UA football coach Brent Brennan was introduced to a standing ovation during the second media timeout, grinning as he looked to carry some of that energy over to his program.
“I‘m expecting the same kind of juice at Arizona Stadium this fall,” Brennan told the crowd while briefly taking the microphone. “We’re so excited about being here. So appreciative of president (Robert) Robbins and Mr. (Dave) Heeke to bring us back to the U of A. We can’t wait to get to work … and build a consistent program that we can be proud of here every day in Tucson.”
Lloyd welcomes Brennan
UA coach Tommy Lloyd lost a pickleball partner this week but he might find another one, with the UA football program changing hands from Jedd Fisch to Brennan.
Speaking Tuesday at his weekly news conference, Lloyd said he looked forward to meeting Brennan.
“I've heard nothing but great things… heard he's a great guy, and will be a great fit here,” Lloyd said. “That being said, I'm happy for Jedd. I think Jedd made the decision he felt like he needed to make for him and his family and he has the freedom to do that. He and I were good friends and we shared a lot of time together on the pickleball court and our wives became good friends.
“So we're sad to see him go but we're happy for them. And we're looking forward to the next chapter. We love living in Tucson so anything University of Arizona, we're gonna fully support.”
While it isn’t known if Brennan even plays pickleball, Lloyd had a scouting report fully filled out on Fisch.
“Slow feet, good forehand,” Lloyd said. “But, you know, you make him move a little bit and…”
New UA football coach Brent Brennan spent much of the night of Jan. 17 at McKale Center recruiting, to some degree. Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita (middle, looking down), as well as (not pictured) wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, linebacker Jacob Manu and running back Jonah Coleman spent some of the game chatting with Brennan. While only Coleman has officially entered the transfer portal as of Wednesday night, decisions by all four to stay or leave Tucson will have a huge impact on how the Wildcats are viewed going into the 2024 season.
KD, Simon in Tucson on off day; Fifita, T-Mac, others in house, too
Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant took in Wednesday’s game from a first-row baseline seat near the UA bench, sitting near several UA football standouts.
Quarterback Noah Fifita, wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, running back Jonah Coleman and linebacker Jacob Manu were nearby.
Suns assistant coach Miles Simon, who helped lead UA to its 1997 national championship, was also on hand.
The Suns beat Sacramento at home on Tuesday and don’t play again until Friday in New Orleans against the Pelicans.
Ooopsie
While there were a lot of current and former UA football players on hand, including former UA running back standout Ka'Deem Carey, Arizona messed one of the intros up.
It introduced former Cienega High School and UA receiver Jamarye Joiner as “Bijan Robinson,” the former Salpointe High School running back who now plays for the Atlantic Falcons.
Joiner, who transferred to play for Jackson State after last season, appeared somewhat confused by the announcement.
Lights out cancer
Arizona tried to turn McKale Center into dark mode to promote cancer awareness via a “Lights Out for Cancer” promotion.
UA asked fans to wear black so as to accentuate the pink cancer awareness pins that were given out- more than half complied -- and it draped “Dark Mode” T-shirts on student section seats. The athletic department also put pink and white cardboard cards that said “I Stand For” with a blank area for fans to fill in as they wished.
Big time coverage
Not only did ESPN cover Wednesday’s game with the crew of play-by-play announcer Dave Pasch and analyst Jay Bilas, but Westwood One also showed up with Jason Bennetti and Casey Jacobson to broadcast the game on national radio.
Jacobson, the former Stanford and Suns player who now lives in Phoenix, worked with Bennetti on Fox’s Dec. 23 telecast of the UA-Florida Atlantic game.
Photos: Arizona claws past USC 82-67, Pac 12 men's basketball
Arizona guard Pelle Larsson (3) gets tangled up with USC guard Bronny James (6) in the fight for a loose ball in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 17, 2024.
Arizona forward Keshad Johnson (16) pulls down an offensive rebound in front of USC guard Kobe Johnson (0) during their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 17, 2024.
Former UA player and current Phoenix assistant coach Miles Simon, left, chats with Suns forward Kevin Durant during halftime of the Wildcats’ game against USC at McKale Center on Wednesday.
Arizona forward Keshad Johnson (16), bottom, and Arizona center Motiejus Krivas (14) fight a trio of USC defenders for an offensive rebound in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 17, 2024.
Arizona center Motiejus Krivas (14) tangles with USC forward Arrinten Page (22) for the ball in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 17, 2024.
USC forward Arrinten Page (22), left, and USC guard Kobe Johnson (0) try to put the damper on Arizona guard Jaden Bradley (0) and his lay up during their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 17, 2024.
Arizona center Motiejus Krivas (14) hooks a shot over USC forward DJ Rodman (10) during their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 17, 2024.
Arizona guard Caleb Love (2) reacts to his teammates after dropping a three-pointer in front of the Wildcat bench against USC in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 17, 2024.
Arizona guard Caleb Love (2) opts to shovel off the pass between /u2/, left, and forward Kijani Wright (33) in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 17, 2024.
Arizona football players Jonah Coleman, left, and Jacob Manu have a laugh after being put up on the big screen during a time out in the second half of the Wildcats basketball game against USC at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 17, 2024.
Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd coaches up his offense during the second half against USC at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 17, 2024.
Arizona guard Pelle Larsson (3) gets hacked trying to get to the bucket against USC in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 17, 2024.
Arizona guard Pelle Larsson (3) collides with USC forward Arrinten Page (22) while fighting his way through the lane in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 17, 2024.
Arizona forward Keshad Johnson (16) gets manhandled trying to bring down a rebound against USC in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 17, 2024.
USC forward Arrinten Page (22) fouls Arizona guard Jaden Bradley (0) on his shot in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 17, 2024.
Arizona guard Jaden Bradley (0) reacts from the floor after being fouled while scoring a bucket against USC in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 17, 2024.
Arizona guard Pelle Larsson (3), bottom, fends off his own teammate Arizona center Motiejus Krivas (14) as they race to save the ball from bouncing out of bounds in the second half against USC at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 17, 2024.
Arizona forward Keshad Johnson (16) celebrates after hitting a long range shot from the corner against USC in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 17, 2024.
Arizona guard Jaden Bradley (0) exults from the floor after winning an and-one on his circus shot against USC in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 17, 2024.
Arizona guard Jaden Bradley (0) gets shut down by USC forward DJ Rodman (10) left, and guard Oziyah Sellers (4) trying to drive in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 17, 2024.
Arizona guard KJ Lewis (5) dives in for the ball against USC forward Kijani Wright (33), left, and guard Kobe Johnson (0) in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 17, 2024.
Arizona guard KJ Lewis (5) tries to skip into the lane past USC forward Harrison Hornery (30) in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 17, 2024.
Arizona guard Pelle Larsson (3) absorbs a hit from USC guard Kobe Johnson (0) on his way to the basket in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 17, 2024.
USC guard Bronny James lingers on the court after the Trojans fell to Arizona 82-67 at McKale Center on Wednesday.
The Zona Zoo student section hold up cutouts of dimes with a picture of head coach Tommy Lloyd after a Wildcat long range basket against USC in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 17, 2024.
USC forward Joshua Morgan (24), left, and forward Kijani Wright (33) tie up Arizona center Oumar Ballo (11) as he tries to claim a rebound in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 17, 2024.
New Arizona football coach Brent Brennan gives some fist bumps after being introduced to the crowd at McKale Center during a stoppage of play in the Wildcats’ win over USC on Wednesday night.
New UA football coach Brent Brennan will have more resources at Arizona than San Jose State, but the pressure to win will also be greater.
Arizona guard KJ Lewis (5) tries to split USC forward Kijani Wright (33), left, and forward Vincent Iwuchukwu (3) in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 17, 2024.
USC coach Andy Enfield has some words with one of the game officials after his Trojans didn’t get a call in the first half against Arizona.
Arizona center Motiejus Krivas (14) engulfs USC forward Harrison Hornery (30) trying to wrest away a rebound in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 17, 2024.
Arizona football players Jonah Coleman, left, and Jacob Manu take a selfie as Tetairoa McMillan watches the acton on the court during the Arizona men's basketball game against USC Jan. 17 at McKale Center.
ESPN announcer Jay Bilas chats in the run-up to Arizona’s game against USC at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 17, 2024.
Arizona center Oumar Ballo (11) bats the ball out to mid-court over teammate guard Caleb Love (2) and wins the Wildcats an offensive rebound against USC in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., January 17, 2024.
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