Arizona Wildcats

No. 10 Wildcats Dismantle the Yotes in an Exhibition Game Opener

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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NCAA College Basketball season is here! Most importantly it’s the start of the Arizona Basketball season.

In an exhibition home opener against the College of Idaho Yotes, the Arizona Basketball team routed them 80-23. The Wildcats from opening tip looked as though they were going to hang their hat on defense by forcing shots, blocks, and steals. On the offensive side of the ball, it was an all-around team effort scoring wise, sharing the basketball and not forcing any unnecessary shots.

Both big men Dusan Ristic and the freshmen PF from Finland, Lauri Markkanen, led the way with blocks, distributing the ball and interior scoring.

The trio of freshmen that along with Markkanen included SG, Kobi Simmons coming off the bench and dropping a team-high17 pts and starting SF, Rawle Alkins scoring 11 pts. All showed great pose throughout the night. Kadeem Allen gave the freshmen Kobi Simmons a warm welcome with a sweet alley-oop pass to solidify what was a lopsided victory.

Unfortunately for Wildcat fans ,SF, Ray Smith went down in the second half and did not return to the game. It is very sad to see this young man have to go this once again. Already coming back from this knee injury last season which sidelined him for the entire season. Coach Sean Miller said this after the game about Ray Smith:

Coach Sean Miller said this after the game about Ray Smith:

Here are Ray’s comments, and he seems to be at peace with this, he feels blessed, doesn’t want fans to feel sorry for him because he is alive.

But through this loss, there was something that the Wildcats could improve on Sunday against Chico State before heading into Non-Conference play. That is hitting a three-point shot. Kadeem Allen hit one in the first half of the game, but then our interior scoring took over and it was not necessary to stretch the floor. The team went one for thirteen on 3-point shots.

Here are the game stats in this lopsided victory:

The schedule is going to get tougher and hitting shoots from the perimeter will be key to pull away from opponents and even coming back from a deficit. I believe that they will improve on this before they head into Non-Conference schedule.

BearDown!

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