Photos: Arizona runs wild over Samford 96-64 in a pre-conference game
The Wildcats got out ahead early, riding a 56-33 first half to bounce back into the win column against visiting Samford 96-64, December 18, 2024, Tucson, Ariz.
Former Arizona guard and current Indiana Pacer T.J. McConnell re-enacts his kissing the “Block A” from his last game at McKale Center during his Ring of Honor ceremony before the game against Samford on Dec. 18, 2024.
Arizona guard KJ Lewis (5) tries to get through the gap between Samford center Riley Allenspach (35) and forward Hamed Olayinka (11) during the second half of their preconference-season game, Tucson, Ariz., December 18, 2024.
Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd calls for a sub from his bench during the second half against Samford on Dec. 18, 2024, at McKale Center.
Arizona forward Tobe Awaka (30) attempts to get the ball back from Samford guard Rylan Jones (21) after being stripped from behind during the second half of their pre-conference season game, Tucson, Ariz., December 18, 2024.
Arizona guard Anthony Dell'Orso (3) loses his grip on the ball after being bounced around chasing a rebound against Samford during the second half of their pre-conference season game, Tucson, Ariz., December 18, 2024.
A fan in a Grinch outfit show his disagreement with a call against Arizona during the second half of the Wildcats’ game with Samford, Tucson, Ariz., December 18, 2024.
Arizona forward Henri Veesaar (13), top, and guard Jaden Bradley (0) put pressure on Samford guard Rylan Jones (21) during the second half of their pre-conference season game, Tucson, Ariz., December 18, 2024.
Arizona forward Trey Townsend (4) pulls the ball out of the hands of Samford forward Jaden Brownell (33) during the second half of their pre-conference season game, Tucson, Ariz., December 18, 2024.
Arizona forward Henri Veesaar manages to swat away the alley-oop pass into Samford forward Hamed Olayinka (11) during the second half, Dec. 18, 2024.
Arizona forward Tobe Awaka (30) pulls down the defensive rebound in the first half against Samford, Dec. 18, 2024.
Arizona center Henri Veesaar (13) can’t get his hands on the rebound being pulled down by Samford center Riley Allenspach (35) during their pre-conference season game, Tucson, Ariz., December 18, 2024.
Arizona forward Trey Townsend finishes off a fast break with a dunk against Samford, Dec. 18, 2024.
Arizona guard KJ Lewis (5) takes the double hit from Samford center Riley Allenspach (35), left, and forward Hamed Olayinka (11) on a second half drive during their pre-conference season game, Tucson, Ariz., December 18, 2024.
Arizona forward Henri Veesaar (13) jams home a dunking the second half against Samford during their pre-conference season game, Tucson, Ariz., December 18, 2024.
Samford guard Lukas Walls (2) puts the hit on Arizona guard KJ Lewis (5) stopping his run to the basket during their pre-conference season game, Tucson, Ariz., December 18, 2024.
Former Arizona guard T.J. McConnell acknowledges the crowd during his Ring of Honor induction ceremony before the Wildcats’ game against Samford on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, at McKale Center.
Arizona forward Tobe Awaka (30) gets hit from all sides in the fight for a first half rebound against Samford in their pre-conference season game, Tucson, Ariz., December 18, 2024.
Arizona guard Caleb Love gestures to a teammate after draining a long-range three early in the first half against Samford in their pre-conference season game at McKale Center, Dec. 18, 2024.
Arizona forward Henri Veesaar (13) looks for an outlet after pulling down a rebound in a crowd Samford in their pre-conference season game, Tucson, Ariz., December 18, 2024.
Samford forward Jaden Brownell (33) hammers Arizona forward Tobe Awaka (30) picking up a foul in their pre-conference season game, Tucson, Ariz., December 18, 2024.
Arizona forward Carter Bryant (9) takes a hand to the face as he finishes his dunk in the first half of their pre-conference season game against Samford, Tucson, Ariz., December 18, 2024.
Arizona forward Tobe Awaka (30) gets hit from behind trying to get to the basket against Samford in their pre-conference season game, Tucson, Ariz., December 18, 2024.
Arizona guard Caleb Love (1) takes a hand to the jaw from Samford forward Hamed Olayinka (11) on his drive in their pre-conference season game, Tucson, Ariz., December 18, 2024.
Arizona guard KJ Lewis (5) takes stab at stealing the ball form Samford center Riley Allenspach (35) in the first half in their pre-conference season game, Tucson, Ariz., December 18, 2024.
Former Arizona wing and current Indiana Pacer Bennedict Mathurin poses with his former coach, Tommy Lloyd, during a pregame ceremony honoring Mathurin’s Pacers teammate and former Wildcat guard T.J. McConnell on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, at McKale Center.
Arizona center Emmanuel Stephen (34) moves up to defend near the top of the key in the second half against Samford at McKale Center, Dec. 18, 2024.
Kelly Presnell
Photojournalist
While nobody is calling Arizona's struggles or Caleb Love's slump over after UA's 96-64 win over Samford, there were good signs for the Wildcats that they hope to keep up.