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Seen and heard: On Arizona's height – or lack thereof – McKale Center's brews and spooky fans
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Editor's Pick

Seen and heard: On Arizona's height – or lack thereof – McKale Center's brews and spooky fans

  • Justin Spears
  • Oct 30, 2018
  • Oct 30, 2018 Updated Nov 3, 2018
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Arizona cruised to a 95-44 win Tuesday night over Division II Western New Mexico in the Wildcats' first of two exhibitions. From the first alcohol sales at McKale Center to some Halloween festivities, here are some highlights.

Small ball

University of Arizona vs Western New Mexico (copy)

Kory Jones (52) left, Devonaire Doutrive (1), Chase Jeter, Jake DesJardins (55), Ira Lee (11) and Matt Weyand (54) strike a pose Tuesday night at McKale Center. 

Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star

Co-captain and Duke transfer Chase Jeter was held out for an unspecified injury, and he’s Arizona’s tallest player. The next tallest Wildcat is 6-foot-9-inch Pittsburgh transfer Ryan Luther, who started at center Tuesday night with Ira Lee at power forward. UA coach Sean miller installed multiple lineups into the game as Arizona took small ball to a new level.

At one point, the Wildcats’ lineup featured Brandon Williams, Brandon Randolph, Dylan Smith, Emmanuel Akot and Jake DesJardins, all players under 6 feet 8 inches. In the second half, Akot even had some minutes at center.

Brew of A

It’s brewing at McKale Center! 🍻 🍷 On tap at the new courtside lounge (for UA donors):— Stella Artois— Michelob Ultra— Bud Light— Coors Light— Dos Equis— Lagunitas IPA— Barrio Blonde — Black Oak Chardonnay pic.twitter.com/kDGP498xiV

— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) October 31, 2018

For the first time, McKale Center sold alcohol at its concession stands. In March, the Arizona State Liquor Board allowed the university to begin selling beer and wine during home basketball games for the 2018-19 season, joining Arizona Stadium and Hi Corbett Field as UA sports venues to sell alcohol.

Every beverage was served in a plastic cup rather than a bottle or can, and prices ranged from $6 to $8. On tap: Stella Artois, Michelob Ultra, Bud Light, Coors Light, Dos Equis, Lagunitas IPA, Barrio Blonde and Black Oak Chardonnay.

Beer and wine can be purchased an hour before tipoff with the last call set at the 12-minute mark in the second half. There is also a new courtside lounge for UA donors and boosters to sit around, eat popcorn and enjoy a cold one.

Kicks of the night

University of Arizona vs Western New Mexico

Arizona guard Brandon Randolph (5), top and forward Ryan Luther (10) team up to wrestle a loose ball from Western New Mexico forward Leston Gordon (12) in the first half of their exhibition game at McKale Center, Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018.

Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star

The sneaker-obsessed Allonzo Trier was a kicks of the night candidate nearly every game last season, but Western New Mexico came with some flavor. The Mustangs are sponsored by Under Armour. So, of course with Stephen Curry being the only NBA player to have a shoe line with the brand, all of WNMU’s players wore the Warriors sharp-shooter’s shoe.

The most noticeable pair was worn by Phoenix native Amarion Cash, who donned purple and yellow Currys with lightning as the main feature. Most of Arizona’s players wore either Kyrie Irving or Kevin Durant sneakers, both Nike shoes.

Costume of the night

University of Arizona vs Western New Mexico

Dylan Queary slips into the hot dog costume as the Zona Zoo student section get ready for Arizona against Western New Mexico at McKale Center, Tuesday, October 30, 2018, Tucson, Ariz.

Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star

Since it’s the Halloween season, several members of Arizona’s student section, the Zona Zoo, showed their spirit by wearing costumes. One of them won McKale Center’s costume contest by dressing as Nacho Libre, a fictional luchador wrestler portrayed by actor Jack Black.

The Wildcaster’s costume of the night went to three members of the Zona Zoo, who dressed up as Snap, Crackle and Pop from Rice Krispies.

The big number

University of Arizona vs Western New Mexico

Arizona head coach Sean Miller gets his defense organized as the Wildcats duel against Western New Mexico in the first half of their exhibition game at McKale Center, Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018.

Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star

200

Number of miles between Silver City, New Mexico, and Tucson. The Mustangs traveled to UA by bus.

Five-star recruit picks Villanova

UABK Red Blue game (copy)

Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, right, was in attendance with 2019 Wildcats commit Nico Mannion at Arizona's Red-Blue Game on Oct. 14.

Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star

Former UA target and five-star 2019 prospect Jeremiah Robinson-Earl verbally committed to Villanova on Tuesday. The 6-foot-8-inch, 235-pound power forward took an unofficial visit to Arizona for the Red-Blue Game, along with Zeke Nnaji and UA commits Nico Mannion and Josh Green.

Robinson-Earl is Green’s high school teammate at IMG Academy in Florida. He is the fourth-ranked power forward for 2019, per 247sports.com.

Another big number

University of Arizona vs Western New Mexico (copy)

Western New Mexico rosters six international players, including guard Eddie Giron, center, from Mexico.

Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star

6

The number of international players on Western New Mexico’s roster. Three players are from Mexico while three others are from Trinidad and Tobago, Spain and Greece.

Sean Miller has always had at least one foreign-born player on each of his UA teams. The only one on this year’s Arizona team is Akot, a Canadian.

Justin Spears

Justin Spears

Sports Reporter

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