Lobos and (2) Tigers and Bears! Oh my! Breaking down Arizona's nonconference basketball schedule
Here's a look at the Arizona Wildcats' nonconference basketball schedule.
- Bruce Pascoe
Location: East Lansing, Michigan
Date/time/TV: Nov. 11, 5 p.m., ESPN
Game location: Stan Sheriff Center, Honolulu
Series with UA: One-time matchup in Armed Forces Classic doubleheader
Last season: 29-6 (13-5 in Big Ten), RPI: 12
Coach: Tom Izzo (22nd year, 524-205)
Go-to guys: G Eron Harris (9.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg), F Miles Bridges (five-star freshman).
Glue: Lourawls “Tum Tum” Nairn (2.8 ppg, 1.1 rpg)
Key newcomers: Bridges, G Joshua Langford (freshman), G Cassius Winston (freshman), F Ben Carter (grad transfer), F Nick Ward (freshman)
Upside: If the Spartans look hard into the mirror, they just might see Arizona. There’s plenty of young talent and upside, led by Bridges, an NBA-ready forward who is a strong finisher and rebounder with plenty of hops. There’s also some leadership, with Harris expected to fill much of Valentine’s scoring role.
Downside: Also like Arizona, MSU has some questions to answer in chemistry and injuries. Carter, a transfer from UNLV, reinjured a knee he tore up at UNLV last season and he might not return all season. Forward Kenny Goines is returning from offseason knee surgery, too.
Digital: msuspartans.com, @msu_basketball
- Bruce Pascoe
Location: Bakersfield, California
Date/time/TV: Nov. 15, 8 p.m., Pac-12 Networks
Game location: McKale Center
Series with UA: One-time appearance ($90,000 fee)
Last season: 24-9 (11-3 in WAC), RPI: 124
Coach: Rod Barnes (sixth year, 81-78)
Go-to guys: G Dedrick Basile (12.0 ppg, 3.7 apg, 1.8 spg, G Damiyne Durham (11.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg), F Jaylin Airington (10.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg)
Glue: G Brent Wrapp (5.1 ppg, 4.2 apg)
Key newcomers: F Fallou Ndoye (Mississippi State transfer, not eligible until January), F Shon Briggs (juco transfer)
Upside: Basile returns after lifting the Roadrunners into their first-ever NCAA tournament last season with a last-second three-pointer over New Mexico State. Two other guards named to the WAC all-tournament team return, too, and the Bakersfield defense should again be the WAC’s best.
Downside: The Roadrunners lost two key inside players, Kevin Mays and Aly Ahmed, and competition for the WAC’s one NCAA tournament bid will be stiff again from New Mexico State and Grand Canyon.
Digital version: gorunners.com, @csub_mbb
- Bruce Pascoe
Location: Fairfield, Connecticut
Date/time/TV: Nov. 18, 8 p.m., Pac-12 Networks
Game location: McKale Center
Series with UA: One-time appearance ($85,000 fee)
Last season: 12-18 (11-7 in Northeast Conference), RPI: 256
Coach: Anthony Latina (fourth year, 32-61)
Go-to guys: F De’Von Barnett (10.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg in 2014-15), G Quincy McKnight (11.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg).
Glue: G Sean Hoehn (4.8 ppg, 1.8 rpg)
Key newcomers: F Mario Matasovic (Western Michigan transfer), G Charles Tucker (juco transfer), F Joe Lopez (juco transfer), F Shawn Montague (freshman)
Upside: The Pioneers gained some confidence after recording their best league finish in school history. Barnett returns from a shoulder injury that kept him out last season.
Downside: Maybe they should call this team Broken Heart. After the sophomore guard Cane Broome became the first NEC Player of the Year from Sacred Heart last season, averaging 23.1 points per game, he transferred to Cincinnati. “It was torture watching the NCAA tournament this year,” he told the Hartford Courant. “That’s what I want.”
Digital version: sacredheartpioneers.com, @SHUBigRed
- Bruce Pascoe
Location: Greeley, Colorado
Date/time/TV: Nov. 21, 7 p.m., Pac-12 Networks
Game location: McKale Center
Series with UA: One-time appearance ($85,000 fee)
Last season: 10-21 (7-11 in Big Sky), RPI: 305
Coach: Jeff Linder (first year)
Go-to guys: G Anthony Johnson (15.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg)
Glue: G Jordan Davis (11.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.3 spg)
Key newcomers: G D.J. Miles (juco transfer), G Chaz Glotta (Southern Illinois transfer), F Roberto Vercellino (freshman), F Kai Edwards (freshman)
Upside: Johnson, Davis and forward Jeremy Verhagen offer some returning stability to a program that was upended by the firing of coach B.J. Hill last spring during an NCAA investigation.
Downside: Rookie head coach Linder, a former Boise State assistant, takes over a roster full of turnover, and the NCAA could put down a hammer at any point once the investigation is settled.
Digital version: uncbears.com, @unco_mbb
- Bruce Pascoe
Location: Santa Clara, California
Date/time/TV: Nov. 24, 8:30 p.m., FS1
Game location: Orleans Arena, Las Vegas
Series with UA: Bracketed game in Las Vegas Invitational
Last season: 11-20 (7-11 WCC), RPI: 249
Coach: Herb Sendek (first year)
Go-to guys: G Jared Brownridge (20.6 ppg, 2.3 rpg), F Nate Kratch (8.8 ppg, 7.9 rpg)
Glue: KJ Feagin (11.4 ppg, 3.8 apg)
Key newcomer: Sendek.
Upside: This may be an ideal fit for Sendek, the erudite and well-respected – if not dynamic – former ASU coach. Plus, fired former coach Kerry Keating left behind virtually every contributing player on last season’s roster, including prolific scorer Brownridge, who bulldozed his way through Arizona for 44 points last season while the Broncos took the Wildcats to overtime in the Wooden Legacy before UA pulled out a 75-73 win.
Downside: Even if Sendek squeezes the most out of this team, it’s hard to see the Broncos moving up in the WCC past established powers Gonzaga, Saint Mary’s and BYU.
Digital version: santaclarabroncos.com, @santaclarahoops
- Bruce Pascoe
BUTLER or VANDERBILT
Date/time/TV: Nov. 25, TBD, FS1
Game location: Orleans Arena, Las Vegas
- Bruce Pascoe
Location: Indianapolis
Last season: 22-11 (10-8 Big East), RPI: 53
Coach: Chris Holtmann (third year, 45-22)
Go-to guy: F Kelan Martin (15.7 ppg, 6.8 rpg)
- Bruce Pascoe
Location: Nashville, Tennessee
Last season: 19-14 (11-7 SEC), RPI: 71
Coach: Bryce Drew (sixth year, 124-49)
Go-to guy: F Matthew Fisher-Davis (9.7 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 44.6 3FG%)
- Bruce Pascoe
Location: Houston
Date/Time/TV: Nov. 30, 7 p.m., Pac-12 Networks
Game location: McKale Center
Series with UA: One-time appearance ($90,000 fee)
Last season: 18-15 (16-2 SWAC), RPI: 182
Coach: Mike Davis (fifth year, 76-57)
Go-to guy: F Derrick Griffin (13.3 ppg, 11.0 rpg).
Glue: G Dulani Robinson (9.1 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.3 apg in 2014-15 at Pacific).
Key newcomers: Robinson, G Zach Lofton (Minnesota transfer), G Damontrae Jefferson (freshman), G Jalen McCloud (juco transfer)
Upside: Despite spending the early part of last season with the Texas Southern football team, Griffin pulled a SWAC trifecta: Winning the conference’s player of the year, defensive player of the year and newcomer of the year awards. He was also an honorable-mention AP All-American. Davis has won back-to-back SWAC titles and filled considerable holes this season with a variety of recruits.
Downside: Davis and a few role players are all that’s left of last season’s regular-season SWAC champs, who lost to Valparaiso in the first round of the NIT. And there’s nobody left from Texas Southern’s 2015 SWAC champs, which lost to Arizona 93-72 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament that season.
Digital version: tsuball.com, @txsotigers
- Bruce Pascoe
Location: Spokane, Washington
Date/time/TV: Dec. 3, 3:30 p.m., ESPN
Game location: Staples Center, Los Angeles
Series with UA: One-time matchup in the Basketball Hall of Fame’s Hoophall LA doubleheader
Last season: 28-8 (15-3 WCC), RPI: 37
Coach: Mark Few (18th year, 466-111)
Go-to guys: C Przemek Karnowski (8.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg), G Nigel Williams-Goss (15.6 ppg, 5.9 apg in 2014-15 at Washington), G Jordan Mathews (13.5 ppg in 2015-16 at Cal)
Glue guy: G Josh Perkins (10.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 4.1 apg)
Key newcomers: Williams-Goss, Mathews, F Johnathan Williams (Missouri transfer).
Upside: Karnowski is back for a second senior season after a back injury kept him out of 31 games last season, including UA’s win at Spokane. Also, the Zags get Williams-Goss and Williams eligible after redshirt seasons and snagged Mathews off the grad-transfer wire last spring. Returning point guard Perkins and shooting guard Silas Melson are among the many players that add depth to the Gonzaga roster.
Downside: While the Zags will be as solid as usual, the kind of supreme talents they had last season in departed Domantas Sabonis and Kyle Wiltjer don’t always pass through Spokane. Losses to Arizona, UCLA, BYU and Saint Mary’s at the Kennel also shook the program a bit last season.
Digital version: gozags.com, @zagmbb
- Bruce Pascoe
Location: Irvine, California
Game/time/TV: Dec. 6, 8 p.m., Pac-12 Networks
Game location: McKale Center
Series with UA: One-time appearance ($95,000 fee)
Last season: 28-10 (13-3 Big West), RPI: 65
Coach: Russell Turner (seventh year, 118-90)
Go-to guy: G Luke Nelson (13.7 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 3.9 apg)
Glue: G Jaron Martin (8.3 ppg, 1.4 rpg)
Key newcomers: G Justin Wertner (freshman), G Eyassu Worku (freshman), F Tommy Rutherford (freshman), F John Edgar Jr. (freshman), C Brad Greene (freshman)
Upside: The Anteaters have become a perennially tough mid-major team under Turner, who has led them to four straight 20-win seasons, while Nelson has become one of the best players in school history. The All-Big West guard is among UCI’s top five in career three-pointers, assists and steals.
Downside: Losing a talented 7-foot-6 guy tends to change things, and the gigantic Mamadou Ndiaye opted to start a pro career instead of returning to Irvine as a senior. He was not drafted but played for Golden State’s summer league team. Worse, the Anteaters lost three other starters and key reserve Aaron Wright, a strong defender.
Digital version: ucirvinesports.com, @UCImbb
- Bruce Pascoe
Location: Columbia, Missouri
Date/time/TV: Dec. 10, 10 a.m., ESPN2
Game location: Mizzou Arena, Columbia, Mo.
Series with UA: Second game of two-year series (UA won 88-52 last season at McKale Center)
Last season: 10-21 (3-15 SEC), RPI: 224
Coach: Kim Anderson (third year, 19-44)
Go-to guys: G Terrence Phillips (7.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.4 apg), G K.J. Walton (5.3 ppg, 1.9 rpg)
Glue: G Cullen VanLeer (4.0 ppg, 1.2 rpg).
Key newcomers: G Frankie Hughes (freshman), Jordan Barnett (Texas transfer), F Willie Jackson (freshman),
Upside: After a turbulent first two years as head coach at his alma mater, Anderson has all his own players and no more threat of NCAA sanctions. The Tigers self-imposed a postseason ban last season, which kept them out of the SEC tournament, but now they’re free to go. If they can get anywhere, that is.
Downside: Five of the Tigers’ top 11 scorers transferred out of the program last spring, including Namon Wright and Wes Clark. That puts a lot of pressure on Phillips, who will be the Tigers’ undisputed leader as a sophomore, and there’s also a solid recruiting class that should help in the long run.
Digital version: mutigers.com, @mizzouhoops
- Bruce Pascoe
Location: Phoenix
Date/time/TV: Dec. 14, 9 p.m., ESPNU
Game location: McKale Center
Series with UA: One-time appearance ($75,000 guarantee)
Last season: 27-7, (11-3 WAC), RPI: 88
Coach: Dan Majerle (fourth year, 59-37)
Go-to guy: Joshua Braun (16.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg)
Glue: DeWayne Russell (9.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 5.4 apg)
Key newcomers: F Darion Clark (USC transfer), G Shaq Carr (juco transfer), F Oscar Frayer (freshman)
Upside: The Antelopes have been aggressively building toward full membership in Division I for the 2017-18 season, when they will first be eligible for the NCAA tournament. A solid recruiting class joins Russell, who returns after winning back a season of eligibility lost after he played in a 2013-14 exhibition for NAU.
Downside: In his attempt to show the Lopes what top-notch D-I ball is, Majerle may have bitten off more than his team can chew. Grand Canyon will face Duke, Penn State, Louisville, San Diego State and Arizona.
Digital version: gculopes.com, @GCU_Hoops
- Bruce Pascoe
Location: College Station, Texas
Date/time/TV: Dec. 17, 10 a.m., ESPN2
Game location: Toyota Center, Houston
Series with UA: Part of Lone Star Shootout doubleheader, and of a two-game series to be continued in Phoenix during the 2017-18 season.
Last season: 28-9 (13-5 SEC), RPI: 18
Coach: Billy Kennedy (sixth year, 169-99)
Go-to guys: C Tyler Davis (11.4 ppg, 6.3 rpg), Tonny Trocha-Morelos (7.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg)
Glue: G J.C. Hampton (Lipscomb transfer)
Key newcomers: Hampton, F Robert Williams (freshman), G Caleb Smith (freshman), F Eric Vila (freshman)
Upside: The Aggies reached a peak in Billy Kennedy’s tenure last season, setting a school record for wins, tying with Kentucky for the SEC regular-season title and reaching the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament. Four starters were lost off that team, but the Aggies are still big and defense-minded. Momentum and confidence could remain. Davis was the SEC’s best offensive rebounder last season and getting him the ball initially will likely be a priority for the Aggies this time.
Downside: Even if the Aggies avoid what appears an inevitable slip this season, having 10 freshmen and sophomores on the roster suggests they’ll be still working through many issues when they meet Arizona in December. The backcourt is relatively inexperienced and Hampton may have to take over some of the leadership, at least early, despite being a newcomer. But the game with Arizona will be played early in the day, especially on the Wildcats’ body clocks, so who knows what might happen.
Digital version: 12thman.com, @AggieMensHoops
- Bruce Pascoe
Location: Albuquerque
Date/time/TV: Dec. 20, 7 p.m., Pac-12 Networks
Game location: McKale Center
Series with UA: First year of two-year series to be finished at Albuquerque in 2017-18.
Last season: 17-15 (10-8 Mountain West), RPI: 137
Coach: Craig Neal (fourth year, 59-38)
Go-to guys: G Elijah Brown (21.7 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.1 apg), F Tim Williams (16.8 ppg, 7.4 rpg)
Glue: G Xavier Adams (4.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.0 apg)
Key newcomers: G Jalen Harris (freshman), F Damien Jefferson (freshman), F Aher Uguak (freshman), F Connor MacDougall (juco transfer).
Upside: Four returning starters, including a potential conference player of the year candidate in Brown, say the Lobos should make a serious run for the Mountain West title and give the Wildcats a difficult time in their pre-Christmas matchup. If nothing else, New Mexico will likely be Arizona’s toughest nonconference test. Adams should elevate from a sixth man into a more prominent role in the backcourt, while the Lobos also have experience up front in senior Abij Aget and some promise in the athletic Uguak, who was a Sudanese refugee who landed in Edmonton, Alberta.
Downside: The Lobos defense has been shaky, allowing 73.4 points per game and having a mediocre defensive efficiency rating of 102.0 points allowed per 100 opponent possessions. That needs to shore up if Neal can put the Lobos on an upward arc in what could be a pivotal season for him.
Digital version: golobos.com, @UNMhoops
More like this...
- Bruce Pascoe
Location: East Lansing, Michigan
Date/time/TV: Nov. 11, 5 p.m., ESPN
Game location: Stan Sheriff Center, Honolulu
Series with UA: One-time matchup in Armed Forces Classic doubleheader
Last season: 29-6 (13-5 in Big Ten), RPI: 12
Coach: Tom Izzo (22nd year, 524-205)
Go-to guys: G Eron Harris (9.3 ppg, 2.6 rpg), F Miles Bridges (five-star freshman).
Glue: Lourawls “Tum Tum” Nairn (2.8 ppg, 1.1 rpg)
Key newcomers: Bridges, G Joshua Langford (freshman), G Cassius Winston (freshman), F Ben Carter (grad transfer), F Nick Ward (freshman)
Upside: If the Spartans look hard into the mirror, they just might see Arizona. There’s plenty of young talent and upside, led by Bridges, an NBA-ready forward who is a strong finisher and rebounder with plenty of hops. There’s also some leadership, with Harris expected to fill much of Valentine’s scoring role.
Downside: Also like Arizona, MSU has some questions to answer in chemistry and injuries. Carter, a transfer from UNLV, reinjured a knee he tore up at UNLV last season and he might not return all season. Forward Kenny Goines is returning from offseason knee surgery, too.
Digital: msuspartans.com, @msu_basketball
- Bruce Pascoe
Location: Bakersfield, California
Date/time/TV: Nov. 15, 8 p.m., Pac-12 Networks
Game location: McKale Center
Series with UA: One-time appearance ($90,000 fee)
Last season: 24-9 (11-3 in WAC), RPI: 124
Coach: Rod Barnes (sixth year, 81-78)
Go-to guys: G Dedrick Basile (12.0 ppg, 3.7 apg, 1.8 spg, G Damiyne Durham (11.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg), F Jaylin Airington (10.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg)
Glue: G Brent Wrapp (5.1 ppg, 4.2 apg)
Key newcomers: F Fallou Ndoye (Mississippi State transfer, not eligible until January), F Shon Briggs (juco transfer)
Upside: Basile returns after lifting the Roadrunners into their first-ever NCAA tournament last season with a last-second three-pointer over New Mexico State. Two other guards named to the WAC all-tournament team return, too, and the Bakersfield defense should again be the WAC’s best.
Downside: The Roadrunners lost two key inside players, Kevin Mays and Aly Ahmed, and competition for the WAC’s one NCAA tournament bid will be stiff again from New Mexico State and Grand Canyon.
Digital version: gorunners.com, @csub_mbb
- Bruce Pascoe
Location: Fairfield, Connecticut
Date/time/TV: Nov. 18, 8 p.m., Pac-12 Networks
Game location: McKale Center
Series with UA: One-time appearance ($85,000 fee)
Last season: 12-18 (11-7 in Northeast Conference), RPI: 256
Coach: Anthony Latina (fourth year, 32-61)
Go-to guys: F De’Von Barnett (10.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg in 2014-15), G Quincy McKnight (11.4 ppg, 5.3 rpg).
Glue: G Sean Hoehn (4.8 ppg, 1.8 rpg)
Key newcomers: F Mario Matasovic (Western Michigan transfer), G Charles Tucker (juco transfer), F Joe Lopez (juco transfer), F Shawn Montague (freshman)
Upside: The Pioneers gained some confidence after recording their best league finish in school history. Barnett returns from a shoulder injury that kept him out last season.
Downside: Maybe they should call this team Broken Heart. After the sophomore guard Cane Broome became the first NEC Player of the Year from Sacred Heart last season, averaging 23.1 points per game, he transferred to Cincinnati. “It was torture watching the NCAA tournament this year,” he told the Hartford Courant. “That’s what I want.”
Digital version: sacredheartpioneers.com, @SHUBigRed
- Bruce Pascoe
Location: Greeley, Colorado
Date/time/TV: Nov. 21, 7 p.m., Pac-12 Networks
Game location: McKale Center
Series with UA: One-time appearance ($85,000 fee)
Last season: 10-21 (7-11 in Big Sky), RPI: 305
Coach: Jeff Linder (first year)
Go-to guys: G Anthony Johnson (15.8 ppg, 4.5 rpg)
Glue: G Jordan Davis (11.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.3 spg)
Key newcomers: G D.J. Miles (juco transfer), G Chaz Glotta (Southern Illinois transfer), F Roberto Vercellino (freshman), F Kai Edwards (freshman)
Upside: Johnson, Davis and forward Jeremy Verhagen offer some returning stability to a program that was upended by the firing of coach B.J. Hill last spring during an NCAA investigation.
Downside: Rookie head coach Linder, a former Boise State assistant, takes over a roster full of turnover, and the NCAA could put down a hammer at any point once the investigation is settled.
Digital version: uncbears.com, @unco_mbb
- Bruce Pascoe
Location: Santa Clara, California
Date/time/TV: Nov. 24, 8:30 p.m., FS1
Game location: Orleans Arena, Las Vegas
Series with UA: Bracketed game in Las Vegas Invitational
Last season: 11-20 (7-11 WCC), RPI: 249
Coach: Herb Sendek (first year)
Go-to guys: G Jared Brownridge (20.6 ppg, 2.3 rpg), F Nate Kratch (8.8 ppg, 7.9 rpg)
Glue: KJ Feagin (11.4 ppg, 3.8 apg)
Key newcomer: Sendek.
Upside: This may be an ideal fit for Sendek, the erudite and well-respected – if not dynamic – former ASU coach. Plus, fired former coach Kerry Keating left behind virtually every contributing player on last season’s roster, including prolific scorer Brownridge, who bulldozed his way through Arizona for 44 points last season while the Broncos took the Wildcats to overtime in the Wooden Legacy before UA pulled out a 75-73 win.
Downside: Even if Sendek squeezes the most out of this team, it’s hard to see the Broncos moving up in the WCC past established powers Gonzaga, Saint Mary’s and BYU.
Digital version: santaclarabroncos.com, @santaclarahoops
- Bruce Pascoe
Location: Houston
Date/Time/TV: Nov. 30, 7 p.m., Pac-12 Networks
Game location: McKale Center
Series with UA: One-time appearance ($90,000 fee)
Last season: 18-15 (16-2 SWAC), RPI: 182
Coach: Mike Davis (fifth year, 76-57)
Go-to guy: F Derrick Griffin (13.3 ppg, 11.0 rpg).
Glue: G Dulani Robinson (9.1 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 2.3 apg in 2014-15 at Pacific).
Key newcomers: Robinson, G Zach Lofton (Minnesota transfer), G Damontrae Jefferson (freshman), G Jalen McCloud (juco transfer)
Upside: Despite spending the early part of last season with the Texas Southern football team, Griffin pulled a SWAC trifecta: Winning the conference’s player of the year, defensive player of the year and newcomer of the year awards. He was also an honorable-mention AP All-American. Davis has won back-to-back SWAC titles and filled considerable holes this season with a variety of recruits.
Downside: Davis and a few role players are all that’s left of last season’s regular-season SWAC champs, who lost to Valparaiso in the first round of the NIT. And there’s nobody left from Texas Southern’s 2015 SWAC champs, which lost to Arizona 93-72 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament that season.
Digital version: tsuball.com, @txsotigers
- Bruce Pascoe
Location: Spokane, Washington
Date/time/TV: Dec. 3, 3:30 p.m., ESPN
Game location: Staples Center, Los Angeles
Series with UA: One-time matchup in the Basketball Hall of Fame’s Hoophall LA doubleheader
Last season: 28-8 (15-3 WCC), RPI: 37
Coach: Mark Few (18th year, 466-111)
Go-to guys: C Przemek Karnowski (8.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg), G Nigel Williams-Goss (15.6 ppg, 5.9 apg in 2014-15 at Washington), G Jordan Mathews (13.5 ppg in 2015-16 at Cal)
Glue guy: G Josh Perkins (10.1 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 4.1 apg)
Key newcomers: Williams-Goss, Mathews, F Johnathan Williams (Missouri transfer).
Upside: Karnowski is back for a second senior season after a back injury kept him out of 31 games last season, including UA’s win at Spokane. Also, the Zags get Williams-Goss and Williams eligible after redshirt seasons and snagged Mathews off the grad-transfer wire last spring. Returning point guard Perkins and shooting guard Silas Melson are among the many players that add depth to the Gonzaga roster.
Downside: While the Zags will be as solid as usual, the kind of supreme talents they had last season in departed Domantas Sabonis and Kyle Wiltjer don’t always pass through Spokane. Losses to Arizona, UCLA, BYU and Saint Mary’s at the Kennel also shook the program a bit last season.
Digital version: gozags.com, @zagmbb
- Bruce Pascoe
Location: Irvine, California
Game/time/TV: Dec. 6, 8 p.m., Pac-12 Networks
Game location: McKale Center
Series with UA: One-time appearance ($95,000 fee)
Last season: 28-10 (13-3 Big West), RPI: 65
Coach: Russell Turner (seventh year, 118-90)
Go-to guy: G Luke Nelson (13.7 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 3.9 apg)
Glue: G Jaron Martin (8.3 ppg, 1.4 rpg)
Key newcomers: G Justin Wertner (freshman), G Eyassu Worku (freshman), F Tommy Rutherford (freshman), F John Edgar Jr. (freshman), C Brad Greene (freshman)
Upside: The Anteaters have become a perennially tough mid-major team under Turner, who has led them to four straight 20-win seasons, while Nelson has become one of the best players in school history. The All-Big West guard is among UCI’s top five in career three-pointers, assists and steals.
Downside: Losing a talented 7-foot-6 guy tends to change things, and the gigantic Mamadou Ndiaye opted to start a pro career instead of returning to Irvine as a senior. He was not drafted but played for Golden State’s summer league team. Worse, the Anteaters lost three other starters and key reserve Aaron Wright, a strong defender.
Digital version: ucirvinesports.com, @UCImbb
- Bruce Pascoe
Location: Columbia, Missouri
Date/time/TV: Dec. 10, 10 a.m., ESPN2
Game location: Mizzou Arena, Columbia, Mo.
Series with UA: Second game of two-year series (UA won 88-52 last season at McKale Center)
Last season: 10-21 (3-15 SEC), RPI: 224
Coach: Kim Anderson (third year, 19-44)
Go-to guys: G Terrence Phillips (7.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.4 apg), G K.J. Walton (5.3 ppg, 1.9 rpg)
Glue: G Cullen VanLeer (4.0 ppg, 1.2 rpg).
Key newcomers: G Frankie Hughes (freshman), Jordan Barnett (Texas transfer), F Willie Jackson (freshman),
Upside: After a turbulent first two years as head coach at his alma mater, Anderson has all his own players and no more threat of NCAA sanctions. The Tigers self-imposed a postseason ban last season, which kept them out of the SEC tournament, but now they’re free to go. If they can get anywhere, that is.
Downside: Five of the Tigers’ top 11 scorers transferred out of the program last spring, including Namon Wright and Wes Clark. That puts a lot of pressure on Phillips, who will be the Tigers’ undisputed leader as a sophomore, and there’s also a solid recruiting class that should help in the long run.
Digital version: mutigers.com, @mizzouhoops
- Bruce Pascoe
Location: Phoenix
Date/time/TV: Dec. 14, 9 p.m., ESPNU
Game location: McKale Center
Series with UA: One-time appearance ($75,000 guarantee)
Last season: 27-7, (11-3 WAC), RPI: 88
Coach: Dan Majerle (fourth year, 59-37)
Go-to guy: Joshua Braun (16.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg)
Glue: DeWayne Russell (9.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 5.4 apg)
Key newcomers: F Darion Clark (USC transfer), G Shaq Carr (juco transfer), F Oscar Frayer (freshman)
Upside: The Antelopes have been aggressively building toward full membership in Division I for the 2017-18 season, when they will first be eligible for the NCAA tournament. A solid recruiting class joins Russell, who returns after winning back a season of eligibility lost after he played in a 2013-14 exhibition for NAU.
Downside: In his attempt to show the Lopes what top-notch D-I ball is, Majerle may have bitten off more than his team can chew. Grand Canyon will face Duke, Penn State, Louisville, San Diego State and Arizona.
Digital version: gculopes.com, @GCU_Hoops
- Bruce Pascoe
Location: College Station, Texas
Date/time/TV: Dec. 17, 10 a.m., ESPN2
Game location: Toyota Center, Houston
Series with UA: Part of Lone Star Shootout doubleheader, and of a two-game series to be continued in Phoenix during the 2017-18 season.
Last season: 28-9 (13-5 SEC), RPI: 18
Coach: Billy Kennedy (sixth year, 169-99)
Go-to guys: C Tyler Davis (11.4 ppg, 6.3 rpg), Tonny Trocha-Morelos (7.0 ppg, 4.2 rpg)
Glue: G J.C. Hampton (Lipscomb transfer)
Key newcomers: Hampton, F Robert Williams (freshman), G Caleb Smith (freshman), F Eric Vila (freshman)
Upside: The Aggies reached a peak in Billy Kennedy’s tenure last season, setting a school record for wins, tying with Kentucky for the SEC regular-season title and reaching the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament. Four starters were lost off that team, but the Aggies are still big and defense-minded. Momentum and confidence could remain. Davis was the SEC’s best offensive rebounder last season and getting him the ball initially will likely be a priority for the Aggies this time.
Downside: Even if the Aggies avoid what appears an inevitable slip this season, having 10 freshmen and sophomores on the roster suggests they’ll be still working through many issues when they meet Arizona in December. The backcourt is relatively inexperienced and Hampton may have to take over some of the leadership, at least early, despite being a newcomer. But the game with Arizona will be played early in the day, especially on the Wildcats’ body clocks, so who knows what might happen.
Digital version: 12thman.com, @AggieMensHoops
- Bruce Pascoe
Location: Albuquerque
Date/time/TV: Dec. 20, 7 p.m., Pac-12 Networks
Game location: McKale Center
Series with UA: First year of two-year series to be finished at Albuquerque in 2017-18.
Last season: 17-15 (10-8 Mountain West), RPI: 137
Coach: Craig Neal (fourth year, 59-38)
Go-to guys: G Elijah Brown (21.7 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 3.1 apg), F Tim Williams (16.8 ppg, 7.4 rpg)
Glue: G Xavier Adams (4.6 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.0 apg)
Key newcomers: G Jalen Harris (freshman), F Damien Jefferson (freshman), F Aher Uguak (freshman), F Connor MacDougall (juco transfer).
Upside: Four returning starters, including a potential conference player of the year candidate in Brown, say the Lobos should make a serious run for the Mountain West title and give the Wildcats a difficult time in their pre-Christmas matchup. If nothing else, New Mexico will likely be Arizona’s toughest nonconference test. Adams should elevate from a sixth man into a more prominent role in the backcourt, while the Lobos also have experience up front in senior Abij Aget and some promise in the athletic Uguak, who was a Sudanese refugee who landed in Edmonton, Alberta.
Downside: The Lobos defense has been shaky, allowing 73.4 points per game and having a mediocre defensive efficiency rating of 102.0 points allowed per 100 opponent possessions. That needs to shore up if Neal can put the Lobos on an upward arc in what could be a pivotal season for him.
Digital version: golobos.com, @UNMhoops
Tucson's having a big fast-food reshuffle
