The No. 13 University of Arizona men’s basketball team will face Utah Tech University on Friday, Nov. 7, at 7 p.m. in McKale Center. Coming off a huge win against No. 3 University of Florida, the Wildcats will look to gain momentum moving forward in their season.
History vs. Utah Tech
The programs have seen just one matchup against each other, granting Arizona a 104-77 win. The game was in Tucson, giving the Wildcats home court advantage and took place Nov. 17, 2022. Now, 3 years later, they will compete in their second ever contest.
Trailblazers to watch
Utah Tech is led by Jon Judkins, who has stood at the helm for 21 seasons as head coach. Over the years, he’s tallied six Pacific West Conference Coach of the Year awards, with 622 career wins under his belt. Notably, Judkins became the first men’s coach in Utah collegiate history to reach 500 wins, earning him the title of Utah’s all-time winningest coach in college basketball.
Chance Trujillo, a redshirt sophomore from Snow College, could be a huge offensive addition to the Trailblazer roster. In Utah Tech’s close victory over the University of South Dakota, Trujillo led the Trailblazers with 17 points, leading the game with 12 rebounds. Additionally, Trujillo tallied five assists. Trujillo’s contributions on the court could be a major difference maker going for Utah Tech this season.
The 6-foot-8 senior forward from Utah Valley University is another asset to watch for on this Trailblazer team. Ethan Potter, from Layton, Utah, led the match with 20 points against Bethesda University on Nov. 5, shooting 7-for-12 from the field. On top of his buckets, he brought down seven rebounds, earned three steals and blocked one shot. He is a center point for Utah Tech, able to maneuver the ball in the paint.
Jusaun Holt, 6-foot-7 guard, is yet another transfer player from Kennesaw State University. Having redshirted his last season there, Holt enters the Utah Tech team with a fresh energy. Against South Dakota, Holt saw 38 minutes on the court, earning 11 points and eight boards. He will be an all-around player for the Trailblazers this season, making impressive efforts both offensively and defensively.
Wildcats to watch
Amongst this season’s impressive roster, fifth season head coach Tommy Lloyd has proved his keen eye for talent. Lloyd has sent several Wildcats to the NBA, including last season’s Wildcats, Caleb Love and Carter Bryant. His ability to transform high-school players into professional athletes is nothing short of impressive. With a victory over the reigning champs in his first game of the season, Lloyd looks for a successful season ahead.
Five-star freshman recruit Koa Peat proved exactly why he was added to the Wildcats’ team against Florida. Peat put up 30 points, going 11-for-18 in field goals and 8-for-12 from the free throw line. On top of his immense offensive efforts, he grabbed seven rebounds, three steals and one block. Peat was near unstoppable and a huge component to Arizona’s upset win over the Gators. Moving forward in the season, Peat will be a key component for the Wildcats.
Jaden Bradley, returning senior point guard, worked hand-in-hand with Peat, contributing 27 points and collecting five assists. The two combined counted for over half of the Wildcats’ points. Bradley has been and will continue to be a leader for the team, connecting new players with returning vets. His quick transition and eye for the court will be essential in finding easy 2-pointers for Arizona.
Ivan Kharchenkov, a transfer from Germany, was another newbie that made his mark against the Gators. With 10 rebounds and 12 points, Kharchenkov demonstrated his ability to be effective on both sides of the court. He shot 2-for-2 from beyond the arc, the start of becoming the outside shooter Arizona lost from last year’s roster in Love and Carter. Kharchenkov is another player for Arizona who can be effective both inside the paint as well as from the perimeter.
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