Arizona fans got their first look at the future of Arizona basketball as the Red-Blue game took place Friday night. The Blue team ultimately won 46-32. Devonaire Doutrive led all scorers with 15 followed by Max Hazzard with 11 and Stone Gettings with 10.
The annual Red-Blue game is always something Arizona Basketball fans look forward to and this year was no different. Coming off a disappointing year where the ‘Cats finished 17-15, there are much higher expectations this year. Nico Mannion and Josh Green headline an incoming freshman class that was ranked No. 7 by ESPN.
The night got started like it always does with Sean Miller addressing the crowd and thanking them for their continued support and dedication. Miller also talked about the passing of superfan George Kalil over summer and how much he meant to the basketball program.
After Miller addressed the crowd the dunk contest took place. Green, Christian Koloko, Ira Lee, Devonaire Doutrive and Zeke Nnaji all battled it out but eventually the sophomore Doutrive won the contest with a combined score of 96.
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After the dunk contest the two teams split up and faced off in a scrimmage. The Red team had Green, Mannion, Hazzard, Lee, Nnaji, Kory Jones and Jake DesJardins while the Blue team had Dylan Smith, Jemarl Baker, Gettings, Dourtive, Koloko, Jordan Brown and Matt Weyand. The Blue team jumped out to a quick 10-0 lead and never looked back. Doutrive was the best player on the court and finished with 15 points.
“He’s grown up a lot,” Miller said. “He’s more mature, bigger and stronger. When you practice and work your way through a freshman year regardless of your role you should have a great summer and be that much better as a sophomore.”
After the game, Miller also talked about how some of the freshmen might have struggled since it was their first time in front of 15,000 people and what to expect moving forward. He pointed out Mannion in particular.
“Nico did fine. I’m going to be his biggest fan here early on,” Miller said. “It’s almost unfair with the high expectations for him … everyone has to take him with a grain of salt, he’s not going to be perfect every night but he’ll get there.”
Arizona’s next game is Nov. 1 against Chico State at Mckale Center in an exhibition match-up. They will then face off against NAU to open the season on Nov. 6.
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