Preview: Arizona vs. San Francisco (exhibition)

TUCSON, Ariz. - After playing three exhibition games in Lithuania in mid-August and then the Red-Blue Showcase back on Sept. 26, the 2026-27 season is one step closer with the first official exhibition game on Tuesday against the University of San Francisco Dons.

The game will tip-off at 7:00 p.m. MST from McKale Center at ALKEME Arena, with Darron Sutton and Corey Williams calling the action on ESPN+. Tickets start as low as $15 and can be purchased online at ArizonaWildcats.com/MBK.

In the Rankings

While the official preseason Top 25 poll from the Associated Press has not been released, there are a number of analytical websites that have posted their preseason rankings and Arizona is prominently placed in most of them. The Wildcats check-in at No. 2 in Bart Torvik's ranking while EvanMiya.com has Arizona No. 4 and KenPom.com places the Wildcats at No. 5 to start the year.

Arizona At A Glance

Coming off a 36-3 record last year and the program's first appearance in the Final Four in 25 years, Arizona has one again reloaded with two high-profile returners in addition to a number of strong pieces joining the program as freshmen and transfers.

Senior post player Motiejus Krivas is a preseason All-American candidate and will be a focal point for Arizona at both ends of the court. He is joined by high-energy wing Ivan Kharchenkov, who led the Wildcats in scoring during the three exhibition games in Lithuania.

Add in the additions of Derek Dixon (North Carolina), JJ Mandaquit (Washington) and Ugnius Jarusevicius (Nebraska) along with McDonald's All-American Caleb Holt, Cameron Holmes and Maksim Brnovic and it is easy to see why Wildcat fans should be excited about the 2026-27 season.

Another transfer, RJ Godfrey (Clemson), joined the program over the summer but is currently not eligible for competition.

About the Dons

Last year, USF was 17-16 overall and 8-10 in the West Coast Conference under head coach Chris Gerlufsen, who is entering his fifth year with the Dons. Ndewedo Newbury is the top returner on a roster that features 14 new faces.

Looking Ahead

In the first season when NCAA Division I teams are permitted to play three exhibition games, the Wildcats will host San Diego State on Friday (Oct. 16; ESPN+) followed by Eastern Washington (Oct. 23; ESPN+) ahead of the season opener against UCLA in Las Vegas on Nov. 2.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Maksim Brnovic

Derek Dixon

RJ Godfrey

Cameron Holmes

Caleb Holt

Ugnius Jarusevicius

Ivan Kharchenkov

Motiejus Krivas

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