What to watch for when Arizona men’s basketball faces San Francisco in exhibition

It’s not the regular season yet, but it’s pretty close.

The 2026-27 season begins in three weeks, and to prepare for that Arizona has scheduled a trio of exhibition games against Division I opponents. The first of those comes Tuesday night when San Francisco visits ALKEME Arena at McKale Center. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. PT and the game will air on ESPN+.

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The UA will also face San Diego State on Friday and Eastern Washington on Oct. 23, with those games at the same times and with the same TV info.

Last year marked the first time the NCAA allowed for teams to face Division I opponents in the preseason, with Arizona hosting (and beating) Saint Mary’s in one of their exhibitions. The other was against NAIA school Embry-Riddle, the kind of teams the Wildcats would regularly schedule for preseason competition.

Now teams can play up to three exhibitions, all against D-I teams, and Arizona is taking full advantage.

“These are tough, competitive games,” UA assistant coach Jack Murphy said. “I mean, if the NCAA Tournament were at 76 teams the last few years I think San Francisco probably is in it. We already know San Diego State is a perennial NCAA Tournament team, and Eastern Washington is one of the more talented teams in the Big Sky.

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“I think that it’s a great challenge for our guys early on. It’s exciting. It gives us an opportunity to play against good teams in preparation for our opener in November.”

Here’s what to watch for when the Wildcats and Dons open preseason play on Tuesday night:

The starting lineup and beyond

When Arizona went to Lithuania in August to play three games it used two different starting lineups, but swapping out Bryce James for Cameron Holmes at one of the guard spots. But the Wildcats didn’t have their full allotment of players available, either because of injuries or eligibility.

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Both may still be the case on Tuesday. Clemson transfer RJ Godfrey is currently ineligible pending his ongoing case against the NCAA in Georgia,…

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Publish date : 2026-10-13 01:00:00

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