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As for the rookies of the season, it was not the best performance from a team perspective. But given the circumstances, just being able to play college basketball during a global pandemic was an accomplishment in itself.
The Arizona Wildcats had little problem with Grambling State in their 2020-21 debut on Friday afternoon, taking a 74-55 victory over the Tigers at the strangely empty McKale Center.
He scored on 12e in as many seasons, the AU opened the season with a victory in the Sean Miller time. And it has been so many times during his tenure, that first game also marked the debut of a slew of new players.
Arizona freshmen totaled 64 points, 33 rebounds and 16 assists, with transfers James akinjo and Jordan Brown do most of the damage with 19 points each.
Akinjo, in his first game since arriving from Georgetown last winter, was 6 of 14 from the field but had 4 of 9 3 points, while Brown had 8 of 10 shots and added 15 rebounds after being out of the field. 2019-20 campaign after his transfer from Nevada.
Brown is the fifth player under Miller to record a double-double in his UA debut, and his 15 boards are the most scored by a Wildcat in their first Miller-coached game.
“I put on a lot of weight, a lot of good weight,” said 6-foot-11, 235-pound Brown, who noted that Friday was the first time he’s played a college game in 614 days. “I feel a lot stronger and I think it shows.”
Akinjo’s four triples were also the best of the Miller era on his debut, which saw him play a high of 38 minutes.
“James has an inner confidence that our team needs,” coach Sean Miller said.
Seattle graduate transfer Terrell Brown Jr. had just two points but had seven assists, the most from a player coached by Miller in his first UA game.
Among UA freshmen, Bennedict Mathurin was the best score with 12 points, while Let go of Terry—The only freshman to start – was seven and Azuolas Tubelis added five.
Christian Koloko and Jemarl Baker Jr. were the only returning players who saw action for Arizona, with Koloko registering 7 points and 9 rebounds while Baker had 3 points, 4 rebounds and an assist but only played 16 minutes and made a fault.
Arizona third returner, senior Ira lee, missed the game due to a concussion. Arizona played an eight-man rotation, with Tibet Görener and Tautvilas Tubelis as the only available stock players who haven’t seen any action. First year French Daniel Batcho missed the game due to a knee injury.
As for the game itself, Grambling’s only lead came from 2-0, but that was followed by a 10-0 AU run. The Tigers’ closest after that was 15-12 after an 8-0 run with 11:35 left, but the Wildcats then dropped 12 of the next 14 points to lead 24-14 with 5:27 left before the half-time.
Arizona led in double digits for the final 23 minutes and up, with a 39-24 halftime advantage. Grambling reached 57-47 with 7:03 to go but no closer.
AU only shot 38.3%, or 7 of 25, 3 while keeping Grambling 32.8% shooting and a performance of 3 of 22 from the perimeter. The Wildcats passed the Tigers 46-37 but committed 15 to 17 turnovers for Grambling.
“I think it’s okay, but I really know we can do a lot better,” Akinjo said. “I think we can improve in all areas of the game.”
Miller added, “We obviously have a very long way to go.”
Arizona returns to action Sunday at 4 p.m. MST against UTEP at McKale, the final adjustment before the Pac-12 game begins Wednesday at home against Colorado.
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