Ivan Kharchenkov's 38 Points Not Enough as Arizona Falls to UCLA
The Wildcats lost 84-75 in Las Vegas, struggling with rebounding and three-point shooting despite a dominant performance from their sophomore forward.
By Ethan Cook ·
Ivan Kharchenkov scored 38 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, yet Arizona still lost its season opener 84-75 to UCLA at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Monday.
The 38-point effort was not enough to overcome the team's 37 combined points from all other players. This disparity left the Wildcats dependent on a single player to drive the offense. The rest of the roster struggled to find rhythm or contribute meaningful scoring.
Defensive issues compounded the offensive struggles. UCLA recorded 27 rebounds in the first half compared to 22 for Arizona. The Bruins finished the game with 16 offensive rebounds. Freshman forward Nikola Kusturica secured one such rebound by tipping the ball to himself over two Arizona defenders. Head coach Tommy Lloyd reacted with visible frustration, turning to the bench to demand better effort on the glass.
The Wildcats also shot poorly from beyond the arc. They attempted 30 three-pointers and made only seven, a 23% success rate. They made just one three-pointer in the first half. Last season, Arizona attempted only 16 three-pointers per game, ranking 359th out of 365 teams. Lloyd indicated he expects his players to take more open shots when opponents concede the perimeter.
Senior center Mo Krivas faced a double team most of the night. He finished with eight points on two baskets while drawing nine or 10 fouls. The Lithuanian 7-foot-2 player was limited in his ability to score in the paint. UCLA’s strategy of clogging the lane forced Arizona to rely on outside shots and drives from other players.
The absence of fifth-year forward RJ Godfrey, who is holding out for a court injunction, reduced frontcourt depth. Freshman guard Caleb Holt, expected to provide support, managed seven points on 2-for-7 shooting. He battled foul trouble and struggled against the experienced UCLA backcourt. Lloyd described the game as a learning process for a team with many new players in new roles.
Lloyd stated that the loss would not define the season. He emphasized that the team must keep moving forward. The Wildcats will look to adjust their shooting and rebounding in upcoming games. UCLA’s control of the paint and rebounding battle proved decisive in the 84-75 victory.
