Compiled by Bruce Pascoe
Projected Starters
Arizona
• G Mark Lyons (6-1 senior)
• G Nick Johnson (6-3 sophomore)
• F Solomon Hill (6-7 senior)
• F Brandon Ashley (6-8 freshman)
• C Kaleb Tarczewski (7-0 freshman)
Utah
• G Glen Dean (5-10 junior)
• G Jarred DuBois (6-3 senior)
• F Cedric Martin (6-4 senior)
• F Jordan Loveridge (6-6 freshman)
• C Jason Washburn (6-10 senior)
Sidelines
Utes tiptoe around buzzer shot
With an extra day to prepare for today's game, Utah players and coaches had plenty of time to watch the Wildcats' controversial win over Colorado. Which meant they were just as confused as everyone else.
"I don't know," Utah's Jason Washburn said about the waved-off three-pointer by Sabatino Chen at the buzzer. "From different angles, it looked like it was in his hand. Sometimes it didn't. Sometimes the clock said 0.1, sometimes it said zero."
Utah coach Larry Krystkowiak, put faith into veteran crew chief Verne Harris. "Verne's a guy that's done Final Fours and is one of the top officials," he said. "Far be it for me to second-guess what he has to look at on that screen. ... It kinda solidified in my mind that there are no little things."
Extra days off will even out
Over the course of a season, Miller says, all teams should have roughly the same advantage with the Pac-12's newly expanded weekend scheduling, which will include frequent Wednesday and Saturday games. Utah received an extra day of prep time this week, but Arizona will have two and even three days between games in February.
"It's the way of the world in college basketball," Miller said. "Other leagues have gone to this."
Debating rallies
What's been UA's toughest comeback win this season: Southern Miss, Florida, San Diego State or Colorado?
The Wildcats can't decide.
"This was harder," Mark Lyons said.
"I don't know," Nick Johnson said.
"Southern Miss?" Parrom asked.
Johnson frowned at that before Lyons came up with a compromise.
"I'm going with (Colorado)," Lyons said after Thursday's win over the Buffs. "(Parrom) got Southern Miss, (Johnson) got Florida and I got tonight. It's tough. All of them.
"It's just tough, man."
HOW THEY MATCH UP
• The series: Arizona has beaten Utah five straight times, including a 77-51 win in Salt Lake City and a 70-61 win at McKale Center last season after the Utes joined the Pac-12. Utah led the Wildcats by 13 points early in the McKale game, but Brendon Lavender's 4-of-5 three-point shooting bailed UA out.
• Utah overview: The Utes lost at ASU 55-54 in overtime on Wednesday to open Pac-12 play but are moving quickly to improve in coach Larry Krystkowiak's second season. While Utah has loaded up on four-year transfers, the Utes are also getting a formidable offensive punch inside with returning center Jason Washburn and freshman power forward Jordan Loveridge. Guards Glen Dean and Jarred DuBois are good shooters and ballhandlers, while Cedric Martin is versatile at small forward. Utah's strength is its oft-changing defense, which can use man-to-man and zone along with some tricks. Foes average just 57 points and 35.4 percent field goal shooting against Utah.
KEY PLAYERS
Jason Washburn
Utah
Washburn was a big part of the scare Utah gave UA last season at McKale Center, with 15 points and seven rebounds. The skilled big man is even better now, collecting 19 points and 18 rebounds in Utah's loss at ASU on Thursday.
Nick Johnson
Arizona
If the Cats can count on anyone to keep sharp after their emotional comeback win over Colorado, it's Johnson. His ballhandling, athleticism, shooting and level-headedness could prove valuable no matter what defense Utah tries.
Numbers game
0
Road games Utah has won since joining the Pac-12 last season
6
UA wins in its past eight overtime games.
28
Made free throws (in 36 attempts) by Arizona against Colorado, a season-high
He said it
"(The Utes) are doing a lot of the same things (as last year), but they have a lot better players. They really have a talent upgrade. ... They have new guys, but they're experienced."
UA assistant coach Joe Pasternack, who scouted Utah
Utah (8-5, 0-1) at No. 3 Arizona (13-0, 1-0) • McKale Center • 3 p.m., today • Pac-12 Networks • 1290-AM, 107.5-FM, 990-AM (Spanish)
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