The Red team edged out the blue team 47-44 in a thrilling scrimmage of the Arizona basketball team to cap off a memorable evening of exciting basketball on Oct. 4.
Two scrimmages, a 3-point contest, a slam dunk contest, and hilarious commentary from former Wildcats and NBA champions Richard Jefferson and Channing Frye made for another epic night at Mckale Center.
Not to mention the electric Pride of Arizona and cheer squad leading the overflowing student section.
The night started off strong with a brief scrimmage game from Arizona’s men’s wheelchair basketball team. UA Adaptive Athletics celebrates 50 years of program history this season. The blue team won 27-25 with a buzzer-beater 3-pointer.
Caleb Love wins 3-point contest
Love claimed victory in the Taco Bell 3-point contest, defeating freshman Carter Bryant. Love scored 23 in the first round and 17 in the final making eight of 10 shots from the top of the arc. He carried that hot shooting into the scrimmage, finishing with 19 points.
Freshman Carter Bryant wins slam dunk contest
The highly anticipated slam dunk contest did not disappoint. Bryant took home the win and beat defending champion KJ Lewis, saying that he’s just carrying on the ‘freshman legacy’.
“Carter is really talented. He can make threes and he can put his head on the rim,” said head coach Tommy Lloyd. “Those are great qualities to have for a young player.”
Red team starting five
Jaden Bradley, Caleb Love, KJ Lewis, Henri Veesar, and Emmanuel Stephen
Blue team starting five
Anthony Dell’Orso, Trey Townsend, Carter Bryant, Tobe Awaka, and Conrad Martinez.
Game Time
The night’s main event was the 20-minute scrimmage, where both teams showed off the impressive skills they’ve been practicing.
By halftime, the Blue team was leading 29-25. However, the Red team locked in defensively by grabbing seven defensive rebounds and forcing three steals in the second half to solidify the comeback.
A total of 19 assists highlighted the team chemistry that will be crucial for the Wildcats this season. The game was also marked by a high level of intensity, with a combined 24 personal fouls showing the competitive fire of both squads.
Looking ahead
As exciting as the First Watch Red-Blue Showcase event was, the season is just beginning for the Wildcats. Arizona basketball will host Eastern New Mexico University in an exhibition game on Oct. 21.
“We practice tomorrow,” said Lloyd, “I can’t wait.”