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Arizona Basketball: Sights and Sounds of the Wildcats Red and Blue Game

By David Rosen

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The Arizona Wildcats Red and Blue was a success, with new and returning players showing off their skills in the fan favorite dunk contest and scrimmage game.

This is Arizona! The 2017-18 Arizona Wildcats basketball season officially got under way last night with the players displaying their individual and team skills. To start off the night was the electrifying dunk contest, followed by the red and blue scrimmage game. Players had the opportunity to have some fun, but at the same time prove to the coaching staff and teammates they will do whatever it takes to cut down the nets in March.

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Over the years there the annual tradition of giving fans a preview of what to expect has included some amazing dunks and plays by incredible talent. This year was no exception! The entire squad, from top to bottom, did not disappoint. All five incoming freshman showcased why they are the best of the best. Returnees such as Allonzo Trier picked up from where they left off last season and more! Including Rawle Alkins, even though he is currently injured showed up in style!

In addition to Wildcat fans taking in this experience, future commits were in attendance as well. Class of 2018 verbal commits Shareef O’Neal and Brandon Williams were there. Plus, other recruits were watching as well: Josh Green, Josh Christopher, Nico Mannion and Jason Harris. And let us not forget Shaq! He got a courtside view of all the action!

The evening got started with the Wildcats Red and Blue game video intro (which got me hyped!)

Player intro highlights

Allonzo Trier:

Rawle Alkins:

Then the fun began for the players and fans – the dunk contest! Taking part in this year’s contest was DeAndre Ayton, Ira Lee, Brandon Randolph, Alex Barcello and Keanu Pinder. The judges for the event were Athletic Director Dave Heeke, Wildcat women’s basketball coach Adia Barnes, Wilbur and Wilma and the Zona Zoo president.

In previous years there have been some high-flying acrobatic dunks, including one that involved a coach that raised the bar a few notches. This year, that bar was met and raised – oh boy was it raised!

Dunk contest highlights:

  • Ira “Leetime” Lee starting off the dunk contest with a post celebration that included him wearing Khalil Tate’s football jersey
  • Leetime doing it again, this time with the Dunk of the Night – jumping over two seven footers, Ayton and Chase Jeter – WOW!
  • Ayton doing a 360 spin while cradling the ball and slamming it home with some authority
  • Barcello from the baseline, off the backboard and throwing it down with authority!

https://twitter.com/sciguyrosen/status/921602388179410944

  • Randolph with two dunks that were just on another level, which won him the dunk contest!
  • First one, he grabbed the ball from a student manager’s head and then went between the legs for the finish.

https://twitter.com/sciguyrosen/status/921619235154960384

  • His second one included help from Trier, who threw the ball of the glass and Randolph caught it and ABSOLUTELY CRUSHED it with a windmill dunk, yikes!

Enjoy the entire dunk contest:

Red and blue scrimmage game

After the dunk contest wrapped up, the red and blue scrimmage game followed. The amount of depth the Wildcat roster has this year was on full display.  Each team’s starting five could possibly be the starting five for any real team in the country – that’s scary to think about! Playing time will be limited for some this year, but this scrimmage game gave each player the opportunity to prove their case to Coach Sean Miller and his staff why they deserve to be out there.

Before the game started, Coach Miller announced to the crowd that depending on where you sat, half would cheer for the red team and half for the blue team. Certain sections in McKale were given a “fan choice” option. I chose to cheer for both sides because I love my Wildcats!

The blue team won the game over the red team 55-37, here are some of the highlights, with Ayton leading the way with 21 points and nine rebounds.

Highlights of the game

  • Ayton just dominated. At his size, to do what he does is just unthinkable. Won’t be the first or last time this is said about him, but Ayton is just a BEAST. It seems as if at any given time he can just take over the game.
  • Randolph lead the way for the red team with 16 points and two rebounds
  • Lee showed off his leaping abilities at the end of the game with this left-handed “Thor” like HAMMER

https://twitter.com/sciguyrosen/status/921584723897368576

  • Trier meant business! Continuing where left off last season, he showed why he is one the leaders on the team. Getting other involved, while at the same type being aggressive to the rim and finding ways to get the basket – the ZO way! He finished the game with 15 points and three rebounds.
  • Like Trier, Parker Jackson Cartwright and Dusan Ristic each played their role like true leaders. PJC was tenacious on both ends of the floor, while Ristic footwork and touch from the inside and out was on point last night.
  • Standout of the night was redshirt transfer Jeter. Even though he won’t be playing this season, that didn’t stop him! He played solid defense against Ayton, which is no easy task and on the offensive end, his footwork and awareness around the rim looked solid. The future is looking good!

Relive all the exciting moments of the game:

After the game ended, Miller was asked about how he prepares his freshman for the red and blue game:

"Encourage the team to play like you practice. Tonight is a great test for our guys. You would be surprised how excited and nervous are freshman are for the red blue game. Biggest crowd in many times they have every played in front of. Gets them used to the big stage environment."

Must Read: More on Arizona basketball

Dunks, three points, jump shots, assists, blocks, and steals, this year’s red and blue game had it all! Zona Zealots cannot wait to see what this season brings. Bear Down!

Next up for the Wildcats:

Who: Exhibition game against Eastern New Mexico

Where: McKale Center

When: Nov 1st at 7 pm Tucson time on the Pac-12 network

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