No. 5 Arizona loses season opener to UCLA, first in 20 years
The gist
No. 5 Arizona lost its opener to UCLA 84-75 in Las Vegas, its first season-opening defeat in 20 years.
The Wildcats had reached last spring's Final Four, so early expectations now face a test.
How it unfolded
- Oct 13, 2026Motiejus Krivas scored the most points in Arizona's exhibition game against San Francisco at McKale Center.
- Oct 16, 2026Arizona beat San Francisco 93-69 in the first of three exhibition matchups.
- Oct 21, 2026Coach Tommy Lloyd publicly aired frustration over RJ Godfrey's eligibility limbo, saying a Georgia court's answer would help.
Key terms
- Final Four
- Describes a college basketball team suited to the single-elimination NCAA tournament played mostly in March.
- eligibility limbo
- The rules determining whether a student athlete may compete in NCAA college sports.
- Division II
- The intermediate-level division of competition in the NCAA, between Division I and Division III.
Source: Wikipedia