Caleb Holt scored 17 points in Arizona's 93-69 exhibition win over San Francisco on Tuesday. It was his first exhibition in a Wildcats uniform. He did not have to carry the offense by himself. Motiejus Krivas scored 20 and Ivan Kharchenkov added 18.
That distribution matters for a freshman joining a team ESPN placed fourth in its preseason ranking. Holt can affect a possession without being asked to finish every one. Arizona's official recap credits him with five rebounds, while the team had 18 assists and scored 25 points off turnovers. The first exhibition showed several ways the Wildcats can put him in useful situations. It did not settle the hierarchy of a full season.
Production came from several places
Krivas made six of seven shots from the floor. Kharchenkov added five rebounds and three assists. Derek Dixon scored 10, and Arizona's bench supplied 25 points. Those details give Holt's 17 a setting. A defender who pays attention only to the freshman still has to account for two established scorers and other contributors.
Holt's start also puts a basketball question in front of coach Tommy Lloyd. How often can Arizona create a chance for Holt in transition or a clean catch while Krivas and Kharchenkov hold the defense's attention? The Wildcats forced 19 San Francisco turnovers and recorded 12 steals. Arizona scored 25 points off those turnovers. It is an exhibition result against one opponent, so it cannot promise the same openings against Big 12 teams.
CBS Sports put the exhibition among its college basketball lead stories Wednesday, focusing on Holt's debut and Bryce James's start. Arizona has another exhibition against San Diego State on Friday. That game can test whether this scoring balance holds when the next opponent handles pressure differently.
