Long Beach St. @ Arizona preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 29, 2017 ) Long Beach St. 56, Arizona 91

Arizona was severely challenged for the first time this season on Thursday and looks to use the knowledge gained to make the next one easier as the 14th-ranked Wildcats host Long Beach State on Sunday night. Arizona trailed by five almost five minutes into the second half before catching and passing South Dakota State for a 71-64 victory Thursday after winning the first four games by an average of 34.5 points.

“We don’t want to have a loss to wake us up,” Wildcats 6-10 senior center Chase Jeter told reporters after the win. “Coming out and having to battle against a team like South Dakota State just lets us know that every team is going to compete, we have to be ready for every opponent and treat every game the same.” Arizona has been led by 6-11 freshman forward Zeke Nnaji, who is averaging 19.2 points on a nation-best 84.1 percent shooting, but the Wildcats were held to 43.4 percent from the field Thursday while making just 3-of-17 of their 3-point attempts. “A lot of good things we can take from this game, but just because we can take it doesn’t mean it’s going to happen,” Arizona coach Sean Miller told reporters. “We now have to make sure that it’s very clear on our roles, and shots and how we want to play, and I think you’ll see a much smarter team the next game.” Long Beach State, which has already lost to Pac-12 members UCLA (69-65) and Stanford (86-58), knocked off Division II opponent Fresno Pacific 93-62 on Friday for its second victory.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, Pac-12 Network

ABOUT LONG BEACH STATE (2-3): Sophomore guard Chance Hunter matched a season high by scoring 21 to lead the way Friday and tops the team in points per game (15.8) while connecting on 11 of his 15 shots from behind the arc. Sophomore guard Michael Carter III is the only other player averaging in double figures scoring (12.0) for the Beach and he dished out a season-best six assists in Friday’s win. Junior guard Colin Slater (9.2 points) is also contributing, but is shooting just 37.2 percent from the field, and senior guard Jordan Griffin (6.6 points) has drained 6-of-14 from beyond the arc.

ABOUT ARIZONA (5-0): Nnaji is also hauling in six rebounds along with one block per game and Miller told reporters: “Zeke Nnaji has proven that when he gets the ball, especially around the rim, great things happen.” Guard Nico Mannion is the second of three freshmen leading the Wildcats in scoring (13.4) and the 6-3 guard tops the team in assists (4.4) while 6-6 guard Josh Green caps the trio at 12 points per contest and had 20 versus Illinois on Nov. 10. Jeter leads the way in rebounding (6.4) and sophomore guard Jemarl Baker Jr. averages 8.2 points, including a season-best 16 versus New Mexico State on Nov. 17.

TIP-INS

1. Arizona sophomore G Devonaire Doutrive (6.3 points) was dismissed from the team Friday for the violation of unspecified team rules.

2. The Beach, who were picked sixth out of nine in the Big West preseason poll, are averaging 16.8 turnovers per contest.

3. The Wildcats have won all seven previous meetings - the last coming in 2017 when Arizona earned a 91-56 victory.

PREDICTION: Arizona 88, Long Beach State 62