The Arizona Wildcats come into Cameron as the favorites to take the Pac-12 title and a lot of buzz this season. The two teams announced a home-and-home series in July of 2022, with Friday night serving as the first of two matchups — Duke travels to Tucson on Nov. 21, 2024.Arizona was 28-7 overall last season, including a 14-6 record in Pac-12 play. Both the Wildcats and the Blue Devils won their conference tournament titles this past season.
Four Wildcats are featured on the preseason All Pac-12 Team, including first-team selection Oumar Ballo — who was named a preseason All-American by Blue Ribbon Magazine. Arizona boasts a starting lineup that includes 3 seniors one of which Duke will know well in Caleb Love, the transfer from North Carolina. The Wildcats bring back 7 footer Oumar Ballo who averaged 14.2 points and 8.6 rebounds from last year’s team as well as Pelle Larsson who added 9.9 points and 4.2 assists on last seasons squad. In addition to Caleb Love, the Wildcats also added Keshad Johnson, a transfer forward from San Diego State who averaged 7.7 points a game last season. Sophomore Kylan Boswell rounds out the starting lineup for Arizona, the 6’2 guard averaged 4.6 points per game as a freshman but is looking to expand his role as the starting point guard this season.
Last time out the Wildcats overwhelmed Morgan State 122-59. 8 players scored in double figures in the route and the Wildcats shot 12-27 from beyond the arc for 44%. Kylan Boswell led Arizona in scoring with 18 points, going 4-6 from beyond the arc.
The Blue Devils return a huge chunk of last year’s production in sophomores Kyle Filipowski, Tyrese Proctor and Mark Mitchell. All 3 were starters last season. Duke also returned seniors Jeremy Roach and Ryan Young who were significant pieces to last year’s run to the ACC Tournament title. Duke also adds a heralded freshman class that includes guards Caleb Foster and Jared McCain and forwards TJ Power and Sean Stewart.
Duke is coming off a 92-54 win over Dartmouth in its season opener. The Blue Devils moved to 92-27 all-time in the first game of a season and have won 23 consecutive such games. Kyle Filipowski (right) was Duke’s leading scorer against the Big Green, putting up 25 points on 10-of-12 (.833) shooting from the field. He became the 22nd Blue Devil to score at least 25 points in a season opener and his shooting percentage is fourth-best by a Blue Devil that attempted at least 10 shots in a season-opening game. Filipowski was joined by teammates Caleb Foster, Jeremy Roach and Jaylen Blakes in double-figures — as they scored 15, 14 and 10, respectively.
Up in the air is the status of sophomore forward Mark Mitchell who missed the season opener with an ankle injury. Coach Scheyer noted that Mitchell was day-to-day but all indications are that the 6’8 forward will suit up and be available for the Friday night’s game.
Thoughts
The Wildcats are a team with a lot of firepower and can beat you in a number of ways. While the Blue Devils will need to contain Arizona’s 3-point shooters they cannot forgot about Ballo and the damage be can do in the paint in terms of points and rebounds. The Blue Devils did not rebound the ball very well in their last game against Dartmouth and it will be one aspect to keep an eye on. Defending without fouling will also be a point of emphasis for the Blue Devils. Arizona is very adept at putting pressure on opposing guards – Caleb Love and Kylan Boswell are both good drivers of the basketball and Love in particular is good at absorbing contact while still getting a good shot off. If the Blue Devils aren’t disciplined this game could very easily get away from them on the defensive end.
Offensively, the Blue Devils should also be able to put pressure on the Wildcats. Duke has a plethora of guards that can attack in different ways – each guard brings a very unique skillset. If the Blue Devils continue as they did in their last outing and move the ball effectively they should be able to get open looks. There are a few interesting matchup to watch for including Kyle Filipowski going against 7’0, 260lb Oumar Ballo and 6’3 Jared McCain possibly guarding the 6’6 Pelle Larssson. The Wildcats definitely have the edge in experience but the Blue Devils seemingly the edge in talent – it will be the team that meshes the best in this early season matchup that will win the day.
