It's already back again! It's hard to believe but the annual Red-Blue Game is back once again and the Wildcats will get a chance to debut the new look squad this afternoon. It is once again a sellout and there are some very good prospects already in their seats for this one.
Some news already today that I first told you about last night. Arizona will not have freshman forward Omar Thielemans for the Red-Blue Game and he is expected to have left the team although that part has not been confirmed by the school. UA is saying the Belgian newcomer is out of today's scrimmage for "personal reasons" but didn't comment beyond that.
The game will be broadcast on Pac-12 Network, but if you don't have that channel you can follow along here for updates.
Pre-scrimmage
* As always the player introductions and dunk contest will be first up here at the Red-Blue Game. This year's participants include Brandon Randolph, Brandon Williams, Devonaire Doutrive, Dylan Smith and Ira Lee. Randolph won the contest last year.
* Before the festivities get going, Sean Miller addresses the crowd and mentions when adversity hits you find out who your real supporters are and he mentions both Robert C. Robbins and Dave Heeke as two people who have remained in his corner throughout the last year.
He also says there will be a time when he can say more about what's been going on and how those two have helped him.
Miller also brings out his "body guard" from the UA security team who is working his last game today.
* Randolph came away with the best two dunks of the day and earned himself another Red-Blue Game dunk contest title.
Scrimmage
Here are the rosters for today's game
Red Team
Ryan Luther
Dylan Smith
Justin Coleman
Alec Spence
Ira Lee
Matt Weyand
Blue Team
Brandon Randolph
Emmanuel Akot
Chase Jeter
Brandon Williams
Kory Jones
Jake DesJardins
Alex Barcello
* A little bit sloppy as you could imagine as things get going here at the Red-Blue Game. Brandon Williams is playing on a team that features guys like Randolph, Emmanuel Akot and Alex Barcello plus Chase Jeter. Williams has certainly not been afraid to control things for that team.
The other team, the Red, has a lot of veterans on it with Justin Coleman, Ryan Luther and Dylan Smith on that team. There have been some things forced from that group but it's a lot of players who have not been together on the court in a competitive game much. One of the highlights was a breakaway dunk from freshman Devonaire Doutrive.
The Blue team has been in control for most of this game.
Halftime: Blue 21 Red 18
* A nice stretch for Ira Lee out of the half as he now leads all scorers with 12 points. Chase Jeter, meanwhile, has a game-high 10 rebounds for the Blue squad.
Brandon Williams really taking charge for his team. It will be interesting to see how he's used this year. He's at his best with the ball in his hand and if Arizona really wanted to turn him loose he can provide a ton of scoring, but Justin Coleman is clearly going to be the point guard for this team. Right now Williams looks like the most talented guy on the floor.
Ryan Luther goes through a nice stretch near the end to get the Red out in front as he gets a couple buckets including a deep 3-pointer. He has 10 points for his team now which is good enough for second-best overall in the game.
Devonaire Doutrive has a nice close to the game as he gets a breakaway dunk after a steal and ices the game for the Red squad.
Final: Red Team - 39 Blue Team - 33
Leading scorer: Ira Lee - 12 points (Red team)
Leading rebounder: Chase Jeter - 14 rebounds (Blue team)
Leading assists: Dylan Smith - 4 assists (Red team)
Some news already today that I first told you about last night. Arizona will not have freshman forward Omar Thielemans for the Red-Blue Game and he is expected to have left the team although that part has not been confirmed by the school. UA is saying the Belgian newcomer is out of today's scrimmage for "personal reasons" but didn't comment beyond that.
The game will be broadcast on Pac-12 Network, but if you don't have that channel you can follow along here for updates.
Pre-scrimmage
* As always the player introductions and dunk contest will be first up here at the Red-Blue Game. This year's participants include Brandon Randolph, Brandon Williams, Devonaire Doutrive, Dylan Smith and Ira Lee. Randolph won the contest last year.
* Before the festivities get going, Sean Miller addresses the crowd and mentions when adversity hits you find out who your real supporters are and he mentions both Robert C. Robbins and Dave Heeke as two people who have remained in his corner throughout the last year.
He also says there will be a time when he can say more about what's been going on and how those two have helped him.
Miller also brings out his "body guard" from the UA security team who is working his last game today.
* Randolph came away with the best two dunks of the day and earned himself another Red-Blue Game dunk contest title.
Scrimmage
Here are the rosters for today's game
Red Team
Ryan Luther
Dylan Smith
Justin Coleman
Alec Spence
Ira Lee
Matt Weyand
Blue Team
Brandon Randolph
Emmanuel Akot
Chase Jeter
Brandon Williams
Kory Jones
Jake DesJardins
Alex Barcello
* A little bit sloppy as you could imagine as things get going here at the Red-Blue Game. Brandon Williams is playing on a team that features guys like Randolph, Emmanuel Akot and Alex Barcello plus Chase Jeter. Williams has certainly not been afraid to control things for that team.
The other team, the Red, has a lot of veterans on it with Justin Coleman, Ryan Luther and Dylan Smith on that team. There have been some things forced from that group but it's a lot of players who have not been together on the court in a competitive game much. One of the highlights was a breakaway dunk from freshman Devonaire Doutrive.
The Blue team has been in control for most of this game.
Halftime: Blue 21 Red 18
* A nice stretch for Ira Lee out of the half as he now leads all scorers with 12 points. Chase Jeter, meanwhile, has a game-high 10 rebounds for the Blue squad.
Brandon Williams really taking charge for his team. It will be interesting to see how he's used this year. He's at his best with the ball in his hand and if Arizona really wanted to turn him loose he can provide a ton of scoring, but Justin Coleman is clearly going to be the point guard for this team. Right now Williams looks like the most talented guy on the floor.
Ryan Luther goes through a nice stretch near the end to get the Red out in front as he gets a couple buckets including a deep 3-pointer. He has 10 points for his team now which is good enough for second-best overall in the game.
Devonaire Doutrive has a nice close to the game as he gets a breakaway dunk after a steal and ices the game for the Red squad.
Final: Red Team - 39 Blue Team - 33
Leading scorer: Ira Lee - 12 points (Red team)
Leading rebounder: Chase Jeter - 14 rebounds (Blue team)
Leading assists: Dylan Smith - 4 assists (Red team)
