Arizona Basketball

Social media reactions from Day 8 of Arizona’s 11-day trip to Lithuania

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ARIZONA’S ITINERARY

Wednesday – Game vs. Lithuania “B” team, final score: Arizona lost 99-88

Thursday – Game vs. Ukraine National Team, final score: Arizona won 107-85

Friday – Practice & Sightseeing in Kaunas

Saturday – Game vs. Lithuania National Team (9:30 a.m. MST – watch on YouTube)

Sunday – Travel day back to Tucson

Arizona answered Wednesday’s loss to the Lithuanian “B” team by playing efficiently in a 107-85 win Thursday over the Ukrainian senior national team at the Kedainiai Arena.

Sophomore forward Ivan Kharchenkov led the Wildcats with 24 points, 20 in the first half, while Lithuanian big man Ugnius Jarusevicius added 20 points.

Freshman guard Caleb Holt recorded a double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds, sophomore point guard Derek Dixon scored 18, and senior Motiejus Krivas contributed 16.

Washington transfer JJ Mandaquit (foot), Clemson transfer RJ Godfrey (NCAA eligibility status as a fifth-year player) and Mabil Mawut (visa issues) were not be available for the game. Mawut did not travel with the team.

Excerpt from Thursday’s blog written by Mandaquit:

“The last two days have been challenging for me as it relates to basketball. I have not been able to play as I continue to rehab my foot injury. On days like today when everyone is out there having fun, I miss being out on the court and being part of that more than anything. I am working with J-Rock (Athletic Trainer Justin Kokoskie) every day to make sure that we are doing all that we can to get my foot right. It’s a tedious process, but he is always there supporting me and encouraging me and that makes all the difference in the world. 

“Seeing how we responded to the adversity from yesterday made me proud to have ‘Arizona’ across my chest. Our coaches did a great job of helping us focus on the things that matter and encouraging us to have a ‘growth mindset’ to find ways to continue to get better.  

“Even if you go back to the first game against the Lithuania B team, it was so hard for me to sit on the bench and watch our guys go through that. I wanted to be out there and see if I could be the spark that go us going. But it wasn’t meant to be and I know that we have bigger things in mind this season, so I wanted to do all that I could to make sure I was part of that.”

Krivas’ playing time increased four minutes from the game against the Lithuanian B team to the win over Ukraine (11 minutes to 15).

He had five rebounds to go with his 16 points.

LeBron’s son can hoop. And he can start like he did against Ukraine.

Arizona was much better from beyond the arc, making 8 of 15 from there against Ukraine.

Kharchenkov walked off on his own power but his availability for Saturday is questionable.

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