Arizona Women to Play Exhibition Game on October 22

The University of Arizona women's basketball team faces Embry-Riddle in a preseason matchup at the McKale Center.

Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Basketball

Arizona Women to Play Exhibition Game on October 22

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The University of Arizona women's basketball team is set to host an exhibition game against Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University on October 22, 2026. This preseason contest marks the first look at an overhauled roster for the Wildcats following their 2025-26 season.

Why it matters

The game provides a critical evaluation opportunity for a team undergoing significant turnover after finishing their previous conference season with a 3-15 record. With only two returning players, the Wildcats are integrating ten newcomers to establish chemistry ahead of regular-season play.

Arizona finished the 2025-26 campaign with a 12-18 overall record, while the visiting Embry-Riddle squad concluded their previous season at 9-17. The Wildcats are looking to improve after losing their final outing last season by a score of 54-51.

The players

University of Arizona

The institution is a public research university located in Tucson that competes in the Big 12 Conference.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

The university is a private institution that fields the Eagles athletic teams in the GSAC.

Kate McBride

She is a member of the Embry-Riddle roster who previously earned GSAC All-Conference honors.

Makenzie Alapai

She is an Embry-Riddle player who received the GSAC Freshman of the Year award.

The details

The Wildcats are entering the contest with a roster featuring five transfers and five incoming freshmen. In contrast, the Embry-Riddle Eagles arrive with a more experienced lineup comprised of 12 returning veterans and one new player.

The 2025-26 season concluded with a 12-18 overall record for Arizona.
The exhibition game between Arizona and Embry-Riddle takes place on October 22, 2026.

Season Trajectory

This game serves as the first competitive benchmark for a team looking to move past the 3-15 conference record established during the 2025-26 Big 12 Conference season. Successfully integrating ten new players is essential for the Wildcats to alter their competitive standing within the conference.

The game provides the first statistical baseline for how the five transfers and five freshmen will distribute playing time alongside the two returners. Supporters can monitor how the new rotation impacts the Wildcats' ability to execute compared to the offensive output seen in their 54-51 loss last season.

The takeaway

Preseason exhibitions are essential for programs with heavy roster turnover to develop cohesion before the regular season begins. Fans should watch the defensive coordination between the ten new players to gauge how quickly the team can adapt to high-level conference competition.