Arizona Men to Host Eastern Washington Exhibition

The No. 5 ranked Wildcats take on Eastern Washington at the McKale Center this Wednesday.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Basketball

Arizona Men to Host Eastern Washington Exhibition

Live Poll

Do you plan to attend local college basketball games this season?

The University of Arizona men's basketball team faces Eastern Washington University in an exhibition match on October 23. This contest marks the team's latest preparation ahead of the regular season.

Why it matters

The game provides a final opportunity for the No. 5 ranked Wildcats to test their lineup before official competition begins. It also offers a chance for the team to maintain momentum following previous exhibition victories.

Arizona enters the matchup with a 2-0 all-time record against Eastern Washington, including a 70-67 win during the 2020-21 season. In recent action, Motiejus Krivas recorded 17 points and 15 rebounds against San Diego State.

The players

University of Arizona

The institution is a public research university in Tucson that maintains a highly competitive NCAA Division I men's basketball program.

Eastern Washington University

This public university located in Cheney, Washington, competes in the Big Sky Conference and frequently faces high-major programs in non-conference play.

Motiejus Krivas

He is a key player for the Arizona men's basketball team who recently posted a double-double against San Diego State.

The details

The Wildcats arrive at this exhibition after securing wins against both the University of San Francisco and San Diego State University. Eastern Washington comes to Tucson following a 71-65 victory over California State University Bakersfield on October 18.

The exhibition game is scheduled for October 23.
Eastern Washington defeated Cal State Bakersfield on October 18, 2026.
The first meeting between the teams occurred during the 2004-05 season.
The last meeting between the schools took place in 2020-21.

Season Trajectory

This exhibition serves as a critical calibration point for Arizona as they attempt to validate their high preseason ranking against varied competition. The game helps establish the Wildcats' rotation depth before the team begins high-stakes conference play later this year.

Fans should monitor the minutes played by Motiejus Krivas and Caleb Holt, as these exhibition stats serve as indicators for their potential impact in the regular season rotation. The game will be held at the McKale Center at ALKEME Arena.

The takeaway

Preseason exhibitions are essential tools for coaching staffs to evaluate depth and chemistry against different tactical styles. Staying informed on these early performances helps supporters better anticipate the team's strategic strengths as the season progresses.