Arizona Wildcats drop first game of tour to Lithuania ‘B’ national team

Arizona fell 99-88 to the Lithuanian “B” national team on Wednesday in the first game of the Wildcats’ Lithuanian tour.

Playing against a team comprised of mostly professionals from European domestic leagues, the Wildcats looked like a team still learning Tommy Lloyd’s system, as Arizona returns just two rotational players from last year’s Final Four unit.

The Wildcats trailed by 17 at the half but were never able to get closer than eight, after trimming the deficit twice to that figure midway through the third and fourth quarters.

Arizona struggled to rebound the basketball and hit from deep in Wednesday’s loss. The Wildcats were outrebounded 49-31 and shot 3 of 18 (16%) from deep. The Wildcats started 0 of 12 from 3 and did not hit from beyond the arc until freshman guard Caleb Holt’s triple with 6:24 remaining.

Defensively, Arizona had difficulties breaking down Lithuania’s 5-out offense filled with ball movement and spacing. The Lithuania “B” team shot 11 of 22 (50%) from 3 and had 28 assists on 32 made field goals.

Arizona started North Carolina transfer Derek Dixon, Holt, freshman Cameron Holmes, Ivan Kharchenkov and Motiejus Krivas. The 7-foot-2 returning Lithuanian was limited to just 11 minutes as he continues his ramp up after having his foot scoped earlier this offseason. He finished with 10 points, two assists and two steals, but uncharacteristically went without any rebounds or blocks.

The Wildcats were without Washington transfer JJ Mandaquit (foot), new signee RJ Godfrey and Mabil Mawut, who were all ruled unavailable, the team announced about a half hour before the game tipped.

Godfrey did not suit up as his eligibility is still being reportedly finalized, according to 247 Sports’ Jason Scheer, while Mawut had a visa issue, according to Tucson.com’s Bruce Pascoe.

Kharchenkov was arguably Arizona’s best player in the exhibition. With Godfrey sidelined, Kharchenkov started at power forward and demonstrated his “German-Army Knife” type of skillset.

In addition to being Arizona’s best defender, he led the Wildcats with 25 points (in 27 minutes) and flashed his ability to get to the rim and facilitate.

more of this.

Kharchenkov/Krivas 2-Man Game vs Lithuania

-Krivas first sets a flex screen for Kharchenkov to clear out to the left side
– Side PnR action.
– Kharchenkov threads the needle in traffic to a rolling Krivas
– Draws the foul. Hits both FTs.

so far vs Lithuania,… pic.twitter.com/K2A2budkIm

— Paige (@paigeotto_) August 19, 2026

Holt, the No. 2 recruit in the country, struggled to find his shot and showed some first-game jitters. The five-star freshman looked rushed, as he started 1 of 10 from the field and 0 of 4 at the line. He finished with 13 points on 5 of 16 shooting (31.3%), but despite the tough shooting night, he added five assists, six rebounds and four steals, showcasing his versatility as a playmaker and defender.

Holmes, a Valley native from Goodyear Millennium High School, impressed in his first game in a Wildcats uniform. He finished with seven points and six rebounds in 29 minutes and looked composed throughout the contest.

hoop and the harm for holmes pic.twitter.com/n9MB4FNuTx

— Arizona Basketball (@ArizonaMBB) August 19, 2026

How to watch the Arizona Wildcats games in Lithuania 

The Wildcats will return to action on Thursday against the Ukraine Senior National Team. All games will be streamed live on YouTube.

Thursday, Aug. 20: vs. Ukraine Senior National Team (Kėdainiai) – 7 a.m. MST
Saturday, Aug. 22: vs. Lithuania Senior National Team (Alytus) – 9:30 a.m. MST

Related

Arizona men’s basketball kicks off Lithuania summer tour with cultural ties, new rosterArizona freshman Cameron Holmes making his mark wherever Wildcats need himRJ Godfrey signs with Arizona, expected to be Wildcats’ starting power forwardCourt rulings grant NCAA athletes from high school class of 2022 another year of eligibilityArizona Wildcats announce 2026-27 men’s basketball nonconference scheduleArizona’s Tommy Lloyd not interested in NBA after UNC interest