Kyryl Natyazhko News

San Diego State went on a 19-6 run in the final 12 minutes of the first half to take a 33-20 halftime lead over turnover-plagued Arizona at Viejas Arena.

At least this one lasted about 10 minutes. Unlike a lackluster loss at Oklahoma a week earlier that was decided in a matter of seconds, the Wildcats showed some life early on in their second true road game of the season, before stumbling with the ball and on the boards and losing 63-46 to San Diego State.

NORMAN, Okla. a ' Ninety-one seconds into Sunday's game at Oklahoma, Arizona coach Sean Miller called a timeout and made his first substitution.

There were still balls thrown away here and there. The defense had a few head-scratching moments.

Oklahoma freshman Tiny Gallon found himself with the ball on the low post Sunday night, and with a 35-pound weight advantage on the Arizona Wildcat guarding him.

Sean Miller said he was "not sure" what Nic Wise's injury was during the second overtime period, adding that it was probably exhaustion more than anything else that put him on the floor.

The historically charged Arizona-UNLV basketball series finished off another four-year run in fitting style Wednesday.

If Arizona's streak of 25 straight tournament appearances is to continue, they will need a big man to step up.

Horne and Lavender gonig hard on defense. AP Photo A week after suffering an 84-72 loss to Vanderbilt at the Maui Invitational, Arizona hosts undefeated UNLV tonight at 7 p.m. The game can be seen on Fox Sports Network.

G Nic Wise G Solomon Hill G Brendon Lavender F Jamelle Horne , F Derrick Williams UNLV G Tre'Von Willis G Oscar Bellfield G Derrick Jasper G/F Chace Stanback F/C Brice Massamba By the numbers 83Points per game UNLV has averaged in five wins this season.

Coach Sean Miller says the Wildcats need to be better on defense. A good example of that was when Nic Wise and Jamelle Horne teamed up on Vanderbilt's Andre Walker in the Maui Invitational on Wednesday.

Arizona's five freshmen weren't the only ones learning from the Maui Invitational experience.

The Maui Invitational record book will suggest Arizona had its worst effort in 2009.

Monday night's UA vs. Wisconsin men's basketball game ended past midnight Tucson time.

The past few years have been a rough ride for Arizona men's basketball fans. From the lackluster last few years of the Lute Olson era, to the disastrous scream-and-fuss Kevin O'Neal era, to the overmatched-but-has-a-heart Russ Pennell era, Arizona had become a program of reputation and some talent, but nowhere near the dominance of old.

G Nic Wise G Solomon Hill G Brendon Lavender F Jamelle Horne , F Derrick Williams Gonzaga G Demetri Goodson G Matt Bouldin G Steven Gray F Elias Harris C Robert Sacre 91Percentage of games UA has won when scoring 80 or more points, since the beginning of the 1997-98 season, counting its 87-70 win in the season opener.

The thing Nic Wise said he was looking forward to most this season is next, and the Maui Invitational's attractions are obvious: tropical weather, sandy beaches, strong competition and resume-building exposure via the ESPN networks.

The lasting image of Derrick Williams' first college start undoubtedly came with 16 minutes left in Thursday's game.

Sporting News' Mike DeCourcy analyzes what Thursday's buzz means to college basketball.

Doug Haller's blog appears on azcentral.com. He covers ASU basketball & the Pac-10 for The Arizona Republic.