With three freshmen leading the way and eight newcomers overall, the Arizona Wildcats were bound to run into a little adversity at some point early this season.
Like maybe on Nov. 10 against Illinois. Or in the Wooden Legacy over Thanksgiving week. Or, almost certainly, in December against either Baylor and Gonzaga, or both.
But South Dakota State, at home on a random weekday night at McKale Center?
It happened Thursday, in a 71-64 Arizona win. With leading scorer Zeke Nnaji effectively neutralized early, the Wildcats trailed the Jackrabbits of the Summit League by up to 10 points in the first half – the biggest deficit it has faced all season – and UA never could expand its lead past 11 points.