Monday, November 24th, 5:45 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Stegeman Coliseum (10,523) -- Athens, Georgia. Television: None. Home Record: MVSU 0-0, Arizona 1-1. Away Record: MVSU 0-4, Arizona 0-0. Neutral Record: MVSU 0-1, Arizona 0-0. Conference Record: MVSU 0-0, Arizona 0-0. Series Record: First-ever meeting.

GAME NOTES: The Arizona Wildcats and Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils meet for the first-ever time this evening, as they do battle in the consolation bracket of the NIT Season Tip-Off. Despite having had the luxury of hosting one of the regionals of this tournament, Arizona was unable to advance to the winner's bracket. The Wildcats opened their season and this event with a 75-62 win over Florida Atlantic before dropping a 72-71 heart- breaker to UAB on Tuesday. Arizona, which is under the guidance of first-year head coach Russ Pennell, has been out of action since the loss to UAB. As for MVSU, it has yet to find its way into the win column, losing all five of its prior outings. The team was last in action on Thursday, when it suffered an 82-65 loss at Montana. The Delta Devils found their way in the loser's bracket of this event with losses to Oklahoma (94-53) and James Madison (62-54) in the regionals.

The Devils shot just 37.7 percent from the floor, while allowing Montana to hit on 54.0 percent of its field goals in an 82-65 loss on Thursday. MVSU also committed 15 turnovers which resulted in 22 points for Montana. Eric Petty notched a double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Devils, while Shannon Behling also finished with 18 points. Dwayne Harmason contributed 17 points and Tashan Newsome had off the bench in the loss. On the season, Behling paces the team in scoring with 14.8 ppg and Harmason is second with 10.0 ppg. As a team however, MVSU is averaging just 52.2 ppg on the season.

Paul Delaney III made one of two free throws with a second left, sending Arizona to a tough 72-71 loss to UAB last week. The Wildcats led by as many as 14 points in the second half before UAB came storming back. With the game tied at 71-71, Nic Wise missed a jumper for Arizona in the closing seconds, but Jamelle Horne was called for an intentional reaching foul on the long rebound, setting up Delaney III and UAB for the win. Arizona held a 47-29 advantage on the boards in the game, but they made just four three pointers compared to 13 by UAB. Chase Budinger paced the Wildcats in defeat with 27 points and six boards. It was another terrific effort by Budinger, who scored 21 points in the opener. Wise finished last game with 14 points and nine assists, while Jordan Hill notched his second straight double-double with 13 points and an incredible 22 rebounds. In the opener, Wise had 19 points and nine assists and Hill logged 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Arizona is clearly the choice here, as it is the far better team from top to bottom.

Predicted Outcome

Arizona 80, Mississippi Valley State 59