That’ll Do for Arizona

Arizona did a good job of stopping Mississippi State’s Lawrence Roberts on Sunday.

The only problem was, the 21st-ranked Wildcats almost stopped themselves as well before holding on for a 68-64 victory over the 15th-ranked Bulldogs in the John R. Wooden Classic at the Arrowhead Pond.

It was an exhibition of Arizona’s considerable potential, and its confounding lapses.

The Wildcats (5-2) led by as many as 14 points in the second half but had to rely on crucial blocked shots by Channing Frye and Hassan Adams and a Mississippi State turnover in the final minute to hold off the Bulldogs (6-2).

Arizona committed 19 turnovers and didn’t have a field goal in the final six minutes, and the Wildcats couldn’t breathe easily until Frye made two free throws for a four-point lead with four seconds left after Gary Ervin’s pass for Roberts on the other end skittered out of bounds.

“I guess we kept the crowd entertained,” Arizona Coach Lute Olson said.

Frye finished with 18 points and 16 rebounds.

Winsome Frazier, who made three consecutive three-pointers in the first two minutes and returned to the game despite suffering a gash above his eye in a collision with Isaiah Fox, led Mississippi State with 18 points.

Roberts considered transferring to Arizona before he chose Mississippi State in 2003 after he left Baylor in the wake of Patrick Dennehy’s slaying.

He became one of the success stories of last season, finishing as one of five finalists for the Wooden Award as national player of the year.

But against the Arizona players who could have been his teammates, he was limited to seven points by a double-teaming defense, making only three of 10 shots and finishing with seven rebounds.

For much of the game, he looked lost, seemingly uncomfortable in the facemask he has worn since breaking his nose before the season, and thwarted by Arizona’s defense.

“Early in the game, we just tried to be physical with him and double him a couple of times. I think it did take away his aggressiveness,” said Fox, who teamed with Frye to keep Roberts in check after making his first start of the season in place of Ivan Radenovic, who didn’t play because of a hip pointer.

Mississippi State Coach Rick Stansbury said Roberts is “not at his best,” but gave credit to Arizona’s defense.

Stansbury’s biggest frustration was over a decision that the shot clock should not be reset after a flurry with 32 seconds left.

With Mississippi State trailing by one, Adams seemingly stole the ball as Mississippi State tried to score, only to have Ervin swipe it back and have his shot blocked by Frye out of bounds.

The officials ruled there was no change of possession and set the shot clock at three seconds.

“I got outvoted, 4-0,” Stansbury said of the conference with three officials and Olson.

Shane Power drove the lane in a quick attempt to score, but Adams swatted away his shot, leaving Mississippi State to resort to fouling down the stretch.

Adams’ block was just one example of the eye-popping plays he made -- including an alley-oop dunk on a pass from Mustafa Shakur -- that illustrated Arizona’s ability.

“I can’t imagine anybody being more athletic than this team is at so many positions,” Stansbury said of the Wildcats.

Olson still has concerns.

“We made some mistakes good teams shouldn’t make,” Olson said.