/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/52645483/usa_today_9791135.0.jpg)
On Saturday night, the Arizona Wildcats officially entered the second half of their season, playing game No. 17 of 32 against the Colorado Buffaloes in McKale Center.
Many had speculated that this meant the return of Allonzo Trier, who had not played in any games in the 2016-17 season, his sophomore year at Arizona.
But alas, he still did not play, as first announced on the radio.
Brian Jeffries on @SportsRadio1290: Allonzo Trier will not play tonight.
— Anthony Gimino (@AGWildcatReport) January 8, 2017
About two hours before tip, Arizona Daily Star photographer Kelly Presnell tweeted this out, which gave fans even more hope of a Trier return.
I was encouraged to shoot this photo of Allonzo Trier 2+ hours before tip and simply tweet: "Game shoes." pic.twitter.com/pDQohi6cpM
— Kelly Presnell (@KellyPresnell) January 8, 2017
It was a different routine for Trier on Saturday, as he worked out from 4-5 PM, but did not join the rest of the team for normal pregame shootaround about 70 minutes before tip like he normally does.
Trier averaged 14.8 points per game last year, and opted to return to Arizona instead of entering the NBA Draft. There has been much speculation about why he has not actually participated in a game this season, but the university has never officially commented on it due to privacy laws.
Arizona and Colorado will be shown on Pac-12 Networks Saturday night starting at 7:30 PM MT. The Wildcats are looking to open conference play 4-0, and improve to 15-2 overall.