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Allonzo Trier suffered a mild knee sprain against North Dakota State Monday and was questionable for Thursday night. Trier played after all, wearing a sleeve over his left knee.

Trier removed the sleeve after going 2 of 5 for six points in the first half. He looked more comfortable in the second half, and finished the game with 15 points on 5 of 11 shooting. Trier and the Wildcats will get a full week of rest and rehab before their Dec. 30 Pac-12 opener against ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ State. The game is already sold out.

Bill Walton is WILD 😂😂

— Barstool ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ (@UofABarstool)

Bill Walton is no stranger to saying outlandish things on a TV broadcast. Thursday was no different.

During the game, Walton pulled out a piece of art that is familiar in the Old Pueblo, a cactus rib that still had the roots attached to it.

“This is a sacred piece of art,� Walton said.

What will Walton do next time?

Thursday’s game brought out the in-state celebrities. ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver sat next to each other courtside, directly across from the Wildcats’ bench.

Sarver is a ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ native and a graduate of both Sabino High School and the UA. Fitzgerald attended Pitt, but is a familiar face everywhere he goes in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥. His 1,217 career catches rank third in NFL history.

Reggie Geary, who led ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ to two Pac-10 championships and an appearance in the 1994 Final Four, attended the game with his family. Cleveland Indians manager and UA legend Terry Francona sat in his usual courtside seat.

I can only imagine what's going through that girl's mind in the first row. Walton called this cactus root "a sacred piece of art." You can't make this stuff up...

— Dominic Baciocco (@DominicBaciocco)

“I have a lot in common with the saguaro. Neither of us can move laterally.� — Bill Walton (see, we told you he loves saguaros)

Another ex-Wildcat that received a colossal applause from ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ fans was Herman Harris.

Harris played his last game at ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ 40 years ago in 1977 and last week, he finally received his college diploma from the UA. He's not the first one that comes to mind when discussing successful ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ basketball players, but there's more to life than putting a ball through a basket.  

SANTA!!!!!!!!!!! 🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�🎅�

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster)

Thursday night marked the UA’s final game before Christmas, so McKale Center was decked out in holiday attire. Moments before tipoff, Santa Claus — fake or real, up to you — walked around the arena holding up the block A.

The security guard who normally escorts the Wildcats to the floor channeled his inner St. Nick as well. He wore a Santa hat to match his white beard. While the real Santa wears a red suit, the security guard opted for his usual garb.

“I have a lot in common with the saguaro. Neither of us can move laterally.� — You know who

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Thursday marked the first time ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ knocked off UConn. The Huskies had won five consecutive matchups — including the 2011 Elite Eight.