Relax!
Yes, Arizona did play poorly under tough conditions in Wisconsin on Friday night, losing 103-88 to the Badgers.
But what is won – or lost – in November in college basketball … nothing.
I’ve seen Arizona succeed like no other school in November and December through the years – many years – and what did it all mean?
Not.A.Damn.Thing.
Just go back a year when Arizona defeated Duke on the road in an early-season game. All it did was raise expectations to unrealistic levels for the rest of the season.
It gave Arizona fans high hopes of their first Final Four in 23 years. Well, how did that go?
So, relax. It’s never as bad as it looks, and clearly never as good. I’ll say this now, however, Arizona will beat Duke next week in McKale Center. And what will it all mean?
Not.A.Damn.Thing.
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Arizona will be alright, if finishing fourth or fifth in the Big 12 is alright. But that’s what the projection was – with a chance to get to the Final Four.
Nothing has changed. Surely, not one night in Wisconsin has moved the needle there. It happens. Clearly, playing teams like Canisius and Old Dominion don’t help move any needle.
Playing Wisconsin on the road does.
“We’re going to be a good team. I’m not worried about that,” Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd told reporters in Wisconsin. “This was just a great opportunity on the road to challenge ourselves. We’ve been comfortable. We’ve been practicing against each other. We’ve been playing games, exhibition games, games at McKale. We (have) got a hell of a home court advantage. And we’ve been comfortable.”
As is usually the case or has been for years in November and December. This preseason and the rest of the way will be different, given the schedule.
But wouldn’t you rather have it that way?
“We had to get outside of that to figure out who we are,” Lloyd said. “And you know, I’m not interested in going undefeated, not at all. Our program’s ready to take the next step and I’m ready to lead the charge. And we got to coach better. We got to play better. And, and that’s something … we’re going to go back, take a breath, get home, and, and we’re excited for the opportunity we got next week.”
Here’s the biggest issues: How did Arizona give up 103 points? And wasn’t this supposed to be a solid defense, with all the right people in the right spots?
UA’s KJ Lewis chalked it up to “miscommunication.”
“Lack of knowing where your man’s at,” he said. “But it’s only the third game of the year and that’s what film is for, so just going to take it and get better.”
UA has no choice.
The other concern is how senior leader Caleb Love handled the moment. He had a technical, scored just six points and eventually fouled out. Arizona needs him to be in the game: mentally and physically.
Lloyd said Love “can’t put him in position where he gets a technical foul … (But) Caleb’s gonna be fine. I love that kid with all my heart. I love how he’s been able to deal with adversity and struggle. That kid has done more with adversity and struggle than most of all of us have done in our lives combined, so, I’m all in on that kid. And you know what? He’s going to have a great year and he’s the guy I want to lead in my program.”
No time like Friday night … in a big game in November.
