Is this the game that makes Arizona?
Wakes Arizona?
Is it THE game that propels them forward?
We’ll see. But it clearly beats the alternative moving forward after it defeated Kansas 88-77
In Kansas City in the Big 12 Tournament.
Thursday night, Arizona was rewarded for its patience and productivity, getting a nice lead early – then losing that lead – then coming on strong at the end.
Arizona outscored Kansas 12-3 late, including 18-8 in the final minutes. The productivity?
UA hit nine of its last 11 shots.
Call it the book ends to book themselves into the semifinals of the Big 12 tournament. Now UA faces Texas Tech on Friday night.
Arizona’s win – arguably its best if not one of the best – had them playing well in the backcourt and the frontcourt, behind KJ Lewis and Henri Veesaar respectively.
“I’m proud of our guys overall,” UA coach Tommy Lloyd said. “It’s a resilient group.”
Lloyd called the last few days “tough” given UA had played KU close in Lawrence, Kansas, but came away short – and with many doubting just how good it is. That’s been the case all season after a loss.
“We’re here for it,” Lloyd said.
Thursday, Lloyd said the team had “better decisions” compared to Saturday. And it proved to be a much better well-meshed team.
Thursday, it was about “fundamentals and IQ,” he said. “It’s a game changer for us.”
Thursday, he said the team settled in nicely. Even Caleb Love did, playing his best quiet game of the season. He finished with 11 points, going 4 for 9 from the floor but adding six assists.
But it was Lewis, who had been inconsistent the last few weeks perhaps because of an injured wrist. He was aggressive and persistent in the second half, needling the Jayhawks consistently. He had 19 points, hitting 6 of 11 shots. He had three assists and four steals.
Lloyd said if Arizona can make aggressive moves, “It’s a game changer for us.”
The two helped Arizona’s bench contribute for 45 of Arizona’s 88 points, with Veesaar scoring 19, Lewis getting his 19 and Carter Bryant adding seven. The starting five added the other 43, with Trey Townsend adding 16.
Maybe it was Lloyd shaking up the starting lineup again, moving Townsend back to the starting spot and moving Veesaar back. Both were fine with the move.
“I just thought it was the right move,” Lloyd said. “Trey had been trending in the right direction.”
More importantly, Lloyd said he has a team of “great guys that understand that it takes a group and more than just five guys.”
With Arizona moving on, you’d think they have enough to solidify a No. 5 seed in the NCAA tournament, maybe even a No. 4 seed – depending on what happens with other teams.
After all, Texas Tech is a projected No. 2 seed and this year Arizona is 1-1 against the Red Raiders. The margin of closeness between the two teams is thin but so is Arizona’s margin for error.
