Embry Riddle me this: How will Tommy Lloyd use Monday’s night rewind to see the positives and negatives from a 113-42 win at McKale Center?
The good news is he can feel good that everyone had a chance to play in the game, including seeing the bench – including Jackson Francois hit a 3-pointer to get in the box score. Every player but one scored.
“We practice almost every day. So, these guys really contribute to our program in a lot of ways,” Tommy Lloyd said of his bench. “I’m glad they got to get out in front of the crowd and wear the Arizona jersey and McKale is pretty special.
Then came the critique. Arizona didn’t start well against the visitors so he will keep his eye on the first 10 minutes or so.
“They made four 3s before the first media time out, they end up with six (total),” he said. “I think that’s a great lesson for our guys in two ways. One, you’ve got to come out from the tip ready to execute your plan and ease into a game.
(And) two, teams sometimes make early 3s. Don’t panic, adjust, and I think they made two the rest of the game. I didn’t feel like they had a lot of great looks after those first couple. We’ll look at it from that lens.”
Other than that – Arizona was just much – much, much? – better than Div. II Embry Riddle. It was over when the game was scheduled.
My biggest concern has been – and will be – who will be the outside shooting presence Arizona will need against the much better teams like, um, Florida next week in the season opener. Arizona went 4 for 13 beyond the 3-point line on Monday and last week went 4 for 16. It’s a small sample size to be sure, but …
Who will be the guy? Or guys?
“Delly’s a pretty good shooter, right? Brayden’s (Burries) a good shooter, right?,” he said, almost offended by the question. “I think JB (Jaden Bradley) has made some 3s in his life. It may not be a strength, but he’s done it. I think Ivan (Kharchenko) is capable of making 3s. I think Dwayne (Aristode) will make his 3s. I feel like with shooting, we’re going to be fine.”
Then, Lloyd said the game isn’t all about 3s.
“I’ve always told you guys (media), we’re not trying to build a team here that shoots 30 or 40 3s a game,” he said. “I would like to shoot 33 free throws every game. To me, there’s a trade off in this stuff. It all comes down to your values and what you value. I like 3s. I have no problem with them, but I love free throws. I love layups.”
Arizona, a team that can get to the basket with the best of them given they attack the basket, had plenty on Monday against an undersized Embry Riddle. UA had 68 points in the paint. Arizona shot 39 of 54 from the floor (not involving 3s). It went 23 of 33 from the free throw line.
