Arizona Basketball is navigating a challenging stretch with some key players sidelined. Freshman forward Koa Peat is nursing a muscle strain in his lower leg and will be re-evaluated next week.
Meanwhile, Dwayne Aristode is out due to illness for the upcoming clash against BYU. These absences come as Arizona looks to rebound from two consecutive losses after an impressive 23-game winning streak.
In their recent game against Texas Tech, head coach Tommy Lloyd leaned heavily on a six-man rotation in the second half. Tobe Awaka stepped in for Peat, while Anthony Dell'Orso contributed three points in 11 minutes off the bench. Reserve center Sidi Gueye, despite limited offensive polish, adds significant defensive presence with his 6'11" frame and leads the team in blocks per 40 minutes.
Evan Nelson, known for his sharp shooting and experience from his Harvard days, could see increased minutes with both Peat and Aristode unavailable. Nelson's ability to score and facilitate could be crucial as Arizona adjusts its lineup. Coach Lloyd also expressed intentions to utilize Dell'Orso more, hinting at a potential increase in his playing time against BYU.
As Arizona recalibrates, they'll face a BYU team dealing with its own setbacks, including the loss of starting guard Richie Saunders to an ACL injury. With both teams adapting to new rotations, the matchup promises to be an intriguing test of depth and resilience.