Motiejus Krivas isn’t just anchoring Arizona’s defense - he’s redefining what it means to be a game-changing big man at the college level.
According to ESPN analytics, Krivas currently leads the nation in defensive net points with a staggering +70.2 rating - a full 10.8 points ahead of the next-best defender, Michigan’s Yaxel Lendeborg. That’s not just a lead - that’s a defensive canyon. The Lithuanian 7-footer is doing more than just protecting the rim; he’s altering the entire geometry of the court.
And he’s not doing it alone. Arizona’s starting five is loaded with defensive talent.
Jaden Bradley ranks 17th nationally in defensive net points (43.5), Brayden Burries checks in at 34th (36.0), and Ivan Kharchenkov rounds out the group at 44th (34.0). Four of Arizona’s five starters are among the top 50 defenders in the country - a rare feat that speaks volumes about the team’s defensive identity under head coach Tommy Lloyd.
But let’s get back to Krivas, because his individual numbers are just as eye-popping. He’s averaging 5.45 defensive rebounds per game (81st nationally), swatting 1.82 shots a night (46th nationally), and dominating the glass with a 22.5% defensive rebounding rate - good for the 92nd percentile. Add in a 7.7% block rate (91st percentile) and a combined steals-and-blocks percentage of 9.4% (90th percentile), and it’s clear: Krivas is an elite-level disruptor.
Pair him with Tobe Awaka, and the Wildcats become a rebounding nightmare for opponents. Awaka ranks in the 100th percentile in offensive, defensive, and total rebounds per 40 minutes - a statistical unicorn.
Together, they form a frontcourt that’s as physical as it is effective. Arizona currently ranks 11th nationally - and fourth among power conference teams - with a 77.2 offensive rebounding percentage.
That’s a team that doesn’t just crash the boards - they live on them.
And the impact goes beyond the box score. When Krivas is on the floor, Arizona’s defensive rating improves by 19.2 points per 100 possessions, according to Floor and Ceiling.
That’s not just a bump - that’s a full-on defensive transformation. At 7'2" with a 7'5" wingspan and a listed weight of 260 pounds, Krivas brings a rare blend of size, length, and mobility that’s tailor-made for modern college basketball.
Even ESPN’s Fran Fraschilla weighed in, praising Arizona’s decision to roll with Krivas after losing Henri Veesaar to the transfer portal. “Finally, somebody has mentioned how good Mo Krivas is,” Fraschilla said.
“Great GM work here by Tommy Lloyd. He hated to see Henri Veesaar go, but his decision to roll with the big Lithuanian has been on target.”
Arizona couldn’t match the NIL offer that lured Veesaar to North Carolina, but the Wildcats haven’t missed a beat. Veesaar is projected to go 26th in the upcoming NBA Draft, while Krivas is slotted at No. 52 - and both players have found systems that showcase their strengths.
For Arizona, the continued development of Krivas, Awaka, and Veesaar (prior to his departure) underscores Tommy Lloyd’s growing reputation as one of the best big-man developers in the country. That kind of track record matters - not just for winning games now, but for attracting the next wave of elite frontcourt talent.
Bottom line: Arizona’s defensive engine is humming, and Motiejus Krivas is in the driver’s seat.