Arizona men's basketball team showcased their resilience with an 87-80 victory over Baylor, marking a successful Texas road trip after defeating Houston. This win positions the Wildcats strongly in their quest for a share of the Big 12 regular-season title.
Next up, a showdown against Kansas at McKale Center in a primetime “Stripe Out” matchup. Here’s what head coach Tommy Lloyd had to say after the win:
On the Victory: “It was a fantastic game, and we knew it would be tough.
We've been on the road for what feels like a week. After a gritty win on Saturday, we couldn’t afford to overlook this game.
Baylor's talent is undeniable, and they had answers for everything. Our guys showed incredible toughness and fortitude.
If anyone questions our program's toughness, they’re missing the mark. I'm proud of our team and the individual efforts we saw.”
On Team Resilience: “Seasons are long, games are tough, and emotions run high.
When you're on the road and things get rough, it's easy to think it's not your day. But our guys don’t have that mindset.
The toughness from senior leader Bradley and freshman guard Burries was special. Ivan also made crucial plays with offensive rebounds and hustle, which was inspiring.”
On NBA Scouts in Attendance: “That’s just another day in the Big 12.
I don’t count scouts, but I’m sure they enjoyed the good basketball. There were plenty of players on the court who’ll likely be at their level soon, and I hope they represented themselves well.”
On the Challenge of the Big 12: “We’re in the thick of it.
Just look at Baylor’s record in conference play, and you’ll understand the difficulty. Their coach is one of the best, and it’s a thin line between success and struggle.
They're a team that could make waves in the Big 12 tournament.”
On Offensive Rebounding: “Offensive rebounding is crucial; it’s like an insurance policy on offense.
We challenged our guys at halftime because we were trailing in rebounds and turnovers. They responded well, setting the tone for the second half.
It felt like a one-possession game for the last 15 minutes.”
On Handling Injuries and Illnesses: “Our training staff has done an outstanding job.
Delly said he felt 100 percent, and while he didn’t look it, his competitive spirit was evident. We’re managing with limited options and hope to have reinforcements soon.
The team’s toughness is commendable.”
On Koa Peat’s Possible Return: “Having Koa back would be a great boost. Nothing is confirmed, but we’re hopeful he’ll be back soon.”
On the Program’s Trajectory: “We need to recover and re-energize after a tough stretch.
We have an incredibly challenging weekend ahead at home, and we’re excited for it. Our fans will be thrilled to welcome the team back, and both Saturday and Monday should be electric.”