On Wednesday, during his inaugural appearance at the Big 12 Conference Media Day held in Kansas City, Tommy Lloyd found himself fielding questions about the league venues he was eager to face this upcoming season. In true Tommy fashion, however, his thoughts were firmly fixated on an imminent exhibition game against a formidable Division II rival.
“We got Point Loma coming in on Monday,” Lloyd excitedly declared. “Point Loma is a great Division II program, and I heard they just beat a Division I team in a scrimmage. That speaks volumes about their capabilities. So we’re going to be geared up for that. It’s no lack of respect for anybody. Guys, I’m simple. What’s next? What’s now? What’s next? That’s literally what I’m focused on.”
The Wildcats will wrap up their exhibition slate Monday evening at McKale Center against Point Loma, a team that recently triumphed over Cal State Northridge in a closed scrimmage. Fans can catch the game streaming live on ESPN+, with a scheduled tip-off at 7 p.m. MST.
Here’s what to watch for in the UA’s final preseason tuneup:
The shot selection
Arizona displayed impressive shooting prowess, hitting an astounding 63.3 percent in their previous exhibition, a resounding 117-54 victory against Eastern New Mexico. They completed 24 of 34 attempts inside the arc and connected on 14 of 26 attempts from beyond the three-point line. Last season, the Wildcats took nearly two-thirds of their shots from inside the arc, achieving a solid 54.4 percent success rate. Additionally, they finished among the top 40 nationally from the perimeter, shooting an impressive 36.6 percent.
Lloyd will be satisfied with any division in the shot breakdown, as long as it includes frequent trips to the free-throw line. “It’s no secret, we’re not trying to build a team to shoot 30 threes or 40 threes. Instead, we’re aiming to build a team that shoots around 30 free throws,” Lloyd mentioned after the game against Eastern New Mexico, where the Wildcats successfully converted 27 of 35 free throw attempts. “It’s probably not going to happen every night, but with that mindset, we’ll create numerous opportunities for great shots—especially from deep—because we’ll collapse defenses and generate around 20 or 24 three-pointers from our preferred shooters.”
Caleb Love is already a proven asset from beyond the arc, boasting a remarkable 277 made three-pointers during his first season with Arizona. Meanwhile, Campbell transfer Anthony Dell’Orso showcased his sharpshooting skills with a 38 percent finish from three-point territory in the 2023-24 season. However, the standout surprise of the first exhibition was Oakland transfer Trey Townsend, who impressively shot 4 of 5 from deep, a remarkable performance considering he only attempted 32 three-pointers last season with the Golden Grizzlies.
Explaining his previous limited attempts, Townsend mentioned that his role at Oakland didn’t emphasize outside shooting, though he felt capable of doing so. Since joining Arizona, he has diligently worked alongside assistant Ken Nakagawa to enhance his shooting form.
“Ken’s approach with me is simple: he doesn’t care about whether I make or miss in practice; he just wants me to shoot so that I build confidence as a shooter,” Townsend shared. “Initially, I struggled with this, especially since I wasn’t making many in practice. However, with repetition and a shift in mentality, it all came together today.”
Mo better?
Sophomore center Motiejus Krivas did not participate in the first exhibition or the Red-Blue Showcase at the end of September, hindered by an ankle injury that has sidelined him during practices. Recently, Lloyd mentioned that the towering 7-foot-2 Estonian was gradually working on basketball-related activities, though there is no rush to expedite his return.
If he remains unable to dress for this upcoming game, his availability for the regular season opener on November 4 against Canisius may be compromised.
In Krivas’s absence, both Henri Veesaar and Emmanuel Stephen will likely have increased opportunities to solidify their roles. When Krivas recovers, he is expected to resume his starting position at the center, shifting Tennessee transfer Tobe Awaka to the power forward position.
Veesaar made an impressive comeback, scoring 19 points on 8-of-9 shooting during the first exhibition, marking his first game action in a year. Following a dislocated elbow last October, he redshirted in the 2023-24 season but has appeared stronger and more confident than ever.
Regarding Stephen, a 7-foot center, his limited 11 minutes of play last week exhibited both great potential and areas needing improvement. He recorded a rebound, an assist, and two blocks, but he also had three fouls, two turnovers, and missed all three shot attempts.
“E-man is doing great; he’s right where he should be,” Lloyd commented after the Red-Blue Showcase. “We understood he would be a work in progress, but we genuinely appreciate his energy and effort around the program. The key for him will be showing patience while learning from veterans and our coaching staff, committing to hard work, and allowing some time to see the results of his efforts.”
A fairly competent opponent
Although Point Loma competes at the Division II level, they clinched the PacWest Conference regular season title last year. Impressively, the Sea Lions retained their entire roster while other programs faced player departures via the transfer portal, with many moving to several Division I programs, including Arkansas.
Point Loma boasts five players who each made at least 36 three-pointers last season, with three players shooting at a commendably consistent 35 percent or better. This will pose a significant challenge to Arizona’s perimeter defense, which successfully limited Eastern New Mexico to just 3 of 18 from beyond the arc.
However, Arizona will benefit from a substantial size advantage, as Point Loma features only one player exceeding 6-foot-9, and last season, the Sea Lions suffered an average rebounding deficit of 0.4 boards per game.
**Interview with Arizona Wildcats Head Coach Tommy Lloyd on Upcoming Exhibition Game**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Coach Lloyd. Let’s dive right in! You’re about to face Point Loma in your final exhibition game before the season starts. What can you tell us about them?
**Tommy Lloyd:** I’m really excited about this matchup! Point Loma is a great Division II program, and I heard they just pulled off an impressive win against a Division I team in a scrimmage. That speaks volumes about their capabilities, and it’s a great opportunity for us to challenge ourselves.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned that your focus is entirely on this upcoming game. What aspects are you particularly looking to improve on from your previous exhibition against Eastern New Mexico?
**Tommy Lloyd:** Our shooting was fantastic in that game, hitting 63.3 percent, but we’re always looking to refine our shot selection and ensure that we’re getting to the free-throw line. It’s about creating opportunities and collapsing defenses to generate quality shots. How we shoot from deep and our ability to draw fouls will be crucial.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of shooting, it seems you have several sharpshooters on your roster this season, including Caleb Love and Anthony Dell’Orso. How do you see their roles evolving this season?
**Tommy Lloyd:** Those guys are incredible assets for us. Caleb is a proven scorer from beyond the arc, and Anthony has demonstrated great potential as well. The more we can build that three-point element into our game while maintaining a balanced attack, the better off we’ll be. Trey Townsend has also surprised us with his shooting; he’s been putting in the work.
**Interviewer:** You have some players still working through injuries, particularly Motiejus Krivas. How are you managing the roster as you prepare for the upcoming season?
**Tommy Lloyd:** Injuries are part of the game, and we’re taking our time with Motiejus. He’s currently focused on his rehabilitation, and we’re optimistic about his return, but there’s no need to rush him back. In the meantime, guys like Henri Veesaar and Emmanuel Stephen are stepping up and will have opportunities to prove themselves.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like you have a solid plan in place. for fans looking to catch the game against Point Loma, what should they expect?
**Tommy Lloyd:** Expect a competitive game! We’re treating this like a significant stepping stone toward our season. Fans can catch the live stream on ESPN+ at 7 p.m. MST. I hope to see everyone cheering, as every game is pivotal for our development!
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Coach Lloyd! We wish you and the Wildcats the best of luck in the exhibition game and the season ahead.
**Tommy Lloyd:** Thank you! We appreciate the support!
T into our game, the better we will be. I’m also excited about Trey Townsend’s development; he showed his ability to knock down shots in our last exhibition. We’re working to create a system where everyone can thrive and contribute.
**Interviewer:** With Motiejus Krivas dealing with an ankle injury, how are you managing the depth at the center position for this upcoming game?
**Tommy Lloyd:** It’s definitely a challenge, but it also provides a great opportunity for players like Henri Veesaar and Emmanuel Stephen to step up. Veesaar has shown tremendous progress and confidence, while we’re still developing E-man. It’s all about growth for us, and I believe they’ll rise to the occasion.
**Interviewer:** Point Loma might be a Division II team, but they’ve demonstrated competitiveness. What are your expectations for how your team will handle their challenges?
**Tommy Lloyd:** Absolutely, Point Loma is a talented team. They’ve retained their roster and have players that can shoot the three well. We need to be disciplined on defense and control the boards. I trust our size advantage will help us, but we can’t take them lightly. Every opponent presents challenges, and we need to play our best to succeed.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what message do you want to convey to Wildcats fans heading into this exhibition matchup?
**Tommy Lloyd:** I want our fans to know we’re excited and ready to put on a show! We’re working hard to build a competitive team, and with games like this, we’re taking steps in the right direction. I hope they come out and support us; it’s going to be a great atmosphere, and we’re looking forward to the season ahead!
**Interviewer:** Thank you so much for your time today, Coach Lloyd. Best of luck against Point Loma!
**Tommy Lloyd:** Thank you! I appreciate the support. Go Wildcats!
