TUCSON, Ariz. — Arizona’s high-paced offense encountered significant challenges, compounded by the inconsistent performances of its star player and the sudden loss of its projected starting center to a season-ending foot injury. These issues contributed to the Wildcats experiencing their toughest period in four seasons under coach Tommy Lloyd, which cast a shadow over a season that began with ample expectations.
Despite the rocky start, the Wildcats managed to recalibrate, demonstrating resilience in the midst of adversity. They have surged to the top of the Big 12 standings, achieving three victories against ranked opponents within a span of just ten days. “I always believed we had a talented team,” Lloyd expressed. “Though we faced an initial setback, it was crucial for us to establish a strong presence in conference play, and we’ve accomplished that.”
The Wildcats have a history of soaring expectations dating back to the Lute Olson era, and this season was no exception. Following a successful run that saw them reach the Sweet 16 for the second time in three years, Arizona entered the season ranked 10th in the AP Top 25 preseason poll and even climbed to 9th after the initial week.
However, the team’s trajectory took a downturn shortly thereafter. A crushing defeat to No. 24 Wisconsin, coupled with two losses in the Battle 4 Atlantis, left Arizona struggling at 4-5 after a tight 57-54 loss to UCLA in Phoenix on December 14.
Since that setback, the team has turned their fortunes around, closing out the nonconference campaign with two dominant victories and starting strong in their inaugural Big 12 season. Notably, the Wildcats secured road wins against Cincinnati and West Virginia while both were ranked, extending their winning streak to seven games with an 81-70 triumph over No. 25 Baylor. Currently, Arizona sits atop the Big 12 standings with an 11-5 record and 5-0 in the conference, closely followed by No. 3 Iowa State, and they are poised to break back into the rankings with a win against Texas Tech on Saturday.
Arizona player Henry Veesaar noted, “When we make solid plays and stay competitive, it fuels our energy and adrenaline.” Veesaar, a 7-foot forward from Estonia, has stepped up significantly after being sidelined in previous seasons due to limited minutes and injuries. Expected to be a backup this year, he has found himself in an expanded role following the injury to Motiejus Krivas. Veesaar has flourished with this increased responsibility, contributing an average of 8.1 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, including a standout performance with 19 points against Baylor.
Coach Lloyd acknowledged Veesaar’s growth, stating, “I’ve been encouraging him, telling him he’s becoming a legitimate player. He can’t afford to relax; he needs to keep pushing forward, as he’s now on the scouting report.”
The team’s success isn’t solely reliant on Veesaar. Early in the season, Arizona’s assists numbers were lacking, but they have improved significantly to rank 24th nationally with an average of 17.4 assists per game after returning to their fluid style of play. This improvement has been bolstered by Caleb Love, who, after a rocky start shooting from deep, has found his rhythm in recent games. As the previous Pac-12 Player of the Year, Love struggled early on, posting a dismal shooting percentage from three-point range. Still, he has rebounded with a series of strong performances, averaging 15.3 points per game.
While he’s had some ups and downs in scoring, Love’s contributions extend beyond the scoreboard, aiding the team with playmaking and defense. “Team play will always come first for us, and Caleb embodies that,” Lloyd remarked. “It’s reassuring to know we can manage effectively even when he’s not at his peak.”
