A New Era Of Arizona Basketball Begins

The key takeaway from this press conference is the difference that you are going to see from the Tommy Lloyd style as opposed to the Sean Miller way.

Lloyd made the point repeatedly that his team is going to run. And they aren’t going to run just because it sounds cool. They are going to run because that’s the best way to win.

Furthermore, he talked about how to whom much is entrusted much is required and that freedom will be given accordingly. Lloyd means what he says here.

Multiple media members mentioned that there was also a much looser feel around the program and much of that is due to Lloyd’s demeanor.

Kerr Kriisa is a point guard. Lloyd made reference to not understanding where the question of what true position Kriisa should really play came from and immediately dismissed those questions. Expect to see Kerr handle the ball for the majority of the game and to excel doing it.

Perhaps the most interesting part of media day are the expectations that Lloyd has for junior big man Christian Koloko. I’ll believe it when I see it but anytime a head coach brings up all conference possibilities for a player who has never averaged more than 5 points and 5 rebounds per game, you will take notice.

Sophomore wing Dalen Terry is a good kid. Lloyd made that point multiple times and even called the sophomore wing a “sweetheart.” The guess here is that Terry has a big season.

There are a lot of expectations on sophomore wing Benn Mathurin and big man Azuolas Tubelis and Lloyd didn’t dispel them but also tempered them by saying that there will be nights when both will dominate and some where they will both merely fit in.

All in all this was a refreshing experience. Yes the IARP still hangs over the Wildcat program but everything was much more upbeat and loose heading into the Red-Blue Game Saturday.

Regarding the Red-Blue Game, this should be one of the more informative ones as this will be everyone’s first chance to see Lloyd and this new style up close while playing in a promised real scrimmage environment.

Arizona Hoops is here.