A night removed from That School Up North getting absolutely destroyed in a nationally televised exhibition game, Arizona wrapped up its preseason by blowing out Division II Point Loma on Monday night at McKale Center
But while the 113-64 final score doesn’t give the indication there was any real competition from the opponent, UA coach Tommy Lloyd felt his team got just what it needed out of its second exhibition game.
“This was more of a preparation game,” Lloyd said. “Point Loma, they have a really good program. They have a good coach, and they have Division I-level players. They have a nice system. A high percentage of (Division I) teams have elements of that system in what they do.”
One such team could be Arizona’s season-opening foe, Canisius, which comes to Tucson on Nov. 4. Lloyd, though, said he won’t turn his focus to the Golden Griffins until later in the week.
“I don’t even know what school colors Canisius is,” he said.
A week after shooting 63.3 percent in a 117-54 win over Eastern New Mexico, this time around the Wildcats shot 57.7 percent while hitting 10 of 25 3-pointers and outrebounding the Sea Lions 49-27. Arizona turned 21 Point Loma turnovers into 31 points, had a 56-16 edge in points in the paint and 28-9 on the fast break.
But the win wasn’t without some blemishes. Point Loma’s tempo press caused some hiccups at times, and the Sea Lions’ aggressive ball movement led to 16 fouls called on Arizona in the first half. That led to some interesting lineups, with several instances where none of the projected starters were on the court together in the first half.
“I think we have 10 guys that can play anywhere else, and a lot of guys I can start on any other college basketball team,” said freshman Carter Bryant, who had 13 points on 6-of-8 shooting in 16 minutes off the bench.
Bryant was one of six Wildcats in double figures, including fellow reserve Henri Veesaar (12 points). Trey Townsend led the way with 18 to go with 10 rebounds, with Jaden Bradley adding 16, KJ Lewis 15 and Tobe Awaka 12.
All 16 of Bradley’s points came in the first half as he made his first seven shots, including a pull-up 12-footer 10 seconds into the game. He said being more aggressive with the ball has been a constant suggestion from the coaching staff.
“They’ve been saying that since I got here,” Bradley said. “Just having that confidence and being the first one to shoot off the first possession, that’s something we’ve been working on, so just having that confidence and stepping into that shot.”
Sophomore center Motiejus Krivas once again did not dress, putting in doubt his availability for the season opener. Lloyd said Krivas, who is dealing with an ankle injury, is “ramping it up” but that the final decision on when he’s cleared to play will come from trainer Justin Kokoskie and Krivas.
“I like how we’re trending, I love that we’re getting on to the real thing, and I’m excited to have another good week of practice and then next week it’s real,” Lloyd said.
