All you need is Love? Not Arizona

Good morning! Just think, there might be a day this week where the Mountain West and Pac-12 don’t make news.

1. Is this the year Tommy Lloyd finally breaks through?

Last season Houston came into the Big 12 — arguably the best league in the country — and won it. While this may be hard to replicate, Tommy Lloyd and his Arizona Wildcats could have a team capable of doing exactly that.

For starters, the Wildcats return last year’s Pac 12 POY in Caleb Love: a college basketball superstar who can score in bunches. They also bring back KJ Lewis and Jaden Bradley, who averaged a combined 13.1 points per game last season, to round out the backcourt. Those three are as good as it gets for a perimeter trio, and that’s where we’ll start.

Lloyd said at the team’s preseason media day that his backcourt is not only built for the rigors of Big 12 play, but that experience within his system is a massive edge.

"I would equate to having three guards in their second year in the program as equivalent to maybe, five or ten years ago, having three upperclassmen in those guard spots. You feel comfortable with the continuity and hopefully they are able to take the next steps within the program because of their experience and their familiarity with what we do."

Love, now a fifth-year senior, will once again be the focal point of Arizona’s offense. His ability to score at all three levels and take over games in crunch time makes him a great go-to option. When North Carolina made its Final Four run in 2022, Love was the offensive focal point. He still has his moments where his shot selections negatively impact winning, so that continued evolution will be essential.

The other key question for Arizona is at point guard.

Jaden Bradley, who flashed potential last season, will need to take a significant leap as a facilitator. Can he orchestrate the offense and elevate those around him? Finding a way to get consistent playmaking out of Bradley is crucial because, as good as Love is scoring the ball, this team needs a steady hand to run the show.

Moving onto the frontcourt, the Wildcats have a unique mix of size and talent, as Rob Dauster and Jeff Goodman noted during our Offseason Grades series.

Start with Motiejus Krivas, a 7-foot-2 sophomore who will be the anchor in the middle. His rim protection and ability to alter shots is invaluable, but it’s his offensive development that could take this team to the next level. (Not to mention some minor injury concerns.) Alongside him will be Oakland transfer Trey Townsend, who shined during the NCAA Tournament last season with a 17-point, 13-rebound game vs. Kentucky and 30-point, 13-rebound game vs. NC State. Townsend’s experience and talent is undeniable, but how will he adjust to playing everyday in the Big 12 as an undersized four?

The last frontcourt piece is Tennessee transfer Tobe Awaka. He didn’t play big minutes as a Volunteer and projects as a similar role in Arizona where he’ll likely back up Krivas and Townsend.

Freshman Carter Bryant and Anthony Dell’Orso, a sharp-shooting transfer from Campbell, are additional key rotation pieces. Bryant, a top-20 recruit, brings length and athleticism to the wing. Dell’Orso shot 38% on 129 attempts from deep last year, making him a floor spacer. You also can’t forget about Henri Veesaar, another sophomore 7-footer.

Defensively, Arizona has the potential to be one of the most efficient teams in the country. Bradley and Lewis can really guard, and Krivas offers rim protection. If Love really buys in on that end, the Wildcats will maintain a top 10 spot in kenpom’s adjusted defensive efficiency rankings.

Ultimately, this season will hinge on three things:

• Whether Bradley can be the head of the snake

• If Townsend can handle the jump in competition

• If Love makes another leap in his game.

If everything clicks, Tommy Lloyd’s squad could not only compete for the Big 12 title, but also make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament (Lloyd has yet to get past the Sweet 16 at Arizona). If not, they could find themselves crowded in the middle of a stacked Big 12.

2. Notre Dame’s massive recruiting win

Micah Shrewsberry’s usually lauded for his coaching acumen. Turns out he can recruit, too.

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