Lloyd Wants a Big Change to Arizona’s Preseason Approach

Arizona tips off a new season against the defending champion No. 3 Florida Gators on Nov. 4 in Las Vegas as part of the Hall of Fame Series. There isn't a more challenging way to begin a new season, especially with a team loaded with young, unproven talent with plenty of upside.

The slate only gets tougher from there, with matchups against No. 12 UCLA, No. 4 UConn, No. 20 Auburn and No. 15 Alabama all before beginning a second season in a daunting Big 12 conference.

Jan 4, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Jaden Bradley (0) dribbles against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the first half at Fifth Third Arena. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images | Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

What Lloyd Wants

Wildcats coach Tommy Lloyd felt that his team last season, which finished fourth in the Big 12 regular season standings and fell to Houston in the conference tournament final, was occasionally caught off guard by the road atmosphere during Big 12 play. The Wildcats went 6-4 on the road in conference play last year.

On Thursday, he cited Arizona's loss at Kansas State last season as a learning opportunity.

“Kansas State, when we showed up there, they were kind of struggling to pick it up, and you’re like, ‘OK, these people aren’t acting like their team is struggling,'” Lloyd said. “They’re wearing their purple and wanting blood.”

Feb 11, 2025; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Tommy Lloyd yells at his team during the first half against the Kansas State Wildcats at Bramlage Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images | Scott Sewell-Imagn Images

That's why Lloyd scheduled a preseason game with Saint Mary's to test his new roster before the games actually count.

He hoped to follow up that exhibition game with a matchup against a national team, but the deal fell through. Instead, Arizona will host Embry-Riddle, a Division II program in the state, on Oct. 27.

“I thought we were going to play Saint Mary’s and I thought we were going to play the Mexican senior national team,” Lloyd said. “We basically came to an agreement with the Mexican coaching staff that that’s what we were going to do, but unfortunately the NCAA didn’t allow it. We applied for a waiver and it didn’t get approved."

Mar 15, 2023; Sacramento, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Tommy Lloyd addresses the media in a press conference during practice day at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images | Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Lloyd explained how the match could be beneficial for both sides. For Arizona, a team with lots of freshman would get some solid experience against seasoned players before opening the regular season. While it wouldn't come as a road test, it would create an atmosphere that would benefit the Wildcats to have played in so early on.

National teams are aiming to qualify for regional or world championships between November and January, as Lloyd explained, making an exhibition contest against a team like Arizona an ideal fit.

Mar 8, 2025; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Arizona Wildcats coach Tommy Lloyd watches game play during the second half against the Kansas Jayhawks at Allen Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images | William Purnell-Imagn Images

"Fingers crossed, hopefully that’s something in the future that can happen," Lloyd said.

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