Arizona Vs UConn 🏀 Game Preview/Discussion Thread 11/19 at 5pm FS1

[WILD]

Arizona Vs UConn 🏀 Game Preview/Discussion Thread 11/19 at 5pm FS1

The Arizona Wildcats roll into Wednesday's matchup with UConn unbeaten at 4–0 and playing some of their most balanced early-season basketball in recent years. Arizona is averaging nearly 85 points per game while shooting above 50 percent from the floor and close to 40 percent from deep, showcasing both efficiency and depth. Their ball movement has been a major strength, with more than 19 assists per contest, and their effort on the boards—around 40 rebounds per game—has fueled second-chance points and transition opportunities. Head coach Tommy Lloyd has praised the group's composure and togetherness, saying, "I don't think we panicked. You hang with it, you make a few adjustments, and then you break through." With a deep rotation, versatile forwards, and confident guard play, the Wildcats have the tools to push the pace and put pressure on UConn in ways few teams can.

UConn enters the showdown with its own undefeated record and a style built on suffocating defense and smart, efficient offense. The Huskies have been dominant inside the arc, converting nearly 60 percent of their two-point attempts, while hitting close to 37 percent from three and knocking down their free throws at a high clip. Dan Hurley remains committed to his defensive identity, reiterating, "Defense first—everything else follows." Key contributors like Tarris Reed Jr. bring rebounding, rim protection, and energy off the bench, while Jayden Ross and Jaylin Stewart offer length, defensive switches, and timely scoring. UConn's physicality, discipline, and ability to control the half-court game make them one of the toughest opponents Arizona will face this season.

For Arizona to win, the formula is clear: they must control the pace, push UConn into faster possessions, and avoid being dragged into a slow, physical half-court battle. Protecting the basketball will be essential against a Husky defense that thrives on forcing mistakes. Arizona must also win the rebounding battle, limit UConn's second-chance points, and stay committed to defending without fouling. If the Wildcats can generate transition opportunities, knock down open threes, and stay patient against UConn's pressure, they'll give themselves a strong chance to leave Wednesday with a statement victory.

Let's talk about the Wildcats Vs Huskies! 

BEARDOWN!!!

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[arxpert]

A Bearded Delly in the Wild...

I think he took the assignment seriously this offseason and got rougher and tougher. Last year he was a kid getting pinballed around. Now he is sort of our Temu Klay Thompson of sorts. I don't think we should expect him to continue to carry us, but it is nice to see someone come up a level in transferring and actually "develop" under Tommy's tutelage for a change.

[arxpert]

And YES, that was a COMPLIMENT. For those who don't think I am capable of Due Credit in tandem with Fair Criticism

[Naterade]

So Ballo and Henri and Pelle and Keshad and Love developed on their own without Tommy's help? Got it.

[KansasCityCats]

And Koloko, whose body and game were polar opposites when comparing his freshman and sophomore seasons.

[Cactus🌵Cat]

Arizona legend, it started with fuzz,
A hairy face began the BDU buzz.
No lucky socks, no ritualistic rhyme,
Just growing beards by NCAA Tourney time.
From patchy fuzz to thick, untamed expanse,
Each bristly chin improves Wildcat scoring stance.
A furry fortress where the rivals fell,
The power of the beard, a tale to tell.
With every inch, a win beneath their belts,
BDU fan burn your razor, until it melts,
Forest on chin and cheek with nary a void,
The road to glory starts with a bearded t. lloyd!

[arxpert]

So Ballo and Henri and Pelle and Keshad and Love developed on their own without Tommy's help? Got it.

None came from a real Mid Major like Tony Delly.

Pelle came from Utah.

Keshad came from a very successful SDSU program as a Grad Transfer I believe where he already elevated his game before coming in and doesn't qualify because it was only 1 season which is the main point of this comment.

If we had 2 years of Keshad then it would be closer to Apples to Apples. Tommy merely landed a Finished Product. Delly was not.

Henri and Ballo were both also International Prospects and were never true Mid Major level prospects hence getting an invitation to Top Tier Programs instantly. Gonzaga is not a real Mid Major and everyone knows that so don't try it. Delly as an International Prospect was able to land a job at Campbell. Campbell is Not Gonzaga. Again, don't try it.

If you want to argue about Pelle, that is fine, but Utah was still a higher level program than Campbell no matter what you say - The proof is in the pudding with Cedric Henderson Jr. of the Tommy Lloyd Campbell Pipeline. Henderson did not Elevate his game.

1 Year is not usually enough for a true Career Mid Major level talent to become a Himothy.

Keshad Johnson was Solid for us, but not Elite by any means. Fun to watch, got himself drafted on his athleticism alone with or without Tommy's help anyone could see that he could run up and down, dunk the ball, and play NBA style ball.

Caleb Love got arguably worse coming to Arizona and we are lucky for his addition by subtraction this year. He also was the Broker for the Henri transfer and that may doom this team. I am pretty much done with him and his 1-9 from 3 all the time + his getting rejected by the rim dunk attempts. He made the NBA like he would have regardless, but UNC is not a Mid Major.

PS - You forgot Jaden Bradley in your snide comment. Someone who actually Truly developed. But he came from Alabama as a 5* so get rekt again.

Tony Del Orso has improved his level more than expected at this point and I am getting more certain by the post that the pushback I get from people is going to lead to certain doom when he inevitably has a bad game. You are proving that there are now Expectations for Delly and that in and of itself is flawed.

I was just giving a standard Due Credit Shout Out. Not trying to say Delly is going to be "THE REASON" or the EXCEPTION to the RULE.

But if he is, good for him he will have earned it all and Tommy would be instrumental in finding a guy with more than 1 year to stay committed to his Program and tutelage for a change. That would be a big thing for this program and maybe more players would want to stay if they see Tony keep succeeding.

[arxpert]

So Ballo and Henri and Pelle and Keshad and Love developed on their own without Tommy's help? Got it.

And Koloko, whose body and game were polar opposites when comparing his freshman and sophomore seasons.

Can't go back to anyone from the Koloko days as Miller never got a chance to continue forward with him nor Mamba Mathurin etc. Just have to chalk it up to Miller's dedication to those guys when he had no support from the University at all and also Miller's elite level of recruiting to find basically all of Tommy's starter pack in the first place for him to work with and in a short period of time basically losing his recruit class and having to find guys on the fly to come over to America.

[arxpert]

Arizona legend, it started with fuzz,
A hairy face began the BDU buzz.
No lucky socks, no ritualistic rhyme,
Just growing beards by NCAA Tourney time.
From patchy fuzz to thick, untamed expanse,
Each bristly chin improves Wildcat scoring stance.
A furry fortress where the rivals fell,
The power of the beard, a tale to tell.
With every inch, a win beneath their belts,
BDU fan burn your razor, until it melts,
Forest on chin and cheek with nary a void,
The road to glory starts with a bearded t. lloyd!

::snaps fingers::

[KansasCityCats]

Definitely not knocking Miller for Koloko's situation. I think he would have progressed under either coach but I think Lloyd did an amazing job with Miller's recruit.