News and notes from Arizona’s 104-50 over Texas-Rio Grande Valley Friday night at McKale Center:
Tommy Lloyd keeps it casual
Arizona fans hold elite expectations for the Wildcats on a yearly basis, but if there’s something to not expect, it’s first-year head coach Tommy Bahama — er, Tommy Lloyd — wearing three-piece suits on the sidelines. The same goes for his staff members.
“I’ve always wondered why we wore suits, but you didn’t want to be that guy standing out,” Lloyd said on Monday before Arizona’s season opener.
During Arizona’s win over UTRGV on Friday, Lloyd wore a white quarter-zipped pullover, dark gray slacks and navy blue Air Force 1 shoes. UA assistants TJ Benson and Rem Bakamus replicated Lloyd’s look, while Steve Robinson, Jack Murphy, Riccardo Fois, Ken Nakagawa and graduate assistants donned white polos.
The quarter-zip look was Lloyd’s preferred choice, but it was unavailable for the season-opening win over Northern Arizona on Tuesday.
“They call him EMOY, right, but I don’t know if he’s EMOY right now because we don’t have any long-sleeved pullovers,” Lloyd joked about UA equipment manager Brian Brigger, who is often referred to as the Equipment Manager of the Year. “I feel like I’m gonna be coaching naked (Tuesday) coaching in a polo. I prefer to have a long sleeve because sometimes it gets a little cold on the bench.”
Lloyd also jokingly changed Brigger’s title to EMOLY — Equipment Manager of Last Year.
“We added the ‘L’ in there, so let’s see if he could drop the ‘L.’ He’s working,” Lloyd said.
Keeping it 100
Arizona scored more than 100 points for the first time since the Wildcats beat Long Beach State 104-67 on Nov. 24, 2019.
Bennedict Mathurin splashes first 3s of season
Arizona second-year star wing Bennedict Mathurin made his first 3-pointers of the season in the second half against UTRGV. Mathurin finished the night with 13 points on 4-for-8 shooting and 2-for-6 from beyond the arc. Mathurin’s 3s were the first he’s made since Arizona’s season finale at Oregon in March.
The big number 1,098
Miles between UTRGV and Tucson, which is close to a 16-hour drive. The closest airport to Edinburg, Texas, the location of UTRGV’s campus, is McAllen Airport in McAllen, Texas.
Another big number 60
Games it took for Arizona center Christian Koloko to tab his first double-double as a Wildcat. Koloko finished Friday night with a career-high 18 points on 6-for-8 shooting and 11 rebounds, while also recording five blocks and two assists in 19 minutes.
“I told you guys this all along, he’s really good,” Lloyd said of Koloko. “He’s a really good player and I think he’s a force. He impacts the game every possession on both ends, and I think he’s going to gain more and more confidence as the season goes on.”
Koloko is the first Wildcat since Jordan Hill in 2008 to record at least 10 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks in a game, according to Pac-12 Network research manager Greg Mroz. Hill had 25 points, 14 rebounds and six blocks against San Diego State during the 2008-09 season.
“I felt good,” Koloko said. “Just coming in, I knew I had to be ready because (UTRGV) was undersized, so all the bigs had to be ready and I think that’s what we did tonight, and we did a good job.”
What’s a vaquero?
UTRGV’s mascot, the Vaquero, is one of five Division I colleges that uses a Spanish name for their mascot, joining the Cal State Northridge Matadors, UC Santa Barbara Gauchos, San Diego Toreros and New Mexico Lobos.
A vaquero is a cowboy or cattle driver. The school earned its nickname in 2014, when UT-Pan American and UTRGV merged schools.
Photos: Wildcats rout UTRGV in McKale Center
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University of Arizona's Pelle Larsson makes his way through the defense during Friday's win over UTRGV in McKale Center.
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U of A's Christian Koloko makes a layup against UTRGV on Nov. 12, 2021 at McKale Center.
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Justin Kier makes a layup during Friday's win over UTRGV in McKale Center.
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Benedict Mathurin drives during Friday's win over UTRGV in McKale Center.
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University of Arizona's Kerr Kriisa attempts to block a shot during Friday's win over UTRGV in McKale Center..
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Arizona's Kerr Kriisa talks to a ref during the Wildcats nonconference win over UTRGV in McKale Center.
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Arizona's defense executes a successful block during Friday's win over UTRGV in McKale Center.
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Arizona's bench celebrates a 3-pointer vs. UTRGV. The Wildcats won, 104-50.
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UA Tommy Lloyd claps on the sideline during Friday's win over UTRGV in McKale Center.
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Benedict Mathurin dunks during Friday's win over UTRGV in McKale Center.
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Justin Kier prepares to inbound the ball during the first half of Friday's 104-50 win over UTRGV.
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Kerr Kriisa celebrates after hitting a 3-pointer during Friday's win over UTRGV in McKale Center.
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Benedict Mathurin elevates to the basket during Friday's win over UTRGV in McKale Center.
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Kim Aiken Jr. stretches before Friday's win over UTRGV in McKale Center.
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The UA men's basketball team warms up before Friday's game against UTRGV.
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The Arizona men's basketball team warms up before Friday's game against UTRGV.
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Oumar Ballo dunks during Friday's 104-50 win over UTRGV.



