It wasn't easy, but the ninth-ranked Arizona Wildcats clawed and fought their way to a 75-70 win over No. 6 Tennessee on Saturday at McKale Center.
It's Arizona's first win over a Top-10 nonconference opponent at McKale Center since the Wildcats' win over Gonzaga in 2014.
Despite the Wildcats not having any bench points, Arizona had four players in double-figure scoring, including near double-doubles from Azuolas Tubelis (19 points, nine rebounds) and Oumar Ballo (18 points, eight rebounds), albeit the Volunteers out-scored the Wildcats 34-30 in paint points.
Saturday marked the fourth win over a Top-25 opponent this season for the Wildcats. It's also the fourth time the Wildcats have taken down a Top-10 team under head coach Tommy Lloyd. Here are the most pertinent things Lloyd said following the Wildcats' statement victory.
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Overall thoughts on win
“For us to get a W over a gritty team like Tennessee, it was a great night.” — Tommy Lloyd on the Wildcats’ 75-70 win over Tennessee pic.twitter.com/tF1y4Vuiuk
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) December 18, 2022
Perks of matchups like Tennessee
“They’re great for our program.” — Tommy Lloyd on Arizona scheduling notable nonconference opponents for home-and-home series pic.twitter.com/it6kZLD0kE
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) December 18, 2022
Zero bench points
Tommy Lloyd on Arizona’s zero bench points: “Just one of those days.” pic.twitter.com/uvYJKYfYaw
— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) December 18, 2022
Tubelis settling in against Vols
Azuolas Tubelis said he was lost in Arizona’s loss at Tennessee last year. Tommy Lloyd’s message to Tubelis going into tonight? “‘You don’t have to hit any home runs out here,’ and he probably doesn’t even know what that means.” pic.twitter.com/i0Wx6JKz7e
— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) December 18, 2022
Kerr Kriisa's (illness) recovery this week
Tommy Lloyd on how Arizona guard Kerr Kriisa handled his illness this week: pic.twitter.com/3e2gAwen0V
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) December 18, 2022
Home cooking
Tommy Lloyd on advantages of playing opponents like No. 6 Tennessee at McKale Center: pic.twitter.com/Z8l76tfmrs
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) December 18, 2022
Not celebrating too much
“You know what the biggest game is? The next one.” — Tommy Lloyd pic.twitter.com/miZkTNGCOS
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) December 18, 2022
Photos: University of Arizona claws to a 75-70 win over Tennessee, top ten match-up, men's basketball
University of Arizona vs Tennessee
Arizona guard Pelle Larsson (3) gets fouled as he scores, earning an and-one against Tennessee in their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 17, 2022.
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Arizona forward Azuolas Tubelis knocks away a desperation shot from Tennessee guard Santiago Vescovi in the dying minutes of the Wildcats' Dec. 17 win over the Vols in McKale Center.
University of Arizona vs Tennessee
Arizona guard Pelle Larsson (3) goes to the bucket past Tennessee forward Uros Plavsic (33) in the first half of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 17, 2022.
University of Arizona vs Tennessee
Arizona forward Azuolas Tubelis (10) slides his way under Tennessee forward Olivier Nkamhoua (13) in the first half of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 17, 2022.
University of Arizona vs Tennessee
Arizona center Oumar Ballo (11) fights for control of a rebound with Tennessee guard Jahmai Mashack (15) in the first half of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 17, 2022.
University of Arizona vs Tennessee
Arizona guard Pelle Larsson (3) draws a charge from Tennessee guard Tyreke Key (4) in the first half of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 17, 2022.
University of Arizona vs Tennessee
Arizona guard Pelle Larsson (3) and Tennessee forward Olivier Nkamhoua (13) vie for a rebound in their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 17, 2022.
University of Arizona vs Tennessee
Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd reacts after talking with Tennessee coach Rick Barnes during the first half of their game at McKale Center on Dec. 17, 2022.
University of Arizona vs Tennessee
Arizona guard Courtney Ramey (0), left, and forward Azuolas Tubelis (10) put the double team on Tennessee guard Santiago Vescovi (25) defending his drive into the lane in the first half of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 17, 2022.
University of Arizona vs Tennessee
Arizona guard Kerr Kriisa (25) just beats the shot clock, dropping a lay past Tennessee forward Tobe Awaka (11) in the second half of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 17, 2022.
University of Arizona vs Tennessee
Arizona forward Azuolas Tubelis (10) grabs the offensive rebound despite being undercut by Tennessee forward Julian Phillips (2) in the second half of their game at McKale Center on Dec. 17, 2022.
University of Arizona vs Tennessee
Arizona guard Pelle Larsson (3) flexes after drawing an and-one against Tennessee in the second half of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 17, 2022.
University of Arizona vs Tennessee
Tennessee guard Tyreke Key (4) drags down a rebound in the middle of Arizona forward Azuolas Tubelis (10), center Oumar Ballo (11) and guard Kerr Kriisa (25) in their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 17, 2022.
University of Arizona vs Tennessee
Arizona guard Kerr Kriisa (25) comes up to teammate guard Pelle Larsson (3) after he earned a free throw against Tennessee in the second half of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 17, 2022.
University of Arizona vs Tennessee
Arizona center Oumar Ballo (11) lets go with a big yell as time runs out on Tennessee in the second half of the Wildcats' 75-70 win at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 17, 2022.
University of Arizona vs Tennessee
Arizona guard Pelle Larsson (3) and forward Azuolas Tubelis (10) celebrate as the clock runs out on a 75-70 win over Tennessee at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 17, 2022.
University of Arizona vs Tennessee
Arizona guard Kylan Boswell (4) strips Tennessee guard Zakai Zeigler (5) of the ball near mid-court in the second half of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 17, 2022.
University of Arizona vs Tennessee
Arizona forward Azuolas Tubelis (10) pokes the ball from Tennessee forward Tobe Awaka (11) in their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 17, 2022.
University of Arizona vs Tennessee
Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd talks with one of the game officials after his bench was assessed a technical in the second half against Tennessee at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 17, 2022.
University of Arizona vs Tennessee
Arizona guard Kerr Kriisa (25) draws a charge from Tennessee guard Zakai Zeigler (5) in the first half of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 17, 2022.
University of Arizona vs Tennessee
Arizona forward Azuolas Tubelis (10) out jumps Tennessee forward Uros Plavsic (33) for an inlet pass in the first half of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 17, 2022.
University of Arizona vs Tennessee
Tennessee forward Uros Plavsic (33) outmuscles Arizona forward Henri Veesaar (13) for a rebound in their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 17, 2022.
University of Arizona vs Tennessee
Arizona guard Kylan Boswell (4) helps haul up forward Azuolas Tubelis (10) after he got flattened and sent skidding to the sidelines against Tennessee in the second half of their game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 17, 2022.
University of Arizona vs Tennessee
Arizona guard Courtney Ramey (0) out early dialing in his shooting eye as the Wildcats get ready to take on Tennessee in a top ten match-up at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., December 17, 2022.
Contact sports producer Justin Spears at jspears@tucson.com. On Twitter: @JustinESports
Justin Spears
Sports Reporter
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