After losing three players โ and significant offensive firepower โ to the NBA draft, the 17th-ranked Arizona Wildcats set a program record in their 117-75 win over Nicholls to tip off the season on Monday.ย
Arizona shot 72% from the field, a record that hasn't been accomplished since 1984.ย
The Wildcats were led by returning All-Pac-12 forward Azuolas Tubelis who finished with 23 points on 10-for-12 shooting from the field, seven rebounds and six assists. Former Pac-12 Sixth Man of the Year Pelle Larsson recorded his first-career double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds in the triumph.ย
Here's what UA head coach Tommy Lloyd, now in his second season at the helm, had to say following the victory:ย
Lloyd on Arizona's 24 turnovers
Tommy Lloyd on Arizonaโs 24 turnovers against Nicholls in the season opener: โWhen you play a team like that, you canโt be casual.โ pic.twitter.com/TG5vRfS953
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) November 8, 2022
Freshman PG Kylan Boswell 'thrusted' into early minutes
Tommy Lloyd says Arizona freshman point guard Kylan Boswell (foot) โhas been full steam ahead the last two weeks.โBoswell had 8 points, 5 assists and 4 turnovers in his UA debut tonight. โI thought he looked good out there.โ pic.twitter.com/Duaoi8NWeJ
— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) November 8, 2022
Tubelis' improvements
โHeโs so great in the open court, running.โ โ Tommy Lloyd on Arizona forward Azuolas Tubelis who had 23 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists against Nicholls pic.twitter.com/jcJvz3QAc2
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) November 8, 2022
'I love assists'
Tommy Lloyd on Arizonaโs 30 assists and 38 field goals: pic.twitter.com/HU52QrvT2G
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) November 8, 2022
Moving forward
Tommy Lloyd always takes two things away from games. 1: โThings we did well.โ2: โThings we need to get better at.โ โYou hammer both categories. โฆ Thatโs how you build consistency.โ pic.twitter.com/rsuaCVNAGx
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) November 8, 2022
