Saying heโs heard โdisgustingโ reports of staffers at UA football games being verbally abused when trying to enforce COVID-19 protocols, UA president Robert Robbins pushed stronger Monday for fans to wear masks inside of McKale Center for menโs and womenโs basketball games.
UA has officially been requiring fans to enter McKale with a mask on and to wear them at all times except when eating or drinking, but Robbins said from his observation that โfor the most partโ fans are taking them off while seated.
But reminding UA fans of the policy, Robbins indicated, hasnโt always been easy at football games and may not be inside McKale, either.
โI was always concerned as we move from the outdoor environment for football games indoor, where weโre gonna be closer together,โ Robbins said. โI think of McKale as one big airplane and weโve seen how many flight attendants are being assaulted โฆ please donโt disrupt the activities at our events, because our players, our coaches, put in a lot of time preparing for these games to provide each person who comes in joy and entertainment.
โI would just ask everyone who loves this university and loves our sports team, and likes to come to celebrate, to have some compassion for their fellow human beings who are there trying to serve you and not be abusive. Itโs just absolutely disgusting and will not be tolerated.โ
UA initially tried a softer approach with its fans. On the other side of the UA campus, Centennial Hall patrons are required to submit proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test plus wear a mask for its upcoming Hamilton performances. But no vaccination or test is required at McKale Center.
Since the Oct. 2 Red-Blue Game, UA said fans were expected to wear masks except while eating or drinking at their seat and UA athletic director Dave Heeke has routinely reminded fans of the policy in his weekly โWildcat Wednesdayโ newsletter.
โLetโs work together to Mask Up and Bear Down!โ the Nov. 10 newsletter said.
Roughly half the fans for the Red-Blue Game, a Nov. 1 exhibition game against Eastern New Mexico and two regular-season games last week were not wearing them. UA has attracted about 10,000 fans for each event.
A day after the Wildcatsโ Nov. 1 exhibition game, Heeke said there were โconcerns about how it lookedโ and plans to address the issue.
โWeโre going to be very diligent in increasing our education and increasing the awareness, reminding people of the importance of having their masks,โ Heeke said. โI believe that our fan base will comply. So weโll continue to make them aware of the need to have it.โ
When asked his reaction to the policy and the reports of verbal abuse, UA coach Tommy Lloyd encouraged fans to wear masks while deferring to UA administration.
โObviously, the COVID situation is still strong and my deal is if youโre required to wear a mask in order to attend the game, then do it,โ Lloyd said. โThat would be my feeling. But I donโt think I need to be in the business of peopleโs personal decisions and all that stuff. Iโm just trying to take care of my little world around the basketball team and everything on the outside of that.โ
Lloyd has said all his players and staffers are vaccinated, and indicated he wasnโt concerned that the lack of mask-wearing might lead to a breakthrough positive test that could sideline a player.
Lloyd high on Anderson
In his first comments about Gilbert Perry center Dylan Anderson, who signed a letter-of-intent to play with the Wildcats next season, Lloyd said the 7-footer has potential to excel at multiple spots on the floor even at his size.
โI think heโs gonna be a great player,โ Lloyd said. โHe has potential to be a good shooter, but Iโm more excited to see what he can do around the basket. I think heโs got a lot of potential to be a really versatile post player whoโs going to be able to have his way around the hoop. I think defensively, heโs really grown where heโs gonna really protect the rim.โ
While Anderson has been described as a stretch-four, Lloyd said heโs already had conversations with him about how he needs to develop his inside game in addition to being able to step outside.
โHeโs really working on some of his movements,โ Lloyd said. โI think heโll be able to get out on the perimeter and guard the perimeter as well. And if you have a big who can guard the perimeter, protect the rim, throw the 3 here and there and dominate the paint, thatโs a heck of a combination. Thatโs what I see in Dylan.โ
Kier in new role
Guard Justin Kier might be in his sixth year of college basketball, but forgive him if it seems like a whole different game this season.
Not only does Kier say heโs playing with ball screens more often than he ever has in Lloydโs offensive system โ while also playing some point guard behind Kerr Kriisa โ but heโs also playing off the bench for the first time in his career. Kier was a full-time starter for three seasons at George Mason before starting all 25 of Georgiaโs games last season, and heโs now a sixth man for the Wildcats.
Kier said heโs โbeen that guyโ who gets upset when heโs not starting but has grown since then.
โI believe in our coaching staff and I was mature enough to be able to have those conversations and Iโm gonna do what needs to be done for the team,โ Kier said. โIt doesnโt matter what I want, doesnโt matter what it looks like, if it looks better to start or this or that. Iโm gonna do whatโs best for the team to win and bring the energy right off the bench and do what I can.โ
Over two games so far, Kier is still averaging 21.2 minutes, along with 9.0 points and 4.0 rebounds. He has hit 7 of 12 shots from the field including half of his six 3-pointers.
โHeโs played good almost every night out and been consistent,โ Lloyd said. โHeโs probably handled the ball more than he ever has in his life and heโs growing in that role.โ
