When the Arizona Wildcats were picked to finish fifth in the Big 12’s preseason poll last October, they planned on going in with two 7-footers, some undersized power forwards and a veteran perimeter trio.
With the Wildcats’ first Big 12 season finally set to begin Monday when Arizona will host TCU, UA will go in with two 7-footers, a little more size at power forward and an extra point guard to join those veterans on the perimeter.
At least that’s how it was during Arizona’s nonconference wins over Samford and Central Michigan, the filling in of gaps created by the loss of 7-2 center Motiejus Krivas for what could be the long term.
Even though Krivas actually started only one game, on Nov. 22 against Duke, his absence first solidified the starting center job for Tennessee transfer Tobe Awaka. Krivas missed most of the preseason with pain in the ankle area of his foot, was cleared to start the season, and has been re-shelved since Dec. 14.
While the minutes for the 6-8 Awaka and 7-footer Henri Veesaar have largely remained the same, UA coach Tommy Lloyd also pulled the redshirt year of 7-foot freshman Emmanuel Stephen, and played him both against Samford and Central Michigan earlier this month.
Arizona center Emmanuel Stephen (34) forces Central Michigan forward Bryan Ndjonga (13) to hook up an awkward shot in the second half, Dec. 21, 2024.
That gave Lloyd two 7-footers once again to work with Awaka in the post, and Stephen responded to the opportunity by tipping in a difficult alley-oop pass against Samford — then collecting six points, six rebounds and a block against Central Michigan.
Calling Stephen a “whirling dervish,” Lloyd said his performance against the Chippewas was the best he’s ever seen. Lloyd said he was working on concepts that would get the most out of the mobile and talented but raw freshman from Nigeria.
For example, Stephen could become an alley-oop threat if a UA opponent deploys drop coverage, or dropping defenders off screens and into the paint.
“If they’re in drop coverage, you can kind of get behind your ball screens and he’s a guy who can go up and catch lobs,” Lloyd said. “But the biggest thing is going to probably be fight and fouls — if we need fight and there’s foul trouble, E-man’s a great guy to give an opportunity to.”
While Veesaar can play both post positions, Lloyd also shifted minutes at power forward to 6-8 freshman Carter Bryant, who started the season at small forward but is actually two inches taller than power forward starter Trey Townsend.
It’s not an easy shift. Lithuanian Paulius Murauskas tried to play both forward spots as a freshman last season, but never caught on at either and transferred to Saint Mary’s after the season.
“The four and three in our system can be a little confusing for a first-year player,” Lloyd said. “You know who had figured it out? A kid named Pelle Larsson. He figured it out with ease, so it was easy to do different things lineup wise with him. When Carter has a little more experience, I think we’ll be able to do that, as well.”
Now playing for the Miami Heat, Larsson was actually a UA sophomore in 2021-22 when he played both forward spots, but it was his first season under Lloyd — and his first as a forward after mostly playing point guard at Utah in 2020-21.
Asked about the shift, Bryant said all adjustments are hard for freshmen players, but he does have some advantages. For one thing, he cited the more veteran teammates around him, especially sophomore guard/forward KJ Lewis.
“He just doesn’t want me to lose confidence, so he’s been preaching life into me constantly, constantly breathing healthy and positive energy to me,” Bryant said of Lewis. “He’s been a large part of why the transition has been easy.”
Arizona forward Carter Bryant (9) shoots the ball over Southern Utah guard Jamir Simpson (3) during a game at McKale Center, Dec. 7, 2024.
For another thing, as many 6-8 high school stars are asked to do, Bryant has already played inside often, albeit at lower levels.
“It’s just being more physical,” Bryant said of being a college power forward. “I think I did a good job at the three being physical, but it’s taking the next step, whether it’s rebounding, defensively or offensively, getting down there and battling with the big fellas. I don’t really see it as adjustment.”
Fitting Bryant’s talent and versatility most efficiently into the rotation was one of Arizona’s bigger challenges this preseason. But after Bryant had three rebounds, three assists, a block and a steal in 13 minutes against Samford on Dec. 18, guard Caleb Love said Bryant’s shooting ability can help open space for driving lanes.
“Carter can do a lot of things on the floor,” Love said.
Lloyd also expressed optimism after that game.
“He’s finding his way,” Lloyd said. “Everyone runs their own race and I’m really confident Carter’s race is going to end up in a good place.”
In a way, the Wildcats’ changes without Krivas also prompted Lloyd to dish more minutes to point guard Conrad Martinez. Although he didn’t play at all against Duke, Oklahoma and West Virginia, Martinez logged five minutes against UCLA and 23 in two games since then. He had nine points while hitting 3 of 4 shots and five assists against Central Michigan.
Arizona guard Conrad Martinez (55) protects the ball he grabbed from Central Michigan guard Damarion Bonds (7) in the first half of their nonconference game at McKale Center, Dec. 21, 2024.
After that game, UA’s final nonconference contest of the season, Lloyd explained the entire trickle-down effect.
“Big Mo goes out, so that opens up an opportunity for Carter to get more minutes at the four or E-man to get a few more minutes at the five,” Lloyd said. “Then, when Carter goes to the four, that kind of opens up some opportunities in those three backcourt spots … So now maybe you can mix in Conrad here and there.
“And, listen, Conrad’s a young player, and I think you guys see he’s got something to him. I’ve always seen that. It’s just good that it’s happening in some of these games. Because I think now he’ll gain some confidence from that, and his teammates will gain confidence from that.”
