Watch: Best things Tommy Lloyd said after No. 3 Arizona's win over Oregon

For the previous seven matchups, Oregon was Arizona's kryptonite. 

The third-ranked Wildcats outlasted the Ducks 84-81 Saturday night at McKale Center and moved to 24-2 on the season. 

Arizona shot 53% from the field and 48% from 3-point range en route to the win and were led by guard Bennedict Mathurin, who finished the night with 24 points, seven rebounds and five assists. 

With second-ranked Auburn falling to Florida on Saturday, Arizona will most likely move up one spot in the Associated Press Top 25 poll alongside the top-ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs, the team Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd assisted under Mark Few for 22 years. 

After the UA-Oregon game, Lloyd discussed the benefits of the win over Oregon and what it means to be alongside Gonzaga heading into the final stretch of the regular season; here's what he said: 

Embracing close, hard-fought battles

“When you end up in them, you welcome it.” — Tommy Lloyd on Arizona finally getting into a nail-biter pic.twitter.com/AD4HiAnZ5A

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) February 20, 2022

Message to the Wildcats after beating Oregon

Tommy Lloyd on his message to Arizona after the win over Oregon: pic.twitter.com/IXKG5zwRHy

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) February 20, 2022

Perks of nail-biters

Tommy Lloyd on the benefits of Arizona playing in close games: “Live bullets are a great teaching tool.” pic.twitter.com/pDGoYoJwmv

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) February 20, 2022

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Giving Kerr Kriisa the green light

“‘If you got a 28-footer, let ‘er rip.’” — Tommy Lloyd on his message to Kerr Kriisa, who made a clutch 3-pointer late in Arizona’s 84-81 win over Oregon pic.twitter.com/KH1UYKiP2L

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) February 20, 2022

Ducks' best shot

Tommy Lloyd expected Oregon’s best game plan especially after the Ducks’ loss to ASU. pic.twitter.com/wwucFS9092

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) February 20, 2022

Overcoming Oregon's tough defense

Tommy Lloyd on Oregon’s “handsy” defense against Arizona, which forced 9 steals: pic.twitter.com/KHmXGMeqBm

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) February 20, 2022

Sticking to the script

“I was proud of guys for hanging in there and finding a way to win a close game. We haven’t had a lot of those.” — Tommy Lloyd after No. 3 Arizona’s 84-81 win over Oregon pic.twitter.com/4T9BS2fi7d

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) February 20, 2022

Side-by-side with the former team

Gonzaga and Arizona will be the top-two teams in the AP poll on Monday. What does that mean for Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd, who spent the previous 22 years with the Zags? “Weird. Cool. Awesome. … They’re family and I think they’re happy for us.” pic.twitter.com/aGGz9aPNlg

— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) February 20, 2022