Watch: Best things Tommy Lloyd, Kerr Kriisa said leading up to Arizona-Oregon State game

The No. 3-ranked Arizona Wildcats are riding a six-game winning streak and now turn their focus to the Oregon schools, with a contest against the Oregon State Beavers slated for Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at McKale Center. 

OSU (3-20) is 1-12 in Pac-12 play and last in the conference standings, while the 22-2 Wildcats hold a three-game lead for first place. 

Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd and point guard Kerr Kriisa, who revealed he's nursing a left hand injury, held a news conference on Wednesday previewing the upcoming week; here's what they said: 

Kriisa handling thumb injury

“It hurts when I play. It hurts when I eat. It hurts.” — Kerr Kriisa on his left thumb injury pic.twitter.com/LF7QbSK30H

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) February 16, 2022

Not overlooking OSU

Will Arizona overlook last-place Oregon State on Thursday? “They better not,” says Tommy Lloyd. pic.twitter.com/VMUx2FCGZx

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) February 16, 2022

Overcoming sluggish starts

Tommy Lloyd on how Arizona has responded to slow starts over the last few games: pic.twitter.com/dsbg2ky7fV

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) February 16, 2022

Beavers' fall after Elite Eight run in 2021

Last season, Oregon State was in the Elite Eight. Now, the Beavers are in last place of the Pac-12 standings. So, what happened? “I don’t know specifically what happened, but I’m preparing for them to play their best game tomorrow.” — Tommy Lloyd pic.twitter.com/hKfJsNlJsF

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) February 16, 2022

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Handling national attention

“It’s not even a blip on my radar.” — Tommy Lloyd on receiving National Coach of the Year attention pic.twitter.com/J9YsAbooqw

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) February 17, 2022

Staying in the moment

Tommy Lloyd had no idea the Arizona-USC make-up game on March 1 started at 9 p.m. “@BrucePascoe, you’re breaking news to me.” pic.twitter.com/8mcmqvo59X

— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) February 17, 2022

Expectations for Cats before/during the season

“There were a lot of haters. Now they’re fans, I guess. Welcome to the fan club.” — @KerrKriisa on Arizona’s preseason expectations and how it’s changed throughout the season pic.twitter.com/JXkLxKI1EZ

— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) February 16, 2022

Learning about College GameDay

Kerr Kriisa had no idea what @CollegeGameDay was until Arizona teammate Jordan Mains explained it to him. pic.twitter.com/nyL8wVjEjG

— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) February 16, 2022

Lloyd's connection to OSU head coach Wayne Tinkle

Tommy Lloyd and Oregon State head coach Wayne Tinkle both come from the same neighborhood in Spokane. Tinkle’s sister was also the fourth-grade teacher of Lloyd’s kids. pic.twitter.com/gBCL928cRH

— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) February 16, 2022