Still running the mostly balanced offense that helped carry them to the No. 1 ranking earlier this season, Arizona has developed a statistical outlier.
That's because Caleb Love just keeps scoring.
The Wildcats’ transfer guard from North Carolina scored 53 points over Arizona’s two games last weekend to hit 2,000 points for his four-year college career, including a 20-point outburst in the first half of Arizona’s 91-75 win over Washington on Saturday, earning him the school’s nomination for Pac-12 Player of the Week.
Love didn’t win the weekly award, which went instead to Colorado’s KJ Simpson, but his scoring and the Wildcats’ success make him a top candidate for the Pac-12's Player of the Year award. Having scored 19 or more points in seven of his past nine games, Love is now averaging 21.44 points in conference games, just barely behind Washington’s Keion Brooks (21.53).
Love
Love also leads the Pac-12 in 3-pointers made in conference games, 3.31. He’s 10th in 3-point percentage at 38.8, but that number is still up markedly from the 30.8% he shot from 3 in ACC games last season.
Overall from the field in conference games this season, Love is shooting 45.7%, also up notably from the 35.6% he shot overall in ACC games last season.
So, while Love has attempted 24.3% of Arizona’s field goals in conference games, Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd isn’t complaining.
“He can score in bunches and I'm OK with it as long as he’s taking good shots,” Lloyd said. “He needs to take good team shots and his good team shots might be different than another player's good team shots. But for the for the most part, he's doing that and he's growing in that area.”
The first half of Arizona’s win Saturday may have showed how. Love took 10 of UA’s 34 shots — but made six of them, including 4 of 5 from 3-point range. Moreover, five of Love’s made field goals came off assists, and the other came after he rebounded a miss from center Oumar Ballo and put it back in.
“I’m trying to take great shots that my teammates create for me and that's what they did in the first half,” Love said. “Just taking the great ones, getting to the basket, taking catch-and-shoot 3s.”
Point forward
Another individual number that keeps jumping out for the Wildcats: Assists by wing Pelle Larsson, who had a combined 11 assists and zero turnovers between Arizona’s games with WSU and Washington last weekend.
Larsson now leads the Wildcats in assists (3.9) per Pac-12 game, with a 2.3-1 assist-turnover ratio, while he’s also tied with point guard Kylan Boswell in assists for all games (3.67) this season.
Though he’s more of a do-it-all wing player for Arizona who sometimes even guards big men, Larsson started at point guard late in his freshman season at Utah in 2020-21 and is now considered to have NBA point guard potential, one reason he’s now projected to become a high second-round pick next June.
Arizona's Pelle Larsson gestures after hitting a 3 against Washington on Saturday. Larsson had 11 assists and no turnovers last week and now leads UA in assists per game (3.9) in conference play.
“I think he's always been a been a willing passer, and he’s been a good passer,” Lloyd said. “I think he's developing into a great passer. In order to be a great passer, you’ve got to be able to see things a step ahead, and then you have to have enough discipline to turn down tough plays and find things a second later.
"I think he's really developing that with his poise. I'm comfortable with him coming off those ball screens.”
Wildcats drop to No. 6
Arizona dropped from No. 4 to No. 6 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll Monday after its home weekend split.
More significantly, the loss placed Arizona in what appears to be a close group of teams below the first three spots, and CBS' updated bracket projection Monday now has the Wildcats as a No. 2 NCAA Tournament seed.
In the computer metrics, UA is rated No. 4 in Kenpom and the NET, while Torvik has the Wildcats at No. 5.
Houston took over the top spot in the AP poll after UConn lost at Creighton and fell to No. 3. Purdue rose from No. 3 to No. 2. Tennessee is fourth, followed by Marquette. The fourth through 11th teams in the poll all have identical 21-6 records.
Among other UA opponents this season, Duke dropped to No. 10 from No. 8 after beating Miami but losing to Wake Forest, Alabama dropped to No. 14 from No. 13 after beating Florida but losing to Kentucky, and WSU rose from No. 21 to No. 19 after beating the Wildcats but losing at ASU.
Both ASU (14-14) and Washington (15-13) were among the vote-getters outside the Top 25. ASU has the 34th-most votes after being ranked No. 9 on a ballot this week. Arizona was No. 6 on that same ballot.
WSU’s Chinyelu Freshman of Week
The Pac-12 honored another Arizona nemesis Monday when Washington State’s Rueben Chinyelu was named its Freshman of the Week.
A center from Nigeria, Chinyelu came off the bench to post his first career double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds in WSU’s 77-74 win over Arizona last Thursday. He had four points and three rebounds in the Cougars’ 73=61 loss at ASU on Saturday.
Simpson picked up his first Pac-12 Player of the Week this season and third of his career after scoring 28 points on 67% shooting in Colorado’s 89-65 win over Utah.
Photos: Arizona takes down Washington 91-75, Pac 12 basketball
Washington forward Keion Brooks Jr. (1) tries to claw back a loose ball from Arizona guard KJ Lewis (5) in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona center Oumar Ballo (11) tries to get his hands on a rebound in front of Washington forward Wilhelm Breidenbach (32) in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona guard KJ Lewis (5) scoops his way past Washington guard Paul Mulcahy (9) for reverse lay up in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona forward Keshad Johnson (16) sends Washington guard Paul Mulcahy (9) flying as the two collide trying to get to an alley-oop pass from Arizona guard Caleb Love (2) in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona center Motiejus Krivas (14) gets a hand on Washington center Braxton Meah (34) trying to win a rebound in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona guard KJ Lewis (5) scoops his way past Washington guard Paul Mulcahy (9) for reverse lay up in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Washington forward Moses Wood (13) gets a hand on the ball as Arizona guard Jaden Bradley (0) drives into the lane in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd talks with one of the game officials during a timeout late in the second half against Washington at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona guard Pelle Larsson (3) gets wrapped up by Washington guard Nate Calmese (8) on a drive in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona forward Keshad Johnson (16) out jumps Washington forward Wilhelm Breidenbach (32), left, and forward Keion Brooks Jr. (1) to collect the offensive rebound in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona guard Pelle Larsson (3) gestures after nailing a three from the top of the key against Washington in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona forward Keshad Johnson (16) roars for the crowd after finishing off a fast break dunk against Washington in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd reacts after the Wildcat bench was assessed a technical foul for coming out on the floor following a basket against Washington in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Washington head coach Mike Hopkins encourages his Huskies after they make a stand against Arizona in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona guard Caleb Love (2) jars the ball out of the grip of Washington guard Paul Mulcahy (9) in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona guard Pelle Larsson (3) fights through the pick from Washington forward Wilhelm Breidenbach (32) to keep contact with forward Moses Wood (13) in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona forward Keshad Johnson (16) and Washington forward Keion Brooks Jr. (1) leap for a rebound in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona guard Caleb Love (2), left, and center Oumar Ballo (11) try to drag down a rebound against Washington center Braxton Meah (34) in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona center Oumar Ballo (11) backs in a basket past Washington center Braxton Meah (34) in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Washington forward Keion Brooks Jr. (1), left, picks up a goaltending foul on a shot from Arizona center Oumar Ballo (11) during the second half in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona guard Pelle Larsson (3) goes over the top of Washington forward Moses Wood (13) and guard Paul Mulcahy (9) for rebound in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona guard Kylan Boswell (4) reverses a lay up around Washington forward Wilhelm Breidenbach (32) during the second half in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona guard KJ Lewis (5) scoops his way to a reverse lay up in the second half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona guard Pelle Larsson (3) jostles with Washington forward Wilhelm Breidenbach (32), left, and forward Moses Wood (13) in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona forward Keshad Johnson (16) throws down a bucket over Washington forward Moses Wood (13) during the second half in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Washington center Braxton Meah (34), left, and forward Moses Wood (13) can’t keep Arizona center Oumar Ballo (11) from pulling in a rebound in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona center Motiejus Krivas (14) gets a clean dunk on Washington forward Wilhelm Breidenbach (32) in their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona guard Caleb Love (2) strips Washington guard Koren Johnson (0) trying to head straight up the lane in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona center Oumar Ballo (11) drops a soft shot over against Washington center Braxton Meah (34) in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Washington guard Paul Mulcahy (9) crashes into Arizona guard Jaden Bradley (0) on a Wildcat fast break in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Washington guard Anthony Holland (23) grabs Arizona forward Keshad Johnson (16) in attempt to keep him from a quick run to the bucket in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona guard Kylan Boswell (4) finds a crowd in the lane as he tries to drive for a score against Washington in the first half of their Pac 12 game at McKale Center, Tucson, Ariz., February 22, 2024.
Arizona guard Pelle Larsson throws down a dunk early against Washington on Saturday’s game, which started at noon at McKale Center. UA is next in action at ASU on Wednesday night.
VIDEO: Arizona men's basketball coach Tommy Lloyd speaks to Pelle Larsson's passing ability and overall playmaking after the Wildcats defeated Washington on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, at McKale Center. (Courtesy Arizona Athletics)
VIDEO: Arizona men's basketball coach Tommy Lloyd speaks on Saturday, Feb, 24, 2024, to his interaction with Guard Kylan Boswell during the Wildcats win over Washington that same day at McKale Center. (Courtesy Arizona Athletics)
VIDEO: Arizona men's basketball coach Tommy Lloyd speaks on Saturday, Feb, 24, 2024, on the Wildcats getting back into the win column that same day against Washington, two days after the then- No. 4 Wildcats fell to then No. 21 Washington State. (Courtesy Arizona Athletics)
VIDEO: Arizona men's basketball coach Tommy Lloyd speaks to star Caleb Love's impact on the Wildcats this season after Arizona defeated Washington on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, at McKale Center. (Courtesy Arizona Athletics)
