Fans stand for the national anthem just before the tip-off of the NCAA West Regional game between Arizona and Dayton in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 23, 2024. The game began at 10:45 a.m. local time.
Arizona guard Caleb Love (2) attracts a lot of microphones as he answers questions in front of his locker following the Wildcatsβ second-round win against Dayton in the NCAA Tournament in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 23, 2024.
Arizona guard Pelle Larsson (3) makes his way past Dayton forward DaRon Holmes II (15) and guard Enoch Cheeks (6) on a baseline drive in their round-of-32 game in the West Region of the NCAA Tournament in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 23, 2024.
SALT LAKE CITY β Forced to flex their lineup and style to beat Dayton on the court Saturday, the Arizona Wildcats also proved adaptable to the time of day.
The Wildcats tipped off at 10:45 a.m. local time, their earliest of the season, forcing them to wake up at 7 a.m. and get going.
They appeared to have no problem with it.
βWe got βem up, did some stretching, some movement,β UA athletic trainer Justin Kokoskie said. βThen some films and pregame prep.β
In between all that, the Wildcats also ate breakfast.
By 10 a.m, they were holding a spirited alley-oop dunk session at the Delta Center before their game. By 11 a.m, they were getting in the way of a Dayton team that began with 3-for-10 shooting and hit just 35.5% at halftime.
No Pac-12 flag
When Caleb Love and Keshad Johnson were asked if they felt they were representing the Pac-12 and its last hurrah, the answer was pretty much βno.β
Johnson noted with a religious tone that the Wildcats are playing for something βbigger than ourselves,β while Love said it is also about honoring former Wildcats, something UA coach Tommy Lloyd has spoken about often over the past year.
βI donβt really think weβre really looking to put our best foot forward for the Pac-12,β Love said. βI think this is for ourselves as far as us trying to win a national championship.
βThe Pac-12βs got great history and all. Also, for Coach Lloyd, we want to probably make a statement for him, going into the Big 12 next year. And then I think weβve got a sense of β¦ the people that played before us.β
Luck of Lauri
The Utah Jazz were out of town by necessity during the first weekend of the NCAA Tournament, but maybe their standout forward left some good vibes behind.
Lauri Markkanen helped the Wildcats win two NCAA Tournament games at the Delta Center in 2017 and became an NBA All-Star in the building after joining the Jazz last season following stints with the Bulls and Cavaliers.
Holmesβ decision looms
Dayton star forward DaRon Holmes still has a year left to play college basketball, but itβs not certain if he will.
The junior from Goodyear is rated the No. 53 NBA Draft prospect and No. 28 prospect in the NCAA Tournament, according to ESPN, suggesting heβs likely to become a second-round pick or sign a two-way contract if he declares for the draft.
But Holmes said before Saturdayβs game he wouldnβt decide until after the season, while Dayton coach Anthony Grant said heβs β100%β behind whatever way Holmes goes.
βThat guyβs been a joy to coach,β Grant said. βI wish I could have him for another five years, another 10 years.
βI get calls from NBA teams and scouts who ask me, `Is he as good a kid as it seems?β Yeah, he is, man. Heβs about all the right stuff. Heβs all about team. Heβs all about hard work. Heβs all about character. Heβs all about caring for other people.
βSo whatever is best for him, Iβm on that train. Sign me up.β
Good times
Even after their loss, Dayton players expressed gratefulness for their time together, dating back to an exhibition trip to Spain and France last summer.
βEverything. All the moments,β Holmes said. βThe wins, losses, getting here to March is something weβve dreamed of, especially for the city of Dayton. Itβs been a minute.β
Added guard Koby Brea: βThis is at the top of my list, being in this tournament and being able to compete in this kind of environment with my brothers, my family. I feel look itβs a big accomplishment for us and for the university and the whole community of Dayton, because we know that theyβre behind us.β
The big number
29.2 β Daytonβs 3-point shooting percentage. The Flyers entered the game with the third-best 3-point shooting percentage in the country (40.2) and were 8 for 19 (42.1%) on Thursday against Nevada.
Quotable
βMaybe you say heβs biding his time, but when youβre on an elite team, guys have to make sacrifices. Thatβs the only way it works. β¦ J.B.βs character is so high. Heβs an absolute winner. β β UA coach Tommy Lloyd on reserve guard Jaden Bradley
Photos: Arizona and Dayton on the day off before their round of 32 game in the west region of the NCAA Tournament