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.

 Kelly Presnell, Arizona Daily Star

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.

β€œWe got β€˜em up, did some stretching, some movement,” UA athletic trainer Justin Kokoskie said. β€œThen some films and pregame prep.”

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 β€œno.”

Arizona guard Caleb Love (2) attracts a lot of microphones as he answers questions in front of his locker following the Wildcats’ second-round win against Dayton in the NCAA Tournament in Salt Lake City on Saturday, March 23, 2024.

Johnson noted with a religious tone that the Wildcats are playing for something β€œbigger than ourselves,” while Love said it is also about honoring former Wildcats, something UA coach Tommy Lloyd has spoken about often over the past year.

β€œI don’t really think we’re really looking to put our best foot forward for the Pac-12,” Love said. β€œI think this is for ourselves as far as us trying to win a national championship.

β€œThe Pac-12’s 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 we’ve got a sense of … the people that played before us.”

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.

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.

Holmes’ decision looms

Dayton star forward DaRon Holmes still has a year left to play college basketball, but it’s 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 he’s likely to become a second-round pick or sign a two-way contract if he declares for the draft.

But Holmes said before Saturday’s game he wouldn’t decide until after the season, while Dayton coach Anthony Grant said he’s β€œ100%” behind whatever way Holmes goes.

β€œThat guy’s been a joy to coach,” Grant said. β€œI wish I could have him for another five years, another 10 years.

β€œI get calls from NBA teams and scouts who ask me, `Is he as good a kid as it seems?’ Yeah, he is, man. He’s about all the right stuff. He’s all about team. He’s all about hard work. He’s all about character. He’s all about caring for other people.

β€œSo whatever is best for him, I’m on that train. Sign me up.”

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.

β€œEverything. All the moments,” Holmes said. β€œThe wins, losses, getting here to March is something we’ve dreamed of, especially for the city of Dayton. It’s been a minute.”

Added guard Koby Brea: β€œThis 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 it’s a big accomplishment for us and for the university and the whole community of Dayton, because we know that they’re behind us.”

The big number

29.2 β€” Dayton’s 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

β€œMaybe you say he’s biding his time, but when you’re on an elite team, guys have to make sacrifices. That’s the only way it works. … J.B.’s character is so high. He’s an absolute winner. β€œ β€” UA coach Tommy Lloyd on reserve guard Jaden Bradley

After a late push in the second half to solidify their lead, Arizona defeated Dayton, 78-68, to advance to the Sweet Sixteen. (March Madness YouTube)

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Contact sports reporter Bruce Pascoe at bpascoe@tucson.com.

On X (Twitter): @brucepascoe