Arizona men’s basketball coach Tommy Lloyd remained composed and reflective after the Wildcats suffered their first defeat of the season, an 82–78 loss to Kansas at Allen Fieldhouse. Instead of pointing to officiating or outside factors, Lloyd framed the result as a meaningful early-season lesson and praised Kansas for earning the win in one of college basketball’s most challenging venues.
Lloyd credited the Jayhawks for their second-half execution, noting how they stayed poised during Arizona runs and took control when the game tightened. He emphasized that winning at Allen Fieldhouse is difficult for any team, regardless of ranking or record. With Kansas coach Bill Self owning a dominant home record in marquee matchups, Lloyd said Arizona understood from the outset that it would take a near-perfect performance to leave Lawrence with a victory.
Lloyd Downplays Absences and Officiating While Highlighting Physicality and Interior Execution Issues
One potential storyline Lloyd quickly dismissed was Kansas playing without Darryn Peterson, who was ruled out shortly before tipoff due to illness. Lloyd said Arizona made no adjustments based on Peterson’s absence and insisted the focus should remain on Kansas’ performance. He described the Jayhawks as deep, well-coached, and capable regardless of who is in the lineup, adding that Peterson’s absence should not overshadow the significance of Kansas beating the nation’s top-ranked team at home.
Tommy Lloyd (NBA)Officiating was another topic Lloyd declined to criticize, even though Kansas attempted 11 more free throws. He reiterated that Arizona is built to handle physical play and that dwelling on referees does nothing to improve outcomes. In hostile environments like Allen Fieldhouse, he explained, officials allow physicality in the paint, and teams must be able to finish through contact and keep playing.
Lloyd identified Arizona’s struggles near the rim as a decisive factor in the loss. The Wildcats, usually efficient finishers inside, failed to convert enough opportunities and did not draw fouls at their typical rate. Kansas center Flory Bidunga played a major role, as Lloyd praised his rim protection and ability to disrupt drives. Kansas also benefited from timely interior scores, loose-ball recoveries, and strong free-throw shooting late in the game.
Execution, Environment, and Perspective Shape Lloyd’s Take on Arizona’s First Loss Season
According to Lloyd, the second half was not decided by dramatic strategic changes but by execution on a possession-by-possession basis. Arizona had chances to build momentum, but Kansas consistently responded. The Jayhawks attacked downhill, earned trips to the line, and managed the clock effectively once they gained a small lead.
Lloyd also spoke highly of the atmosphere at Allen Fieldhouse, calling it an exceptional environment that genuinely affects games. He compared the impact of Kansas’ crowd to the advantage Arizona enjoys at McKale Center, stressing that passionate fans can swing momentum and make communication and execution more difficult for visiting teams.
Despite the disappointment of losing an undefeated record, Lloyd made it clear he was not upset. He described the loss as a valuable benchmark that reveals where improvement is needed. Games like this, he said, demand toughness, patience, and the ability to play through adversity without losing focus.
Lloyd closed by expressing optimism rather than frustration. He said he was eager to return home and get back to work, explaining that moments like this often sharpen a team’s identity. For Arizona, the loss was not a setback to dwell on, but a starting point for the next stage of the season, one built on accountability, resilience, and growth.
