The Arizona Wildcats men’s basketball team returned to Tucson after a season‑opening loss in Las Vegas and secured a 104‑84 triumph over Cal Poly on Saturday. The win marked the program’s first victory of the 2026‑27 campaign and the first win since the Elite Eight triumph over Purdue in March.
Key performances
Freshmen Caleb Holt and Cameron Holmes combined for 34 points, providing the spark the Wildcats needed. Senior guard Motiejus Krivas posted a career‑high 30 points, anchoring the offense and helping the team build a comfortable lead early in the game.
Coach Lloyd’s take
Head coach Tommy Lloyd said the win was a step forward for a team still figuring out its identity. “Obviously we’re happy to get the win, and we don’t make light of any win. Cal Poly presented a lot of challenges with the relentlessness they played with. When you’re willing to shoot that many threes from that many positions, they can stack up on you,” Lloyd explained. He added that the experience should serve as a foundation for growth: “We’re still a team trying to figure it out a little bit. There’s hopefully some growth today, and I think all these experiences are kind of stacking, and hopefully provide a great foundation of learning.”
Emphasis on fundamentals
Lloyd stressed the importance of hustle, loose balls and rebounding, noting that those areas often determine the outcome of games. “Loose balls and rebounding are what help you get stops and prevent the team from scoring, and they help you get extra possessions and help you score,” he said. He acknowledged that the Wildcats have struggled in those areas at times but expressed confidence that the team will improve with continued focus.
Developing freshman confidence
Regarding the freshman duo, Lloyd praised their effort and highlighted the need for continued development. “They’re freshmen, so no matter how you slice and dice it, it’s their second official game at this level. There’s a lot of positive things to build on, and I’m sure there’s going to be a few questionable decisions that we can learn from as well,” he said. He also addressed Holmes’ defensive play, urging him to settle into the system: “I hope defensively he kind of settles in and kind of quits making up his own rules. It’s not from a lack of effort; we just have a plan for a reason.”
Looking ahead
The Wildcats will aim to build on this momentum as they head into their next Big 12 matchup. Lloyd noted that the team is still searching for its identity but remains optimistic. “We’re fighting for our identity right now, and I feel like we gotta keep at it, keep at it, keep at it, and then that feeling is going to come,” he said.
Overall, the win over Cal Poly gave Arizona a much‑needed confidence boost and a clear direction for the early part of the season. Fans can look forward to seeing how the Wildcats translate this early success into sustained performance in conference play.
Original reporting: Arizona Desert Swarm (Tucson Sports) — read the source article.
