Arizona men’s basketball is back on the road after a surprising 84‑75 loss to UCLA in the season opener – the first opening‑day defeat in two decades. Coach Tommy Lloyd emphasized that the setback is not the end of the season, calling it a potential catalyst for improvement.
Key points for Thursday’s home game
On Thursday night, No. 5 Arizona will host Cal Poly at the ALKEME Arena inside the McKale Center. The Wildcats are favored by 25 points according to KenPom.com, but several lineup decisions could shape the outcome.
Starting lineup concerns: With RJ Godfrey still ineligible, freshman Bryce James has been thrust into the starting role by default. James logged only six minutes in the UCLA loss, scoring no points and recording a single assist. Lloyd has indicated that James’ start helps set rotations, but the limited production suggests he is not yet a scoring threat.
Bench contributions: In the UCLA game, reserve JJ Mandaquit was the only bench player to score, hitting a three‑pointer while going 1‑for‑6 overall. He also added six assists and two rebounds in 32 minutes, a workload that exceeded expectations due to Cameron Holmes’ stage‑fright‑induced early exit.
Freshman impact: Freshman Maksim Brnovic posted three rebounds and an assist in 11 minutes, missing his only shot. By contrast, 4‑star prospect Cameron Holmes saw 11 minutes, scored one point on two attempts, and posted a –19 plus/minus, the worst on the team.
Veteran presence: Center Ugnius Jarusevicius provided six minutes of relief for starter Motiejus Krivas, while senior Caleb Holt contributed seven points and seven rebounds in 27 minutes, though his foul trouble and inconsistent play were noted.
Lloyd reminded his players that a single game does not define a season or an individual’s college career. “We have to keep moving, stay committed to each other, and make this the best experience possible,” he said.
Looking ahead to Cal Poly
Cal Poly entered the season with a 16‑point win over Division II Cal State‑San Marcos. The Mustangs favor a fast‑paced, up‑tempo style, averaging 74 possessions per 40 minutes last season – the nation’s highest. Their offensive possessions last only 14.5 seconds on average, resulting in 82.1 points per game, though shooting efficiency was modest at 43.3% and turnovers approached 20% of possessions.
Defensively, Cal Poly allowed 85 points per game. Their leading scorer, 6‑foot‑8 Hamad Mousa, posted 18 points in the opener and averaged 20.4 points last season.
Arizona’s strength has traditionally been balanced scoring. Under Lloyd, the Wildcats have recorded 30 games with at least five players reaching double figures, a factor that contributed to success during Caleb Love’s tenure as primary scorer. Maintaining that spread will be crucial against a high‑tempo Cal Poly team.
What to watch for
- Whether Bryce James can translate his starter status into meaningful minutes and production.
- How the bench, especially JJ Mandaquit and Cameron Holmes, responds after limited roles against UCLA.
- If the Wildcats can impose their balanced scoring approach against Cal Poly’s rapid offensive tempo.
- Coach Lloyd’s adjustments on defense to counter Cal Poly’s quick possessions.
The game offers Arizona a chance to rebound from an early disappointment and re‑establish its status as a top‑ranked program heading into a challenging non‑conference slate that includes Auburn, UConn, and the Maui Invitational.
Original reporting: Arizona Desert Swarm (Tucson Sports) — read the source article.
