Christian Koloko points toward his mother, who made the trip from Cameroon to see her son play for the first time. "This is for her," he said over the PA.
At his predraft interview today, Deandre Ayton said Arizona fans “had my back” after ESPN report named him as part of a pay-for-play discussion. When asked what his message to UA fans was, Ayton said “I love you guys.”
Wasn't fun having to prepare this story in recent months, but Lute Olson's life story was something else, not to mention what he did on the floor, for the University of Arizona and for Tucson.
Tommy Lloyd said on his radio show that he spent time with Steve Kerr in the offseason and picked up some advice. "He told me how you treat (players) is a lot more important than the angle of your backscreens," Lloyd said.
Tommy Lloyd opens first-ever in-season Arizona radio show by addressing fans on hand at Union Public House "I love being your head coach," he said. "Love being in Tucson. It's been an awesome transition."
Sean and Amy Miller are giving a donation to Boys and Girls Club to pay for new air conditioning in the gym and resurfaced floor. The floor will be named for them.
At prompting of Matt Muehlebach, Bill Walton gives a shout out to Arizona on Pac-12 Networks broadcast, saying he hopes things "get worked out" because UA fans "are the economic engine of the conference of champions."
Tommy Lloyd, Kerr Kriisa and the Tubelis brothers have arrived at Lo-Lo's. Lloyd said he was going to go to New York but decided to stay in Arizona for Terry's party while Jack Murphy is in NYC with Benn Mathurin and Steve Robinson is with Christian Koloko in Los Angeles.
UA alums Fahad Alraisi (left) of Oman and Abrahim Alraisi (right) of UAE made the trek to Etihad Arena to root for Wildcats along w Alowais’ son Rashad. “He’s a future Wildcat,” Abrahim said of Rashad.
UCLA's appearance in the Final Four means Pac-12 teams will collect a total of $38.4 million over the next six seasons because of the Pac-12's collective NCAA Tournament success, or $3.2 million per team.
Tommy Lloyd has traveled to Flagstaff this evening to be on hand to watch his son, Liam, play for NAU against Northern Colorado in Lumberjacks' final home game of the season.
Washington coach Mike Hopkins also upset about Pac-12 teams not getting much buzz over postseason bids. "The fact that Colorado also has to get another win to get off the bubble is a joke," he said.
Minor surprise in Wildcats’ near-sweep of Pac-12 season awards: Pelle Larsson earns Sixth Man of Year, plus Tommy Lloyd as Coach of Year, Bennedict Mathurin as Player of Year, Christian Koloko and Defensive POY and Most Improved. Mathurin, Koloko, Azuolas Tubellis on 1st team.
Nico Mannion cut to two schools last week and was scheduled to visit Marquette on Oct 5-7... until he decided to commit to Arizona today. First commit of UA 2019 class is a big one.
Devonaire Doutrive signed his letter-of-intent to play for Arizona tonight, his guardian said, making him the first official member of UA's new 2018 recruiting class.
Sean Miller thanks seniors Ryan Luther and Justin Coleman, and UA fans. "It has been an amazing honor to coach in McKale Center for the last 10 years," he said to the crowd. "Thank you for everything."
Arizona president Robert Robbins on Sean Miller agreeing to $1 million penalty if he is charged with a crime or found guilty of Level I NCAA violation: "He put his money where his mouth was."
Sean Miller has left Eugene and will not travel back in team charter tonight. If he's been fired, that's not clear here. Two US team officials said they have no idea if things have changed.
Sean Elliott, being interviewed on the Suns pregame show, asked about Deandre Ayton being picked higher than Elliott was (as No. 3) out of Arizona: "I'm proud of him. It keeps our program on the map."
In an unprecedented move at UA, Sean Miller also introduces Deandre Ayton, Rawle Alkins and Allonzo Trier at the end of Senior Day ceremonies since they're leaving too. "It's the right thing to do," Miller said.
Several Indiana Pacers players expected on hand today at McKale for Benn Mathurin's Ring of Honor halftime ceremony. Mathurin, T.J. McConnell, Andrew Nembhard and Buddy Hield came out to watch Wildcats play at Utah last season when they had game with Jazz the following night.
After being waived by the Philadelphia 76ers, Azuolas Tubelis is heading home to play in Lithuania. He signed a three-year deal, according to 15min. Details:
Caught Sean Miller briefly in the hallway. While obviously excited about Ayton, he said he was disappointed Rawle Alkins and Allonzo Trier have not been picked yet. "But the one thing about the NBA is if you can play, you'll find your way and those guys will," he said.
Brandon Randolph, Ira Lee and Emmanuel Akot all say they're coming back next season. Akot said he won't even test the NBA draft. Arizona has six players lined up for 2018-19 roster as of now.
And a warning of sorts for Tucson motorists: Kerr Kriisa has been seen at the Arizona MVD. "I think Kerr's a better shooter than driver, so beware," Lloyd said.
Arizona's Bennedict Mathurin named to the Wooden Award midseason watch list of 25 players (he was not named to the preseason list of 50 players). Announcements are on ESPNU now.
Arizona's Tommy Lloyd has been named a court coach for USA Basketball's U18 Americas team. Court coaches will run players through training camp in Houston. Colorado's Tad Boyle will be the team's head coach.
Oregon students being told via dry erase board to not reveal signs until game time (probably so they won't get confiscated). One has a "100 Grand" bar, one a check to Deandre Ayton and of course there's a U of Pay sign. One guy is wearing a black sportcoat w FBI taped in green.
Richard Jefferson is now working for ESPN, YES Network and now Pac-12 Networks. While he was watching Cal Poly warm up, I asked him why he didn't take a year off before all of that. "This is the year off," Jefferson said, smiling. "This isn't work."
Turns out, new Arizona commit Kerr Kriisa was named after Steve Kerr. It's just the Estonian guard had no idea that his namesake actually played for the Wildcats once.
Arizona has risen from No. 6 to No. 3 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll. Tommy Lloyd called this possibility "rat poison" after UA beat Utah on Saturday.
Larsson's news was not surprising, nor was the long list of people he thanked. Always thoughtful and seemed to appreciate being a part of Arizona basketball as much as any player in recent memory.
Deandre Ayton will be at McKale tonight so Arizona can "re-honor" him for making its Ring of Honor. A ceremony was held at Red-Blue Game for Ayton and Jerryd Bayless, but only Bayless was able to attend. Ayton qualified by being the Pac-12 POY; Bayless for his 10 years in NBA
Fresno’s Jalen Green, the top-rated player in class of 2020, poses with Kevin Durant after USA Basketball’s senior mini-camp practice. A UA recruiting target, Green led USA in a romp through the U17 World Cup earlier this summer.
Former Dayton standout and NBA Draft prospect DaRon Holmes and Dayton coach Anthony Grant enjoy a laugh at Section 7 while Cam Holmes and Millennium play.
Deandre Ayton tells SVP on SportsCenter that he thinks Sean Miller "would sweat more than me," and that going No. 1 in NBA Draft "would mean a lot... but first I want to win a lot of games at Arizona."
George Kalil’s usual seat is occupied by a tribute and a drum he used to beat at Arizona games. The UA super fan and bottling exec passed away in July.
Arizona releases the NCAA Notice of Allegations, revealing four Level I charges against men's basketball (including a lack of head coach responsibility against Sean Miller). ESPN's lawsuit forced the school to release it to those of us who filed FOIAs.
Congratulations to
@APlayersProgram
's center Dusan Ristic voted
#Pac12Hoops
Player of the Week and on becoming the 52nd member of Arizona's 1,000-point club! More:
James Akinjo posted at 12:05 a.m. PST on Instagram a picture of him wearing an Arizona jersey, while saying he is "1000 percent committed... turn me up."
Arizona Regents have called a special board meeting for Thursday "for legal advice and discussion regarding University of Arizona men’s basketball and the multiple-year employment contract for the head men’s
basketball coach."
Tommy Lloyd just left Dalen Terry's draft party, saying he wanted to go watch to see how Christian Koloko does. Asked if he was surprised to see Terry go 18, Lloyd said "I heard a lot of crazy stuff, but I didn't want to get my hopes up."