SAN JOSE, Calif. — Amidst conjectures he might be a potential contender for the open position at North Carolina, Tommy Lloyd, Arizona’s head coach, maintained his entire focus remains on his team as the top-seeded Wildcats get ready for their Sweet 16 match on Thursday against No. 4 seed Arkansas.
“I already possess one of the nation’s premier coaching roles,” Lloyd stated. “A consistent topic of discussion within our program — and I believe I’ve improved in this aspect, and I feel our squad has been excelling this season — is simply the aptitude to maintain complete concentration and live in the current instant.”
However, Lloyd refrained from disclaiming any desire for the UNC position, which opened up on Tuesday after Hubert Davis was relieved of his duties subsequent to the Tar Heels’ elimination in the initial round of the NCAA tournament.
“I believe we possess an opportunity to progress in this competition match by match, yet I am not unrealistic,” Lloyd commented. “I am aware we might face defeat tomorrow, however, this squad merits my complete attention. Consequently, nothing will divert me from my current trajectory. My concentration is entirely on Arizona basketball and this athletic department, and I eagerly anticipate the tip-off tomorrow, and then look forward to devising a strategy to emerge victorious.”
During his fifth year leading Arizona, Lloyd has amassed a win-loss record of 146-35, along with three regular-season conference championships and three conference tournament championships, covering the Wildcats’ participation in both the Pac-12 and Big 12 conferences. He earned the title of AP national coach of the year in 2022 and was named the Big 12 Coach of the Year during the current season.