Arizona’s basketball team, ranked No. 17, faced a disappointing defeat against No. 12 Duke, losing 69-55 on Friday night at the McKale Center. This marks Arizona’s second consecutive loss, a rare occurrence under head coach Tommy Lloyd, and the first time the Wildcats have dropped back-to-back games since the 2020-21 season.
Throughout the game, Arizona struggled offensively, shooting only 39.6 percent from the field and a mere 26.1 percent from three-point range. The team experienced multiple scoring droughts, failing to make a field goal for over two minutes on at least four occasions. Additionally, the Wildcats were significantly outrebounded by the Blue Devils, losing the battle on the boards 45-32 and committing 15 turnovers that led to 19 points for Duke.
Jaden Bradley was Arizona’s standout player, scoring 18 points, while KJ Lewis contributed 12. Duke’s freshman sensation, Cooper Flagg, shined with 22 points, including a significant contribution in the second half. The Blue Devils outperformed Arizona from beyond the arc, hitting 9 of their 25 three-point attempts, while Arizona only managed six offensive rebounds, a stark contrast to their impressive start to the season.
At halftime, Duke held a 34-27 lead, effectively closing the half with four consecutive shots while keeping Arizona scoreless for the last 2:55. After the break, Arizona briefly cut into Duke’s lead but encountered another scoring drought that allowed Duke to extend their advantage again. Despite a momentary offensive spark following a timeout called by Lloyd, Arizona struggled to yield results in the closing minutes, ultimately managing only one field goal in the last 5:39 of play.
As Arizona prepares to compete next week in the Battle4Atlantis tournament in the Bahamas, they will look to bounce back and regain their momentum. The Wildcats will open the tournament against Davidson on Wednesday, hoping to reverse their fortunes and get back on track.
The team’s prospects remain bright; with upcoming games, there’s ample opportunity for Arizona to regroup and demonstrate resilience, a quality they have shown throughout Tommy Lloyd’s tenure.