Under head coach Tommy Lloyd, the Arizona Wildcats have built a reputation for bouncing back after tough losses. However, that streak came to an end as the No. 17 Wildcats faced No. 12 Duke and suffered a 69-55 defeat at McKale Center, marking their first back-to-back losses since Lloyd took the helm.
Arizona’s shooting struggles were evident throughout the game, with the team finishing at 39.6 percent from the field and a mere 26.1 percent from beyond the arc. Their performance was affected by extended scoring droughts, including a stretch of over two minutes without a basket on multiple occasions. Compounding their difficulties, the Wildcats were out-rebounded by 13 and committed 15 turnovers, which allowed Duke to capitalize and score 19 points off those mistakes.
Jaden Bradley led the way for Arizona, contributing 18 points, while KJ Lewis added 12. Meanwhile, Duke’s standout freshman Cooper Flagg was instrumental in the Blue Devils’ victory, scoring 22 points with a significant 14 of those coming in the second half. Duke displayed effective shooting as well, converting 42.6 percent of their shots, including 9 out of 25 from three-point range.
The Wildcats found scoring particularly challenging, achieving just 27 points at halftime—their lowest first-half total since January 2023. A brief resurgence at the start of the second half was short-lived, as a series of offensive lulls allowed Duke to maintain control of the game.
Despite the challenges, Arizona showed resilience at times, narrowing the gap to 50-43 after a strong offensive effort following a timeout. However, Duke quickly responded with critical three-point shots, pushing their lead back to double digits. The Wildcats struggled to convert down the stretch, managing only one field goal in the last five and a half minutes.
Arizona’s next matchup will take place on the road at the Battle4Atlantis in Nassua, Bahamas, where they will have the opportunity to regroup. Their opening contest against Davidson will certainly test the Wildcats’ resolve and ability to bounce back from consecutive defeats.
Optimistically, this tournament could serve as a catalyst for Arizona to regain their rhythm and build momentum for the rest of the season. With the right adjustments, they can turn these recent challenges into learning experiences, looking to emerge stronger as a team.