With Tommy Lloyd’s extension announced, focus turns to Michigan

INDIANAPOLIS – With 1997 came memorable moments on our cultural landscape. “Titanic” became the highest-grossing film of all time, a 21-year-old Tiger Woods won the Masters and Netflix was founded, forever changing our viewing habits.

 It was also the last time Arizona men’s basketball hoisted the national championship trophy.

Led by Miles Simon, Michael Dickerson and Mike Bibby, the No. 4 seed Wildcats defeated blue-blood Kentucky in an overtime showdown, further cementing themselves as a pillar of men’s college basketball. And here they are, back in Indianapolis, the site of their last national championship, and sit two wins away from repeating greatness. 

Excitement for the Wildcats could be felt throughout the city and at Lucas Oil Stadium Friday. It could be felt at Arizona’s open practice, where fans cheered coach Tommy Lloyd and the news that he had signed an extension to stay in Tucson.

In its way to a title stands No. 1 seed Michigan, the team it faces in an NCAA championship semifinal Saturday, and one that sat just behind the Wildcats in the rankings for the majority of the season. The Wolverines, who stand as the current No. 1 team in KenPom’s rankings, have made a habit of making quick work of quality opponents this season, blitzing San Diego State and Gonzaga by 40 and Auburn and USC by 30.

“They beat up on Gonzaga pretty good, and that doesn’t happen very often,” said Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd, previously a longtime Bulldogs assistant. “When they did that, that obviously got my attention.”

During the Men’s NCAA Tournament, it’s been more of the same. After taking care of business against No. 16 seed Howard, the Wolverines have become accustomed to putting games to bed early. Michigan won by 23 in its Round of 32 game against No. 9 seed Saint Louis, 13 in its Sweet 16 game against No. 4 seed Alabama and 33 in its Elite Eight game against No. 6 seed Tennessee.

Arizona is no stranger to this either. Winners of their last 13, the Wildcats have won all of their tournament matchups by double digits, including scoring a 109 points against No. 4 seed Arkansas. A second-half turnaround against No. 2 seed Purdue saw them go from down seven to leading by as much as 18, pushing the Wildcats to their first Final Four since 2001.

With Lloyd inking a five-year extension Friday, all distractions are out the window. Once Lloyd announced his decision to stay, there was an ease in the building, any lingering tension of him leaving for the North Carolina job gone. It’s winning time. 

“It’s not about me; it’s about everyone that identifies with that block A,” Lloyd said. “To me, that’s the driving force, and … for me it’s to be able to deliver for them and be an entity that our community can rally around and feel good about.”

To come out on top and reach the national championship will, in a way, require the Wildcats to beat themselves. Michigan and Arizona match each other’s style. Both play big and physical, carrying the top two defenses on KenPom. The two rosters carry elite threats in both guard and big play, with no holes seeping through. 

“I feel like from their top five to our bench players, I feel like we’re very similar,” Arizona guard Jaden Bradley said. “They’re very physical, and we’re physical. We’re a bigger team. They’re a bigger team … Elliot (Cadeau) is an elite point guard, loves finding his teammates, and when they need a bucket, he can go get one, and I feel like I can do the same for my team. So I feel like we’re just playing a version of ourselves. So it’s gonna be fun.”

Both teams fill a good balance of young and old, with talented younger guys mixed with well-established vets who understand the system to a T. 

“When we watch them, we see ourselves, other than a few stylistic differences,” Michigan coach Dusty May said. “It’s going to be a battle. We believe it’s going to be won in the 39th or 40th minute of this game.”

College basketball has seen some excellent matchups this season, but in terms of metrics, expectations and the sizable stage, Michigan and Arizona matching up is box-office material and makes a case for the most exciting game of the season, a must-see event for basketball enthusiasts. It’s subjective, but with the on-court matchups, the commonality in styles, two masters of their craft on the sidelines and so much on the line, it’s hard to make an argument against it. Lucas Oil Stadium and fans watching across the country are in for a treat.

Strap in, Wildcats nation. You’re less than 24 hours away from the most important game in 25 years.

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