Arizona’s Lloyd shrugs off UNC speculation ahead of Sweet 16

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Amid speculation that he might be a candidate for the vacant job at North Carolina State, Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd insisted all his attention is on his program as the top-seeded Wildcats prepare for Thursday’s Sweet 16 matchup against No. 4 seed Arkansas.

“I actually have one of the best jobs in the country,” Lloyd said. “And one thing we talk about in our program all the time — and I think I’ve gotten better at it, and I think our team has been crushing it this year — is just being able to fully focus and be in the moment.”

However, Lloyd stopped short of denying any interest in the UNC job, which became available Tuesday when Hubert Davis was fired following the Tar Heels’ first-round exit from the NCAA Tournament.

Lloyd said: “I think we have a chance to advance in this tournament game after game, but I am not delusional.” “I know we might lose tomorrow, but this team deserves my full focus. So, there’s not one thing that’s going to get me out of my way. I’m 100% focused on Arizona basketball and this program, and I can’t wait for the ball to be thrown tomorrow and then I can’t wait to try to figure out a way to get to the top.”

In his fifth season at Arizona, Lloyd compiled a 146-35 record with three conference regular season titles and three conference tournament titles, spanning the Wildcats’ time in the Pac-12 and Big 12. He was the AP National Coach of the Year in 2022 and the Big 12 Coach of the Year.