The No. 4 seed Arizona Wildcats’ 2024 season ended on Thursday night after falling 100-93 to No. 1 seed Duke in the Sweet 16. Superstar guard Caleb Love delivered a standout 35-point performance in his final college game, nearly making up for the Wildcats’ 19-point deficit.
Despite the loss, the Wildcats’ performance was praiseworthy, reflecting on a season of ups and downs. Coach Tommy Lloyd, Love, and center Henri Veesaar opened up afterward about the game, talking about their journey throughout the season.
Duke Ends Arizona’s Run, but Love Leaves a Legacy
Duke’s offensive precision overwhelmed Arizona from the start. Wildcats coach Tommy Lloyd praised their execution, saying, “They played awesome today. They were a machine on offense.” He noted how Duke’s plan exploited Arizona’s defense, making it tough to get stops.
Cooper Flagg, Duke’s star freshman, torched the Wildcats for 30 points, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. Lloyd highlighted Flagg’s growth since their last matchup, pointing to his improved shooting and playmaking.
Love, meanwhile, put on a show against his long-time Blue Devil rivals. He slashed through defenders and drilled clutch threes, scoring 15 straight points in a furious second-half surge. However, it wasn’t enough to topple Duke, but it capped a rollercoaster career that began with ending Mike Krzyzewski’s Duke tenure at North Carolina in 2022.
“I just want to thank each and every one of my teams and my coaching for sticking with me, as a person, first and foremost, because I went through a lot transferring from my other school, and they took me under their wing,” Love said, reflecting on his Arizona chapter.
He then credited his teammates and Lloyd for embracing him after a rocky transfer from UNC.
Lloyd didn’t hold back his admiration. “I’m going to miss Caleb,” he said. “Obviously, he’s had an amazing career. I’m so excited for his future.” He predicted a bright pro career for Love, looking forward to seeing the star succeed in his career.
Henri Veesaar, Arizona’s developing big man, also chimed in. He struggled against Duke’s lobs, especially Flagg’s athleticism. “He’s a freak athlete,” Veesaar said, explaining the challenge of playing against him.
But his focus quickly shifted to Love. Veesaar passionately defended his teammate’s character, insisting that anyone doubting Love’s leadership is dead wrong. He recalled how Love lifted him during a tournament slump, pushing him to perfect his free throws after a miss.
The Wildcats’ 24-13 record doesn’t tell the full story. They stumbled to a 4-5 start of the season but clawed their way to a No. 4 seed and a third Sweet 16 in four years.
Lloyd called it an adventure. “Super proud of our guys,” he said. “Our guys really hung with it this year.” He saw the Duke loss as only a minor hiccup.
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Love echoed that sentiment, cherishing the team’s unity through adversity. When asked what his favorite memory was, he answered by saying the “entire season.” He loved the locker room laughs, team dinners, bus rides, and moments that forged the tight-knit group.
As Arizona packs up, Love’s exit stings most. His teammates and coach made it clear: he was their rock. Veesaar called him the best teammate he’s ever had. Lloyd urged the world to give Love a fair shot.
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