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Tommy Lloyd on Arizona returning its game to Gonzaga: “I’m sure it’s going to have to happen”

Tommy Lloyd knows that sooner or later, he’s going to have to return to Spokane to play Gonzaga as Arizona’s head coach.

And it’s only a matter of time.

“I’m sure it’s going to have to happen,” Lloyd said Monday on the College Hoops Today Podcast when he was asked if Arizona would eventually return the back end of its home-and-home series with Gonzaga. “It’s a contract deal. I don’t know if there’s any rush on either side to play the game, but I’m sure down the road — in the next few seasons — we’ll play a game.”

The Wildcats were initially slated to return a game last season to Gonzaga as part of a home-and-home series that was scheduled before Lloyd was hired. The Bulldogs previously played at Arizona during the 2019-20 season before COVID.

Lloyd was an assistant at Gonzaga under Mark Few from 2001-21 prior to taking his current post in Tucson. The two longtime friends decided not to play the game last season in Lloyd’s first year as a head coach.

“At the end of the day, it’s a great game for college basketball,” Lloyd said. “It may not be a great thing for me personally, but it’s great for college basketball.”

Lloyd led Arizona to a 33-4 record last season and was the AP National Coach of the Year.

Gonzaga is currently ranked SECOND in the ROTHSTEIN 45 while Arizona is currently ranked 22nd.

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