Caleb Love, Arizona Dazzle CBB Fans in Blowout March Madness Win vs. Long Beach State

Paul KasabianFeatured Columnist IIMarch 21, 2024

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A balanced scoring attack and a shutdown defense in the second half propelled No. 2 seed Arizona to an 85-65 win over No. 15 Long Beach State in the first round of the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament on Thursday in Omaha, Nebraska.

LBSU led 35-34 with two-and-a-half minutes left in the first half after a Aboubacar Traore layup. Arizona then rolled off a 24-2 run to give itself a 58-37 advantage at the second-half under-16 timeout. The Wildcats cruised to victory from there.

All five Wildcat starters scored in double digits, led by Kylan Boswell’s 20. He also added a team-high eight assists. Caleb Love contributed an 18-point, 11-rebound double-double to go along with five assists and two steals. Oumar Ballo posted an 11-point, 13-rebound double-double.

Arizona finished with more than twice as many assists (19) than turnovers (nine). The Wildcats also had 10 steals and eight blocks. In addition, their 13 three-pointers set a school record in the NCAA tournament.

Needless to say, Arizona authored an impressive second-half performance en route to the comfortable victory.

Marquis Flowers @MFlowers59LETS GOOO ARIZONA WOKE UP!!!

BYE LONG BEACH!

great season though 💯

Marquis Flowers @MFlowers59Caleb Love ain’t going out like no Chump! You see #2 on his back! Athletes who wear #2 at UofA different! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 #BearDown

Bryan Fischer @BryanDFischer12 three’s for Arizona against LBSU and there’s still 10 minutes to play.

Seth Davis @SethDavisHoopsArizona doing Arizona things.

Opened up 18 point lead over Long Beach State.

Tyler Cole🌵 @ArizonaWildbags14-2 run to start the 2nd half.
Keshad Johnson and Caleb Love staying composed and making smart plays.

THAT is Arizona basketball.

Matt Reynoldson @Matt_ReynoldsonBrendan Haywood: “This is Arizona basketball.”

The Wildcats are on a 21-2 run over the last eight-ish minutes. And although Caleb Love isn’t shooting well – he’s making all the other plays that made him Pac-12 Player of the Year. 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, 1 block.

Shereen Rayan – Sports Broadcaster/Writer @SportsCrazeeCaleb Love dishing the ball left and right!!
if your shot isn’t falling, there’s always other things you can do!! Let’s go Cats!
55-37
16 min to go!

Bruce Tennen @BruceTennenArizona finally playing its game now. Defending, making stops and pushing the tempo for easy hoops.

Jody Oehler @radiojodyKind of a perfect round 1 experience for Arizona:
✅ Face your upset fears
✅ Kylan Boswell leads
✅ Caleb Love hits few late shots
✅ Win comfortably
✅ Bench guys/good vibes

On to the second round.

Shane Dale @ShaneDaleAZArizona will need this Kylan Boswell the rest of the way.

Brian Pedersen @realBJPOumar Ballo with his 13th double-double in the past 14 games

19 this season, 33 for his career. 4th-most in school history.

Jenna Fink @jennamfinkFive Wildcats in double figures + Oumar Ballo double double = recipe for success

Javier Morales @JavierJMorales”Over the course of the game, Boswell was too good.”
— Jay Wright on Kylan Boswell, who had a career-high 20 points.
Arizona NEEDS Boswell to play like this always.
He can do it.

Arizona will now play the winner of No. 7 seed Dayton and No. 10 seed Nevada in the second round on Saturday.