The more Tommy Lloyd gets asked about the UNC head coaching opening, the more he makes it seem like he's heading to Chapel Hill once Arizona's season comes to an end.
Of course, Thursday provided the media with another opportunity to ask Lloyd about the opening, and again, Lloyd provided a statement that has everyone reading into each and every word.
No one is buying what Tommy Lloyd is selling
Here's Lloyd's latest statement regarding the UNC head coaching opening:
"I’ve got my full focus on this team. Nothing is distracting me. That’s how I’ve decided to approach it.
I’m 100-percent locked in on Arizona basketball right now. I'm excited to see what this team can do. I have a real strong belief in this team, and this team deserves my full attention. So that’s what I’m giving them."
Let's break it down in pieces, shall we?
Of course, Lloyd states the obvious- his full focus is on Arizona, an approach that no one is shocked to hear. It would be concerning if he said that his team, who is just days away from playing in the Final Four, didn't have his full attention.
However, he used two words that are making everyone think that his future in Tuscon is in doubt.
"Right now."
You may be saying, "stop reading into things like this," but how can you not? Every time Lloyd addresses the rumors, he provides some context that makes it seem like a changing of the guard at Arizona is imminent.
We all remember the, "The sun might be shining on our program and me, but my number one priority is to protect this program for the duration of when I am here. Arizona is going to have a great coach after me. The place is special." quote from just a few days ago!
While no one expected Lloyd to give up all of his leverage by flat-out saying he isn't leaving Arizona, he's done quite the job in terms of keeping both fan bases on their toes as this thing drags out.
Regardless, this waiting game will drag on until at least late Saturday night. Unless Arizona is the last team standing on Monday night, the Lloyd to UNC rumors will be escalated once the Wildcats' season officially comes to a close.
At that point, it likely won't be long before we get some type of resoultion around what Lloyd's future plans are.