NCAA: UNC target Tommy Lloyd: 'Full focus' on Arizona, Final Four

INDIANAPOLIS — As North Carolina searches for a new head coach, Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd continues to surface as a potential candidate.

Speaking ahead of the Final Four at Lucas Oil Stadium, Lloyd addressed questions about his commitment to the Wildcats.

“Listen, I’ve got my full focus on this team. Nothing is distracting me. That’s just how I’ve decided to approach it. I’m excited. I thought we had a really good practice today. I’m excited to play and for our practice tomorrow,” Lloyd said Thursday. “I’m a simple guy. I do one thing at a time. I’m not a multitasker. You can ask my wife. I’m 100 percent locked in on Arizona basketball right now, and 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.”

Lloyd was previously linked to the Villanova opening last spring but remained committed to Arizona. North Carolina parted ways with Hubert Davis last month, and Lloyd, along with Michigan’s Dusty May, has been discussed as a possible hire.

May, who is coaching in the Final Four for the second time in four years, downplayed the idea of North Carolina being a “dream job” for long-time college coaches. He said he has already achieved more than he ever imagined in his coaching career, noting that his “dream job” was once a major high school role in Indiana.

He added that he is happy at Michigan, where he has been focused on leading the Wolverines deep into the tournament. May guided Florida Atlantic University (FAU) to the Final Four in 2023, but sensed Michigan’s path to Indianapolis as early as November.

“To be honest, it felt a lot different than it did at FAU. This felt like something our guys expected, and even our fan base, it felt like they expected it a little bit, as well. And so did I, because of the guys we have wearing a Michigan jersey,” May said. “All along, it’s just kind of felt like the mission has not been accomplished yet.”

—Jeff Reynolds, Field Level Media/Reuters