Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd has no good reason to leave for North Carolina

Tommy Lloyd just made the Final Four at Arizona. Given that the North Carolina basketball job — arguably the single most coveted job in college hoops — is open, many will reasonably say this makes Lloyd an even more attractive candidate for UNC. The real question is — or should be — if this should make Lloyd himself more likely to want or at least consider the job.

Waiting game

North Carolina administrators have been playing the waiting game, and they still are. Teams’ seasons are ending, and coaches are either making the Final Four or are falling short. On one hand, coaches’ seasons ending means UNC can fully go after tham. On the other hand, coaches making the Final Four means that if UNC basketball is willing to wait, it can then come around with an offer once the Final Four ends. This is the delicate balance the Tar Heels are dealing with at the moment.

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Tommy Lloyd and Brad Underwood

Tommy Lloyd and Brad Underwood both lacked a Final Four on their resumes. Now they have one. On the surface, this would seemingly make both coaches more attractive to UNC basketball. Now we have to figure out if either man would actually want the job if offered.

Arizona versus Illinois

If we were to compare Arizona and Illinois, both jobs are very attractive. Being successful in both places ought to lead the coaches at those schools to want to stay. However, if we were to compare Arizona and Illinois, the U of A is the better job, and Tommy Lloyd is in the more secure situation. Here’s why: Arizona has already risen to the top of the Big 12. It won the conference title and the tournament title this year. Illinois has to face up to Michigan while also considering the reality that Ben McCollum is gaining momentum at Iowa, with Purdue and Michigan State still likely to be factors on an annual basis. If Tommy Lloyd or Brad Underwood should think about a move to Carolina, Underwood makes a lot more sense at this point.

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Publish date : 2026-03-29 18:04:00

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