How Caleb Love Fits With The Arizona Wildcats

Poor shot selection has been the biggest gripe about Caleb Love, but a fresh start with the Arizona Wildcats could change that perception.

One of the most scrutinized transfers in the portal, Caleb Love committed to play for Tommy Lloyd and the Arizona Wildcats. He was originally on his way to Michigan before an admissions issue made that fall through.

Love, who starred on North Carolina’s 2022 Final Four team, is often criticized for his inefficiency from the field. Despite career averages of 14.6 points, 3.3 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game, his field goal percentage of 36.0% always seems to turn the conversation in that way.

At his best, Caleb Love can be a dynamic, streaky scorer. His play in the 2022 NCAA Tournament turned him into a college basketball star. He dropped 23 points on 40% shooting in the first round against Marquette and put up 30 points on 45.8% from the field against UCLA in the Sweet 16. After a 6-for-17 outing in a win over Saint Peter’s, Love bounced back in a win over Duke, shooting 11-of-20 for 28 points.

Then, there’s the other side of Caleb Love. A 5-for-24 night in the championship loss to Kansas. A 16-point, 7-turnover game against Louisville. A stretch in Jan. and Feb. where Love shot 31-for-114 (27.2%) over an 8-game period.

Simply put, Love can be a tremendous scorer, but you have to be willing to give and take along the ride.

What are Caleb Love’s strengths?

Scoring is Love’s number one asset, and three-point shooting is how he gets hot. In the 2022 NCAA Tournament, and really whenever Love is streaky, his hot streaks usually revolve around the three-point line. The 6-3 guard likes to step out further and further, with a range that can compete with anyone.

It’s also important to note Love’s ball-handling and driving skills. There’s a very good chance he’s called upon to play some point guard for Arizona because from time to time, he showed promise doing so at UNC. While RJ Davis was the PG for the Heels, Love didn’t shy away from helping out.

The biggest key for Love will be playing aggressively with all of his traits. He isn’t afraid to shoot it – we all know that – but he can become complacent. When Love attacks the bucket in a healthy amount, it helps himself and everyone around him. That’s just basketball 101, really.

How does Caleb Love fit with the Arizona Wildcats?

Love spent three years in Chapel Hill but decided a scenery change was needed in year four. Now, Love will play in Tucson, joining a talented Wildcats bunch that finished 8th in the AP Poll last year.

Of course, it will be a different ‘Cats team. Azuolas Tubelis is the biggest loss, and pass-first guard Kerr Kriisa transferred out to West Virginia. Love will step in and replace Courtney Ramey at shooting guard, but could bring a bit more scoring than Ramey was able to, after only averaging 10.5 PPG in his lone year with Arizona.

Love will join forces with big-man Oumar Ballo, who figures to be one of the most dominant bigs in the country. Pelle Larsson also returns, uniting with Love on the wing. Former San Diego State Aztec Keshad Johnson and Alabama guard Jaden Bradley also transferred in to become Wildcats.

On paper, Love seems to be the go-to guy, which could work in his favor more. With North Carolina, he shared the backcourt duties almost evenly with RJ Davis. Armando Bacot also required the ball a lot in the post.

With this Arizona team, Love and Ballo look like the 1-2 punch, while Larsson, Johnson, and Bradley will all be key secondary players. If this holds true, it means Love won’t have to force his way into shots, and will instead be a primary focus with Arizona – even more so than with UNC.

Former Arizona Wildcats player comparison: Gabe York

I’m making this comparison from the “let-it-fly” standpoint, because York, like Love, always seemed to have a green light. York was certainly more consistent from the outside, but his career FG% was only 41.4%, so it’s similar. York also dabbled in setting people up, but that came second to shooting the ball.

When York was a senior, the Wildcats went 25-9, so that’s one plus going for Caleb Love.

Overall Fit Grade & Final Thoughts

B+

I’m not sure if Love would be an A- fit or better wherever he transfers because unless he figures out how to shoot better than 40% from the field in a season, that will always trail him. However, he is joining a team that needs a go-to scorer, and more specifically, a guard to take over games in crunch time. I’d say Love is a pretty good answer to that need.

It’ll be interesting to see if Lloyd can have an impact on Love. The Wildcats had the 5th best field goal percentage in the country in 2022-23, and the 4th best the year before. A few good post players will help raise that percentage, but it’s a testament to Lloyd’s offensive mind and the potential in getting the most out of Caleb Love on the court.