This post was updated March 5 at 10:07 p.m.

UCLA men’s basketball (14-15, 9-9 Pac-12) is hosting No. 5 Arizona (23-6, 14-4) for the final time as Pac-12 rivals Thursday. Before tipoff, Daily Bruin Sports editor Joseph Crosby sat down with Daily Wildcat Sports Editor Jason Dayee and Assistant Sports Editor Nathaniel Levin to catch up on the Wildcats.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Daily Bruin: After losing in the first round to No. 15 seed Princeton last year, what have been the expectations surrounding Arizona this year and the general sentiment towards how this season has turned out?

Jason Dayee: I think the sentiment around the team was really to get back, at minimum, where we left off last season, right? Because those are very disappointing, how the team went out against Princeton.  I think, really, it was just getting back to that point at least, and we’re making sure that that doesn’t happen again.

Nathaniel Levin: I don’t think the loss is that big. Obviously, for the players, I know from hearing from them that it adds a little chip on their shoulder, but I don’t think it really impacted the sense of feeling coming into the season. I know some people viewed them a little low, but I think they’ve totally just ignored that, and they’re one of the top teams in the country right now.

DB: How has the departure of Azuolas Tubelis been felt, or has his production been replaced with some of the newer guys?

NL: I think Keshad Johnson has done a phenomenal job replacing Tubelis. I know Tubelis was an offense-first guy, didn’t really make that big of an impact on the defensive side, and that kind of hurt us at times last year. I really like how Keshad has filled in for Tubelis this season. He gives 100% effort every week, plays offense, plays defense, doesn’t rely on the ball. So I think he’s filled in the gap that we lost from the scoring side with an improvement on defense. And then Caleb Love comes in and replaces the whole offense mindset of Arizona. I think the two of them have just linked together and replaced Tubelis.

JD: The guys that were brought in this season as a collective, they’ve kind of helped to replace that production. There wasn’t a gaping hole as he left. Like Nathaniel said, Caleb Love was the main person that kind of helped or replaced most of the production. So I feel like the team isn’t really missing any of his play per se, they’ve been able to replace it.

DB: On the Caleb Love topic, UCLA fans are pretty familiar with him going back to the North Carolina game in 2022. How has the Caleb Love experience been for Arizona this season?

JD: I think it’s been great, honestly. A lot of people (were) really excited when he got there. But there were still some uncertainties if he was going to be able to buy into the system that Tommy Lloyd was going to be selling. But from what I’ve seen this season, he has bought in. He’s been a team-first guy. He’s kind of done exactly what Tommy Lloyd has needed him to do to help the team succeed.

NL: I feel like it’s new to Arizona. Arizona usually doesn’t have that big star guy. It’s always a bunch of guys. I mean, we still have it this year, but he is the No. 1 guy in Arizona, which is kind of unique for Arizona right now.

DB: On the topic of guard play, Kylan Boswell;  What has his development been like this season, especially as he’s moved from being more of bench player last season to a starter this season?

NL: I think he’s had his struggles, definitely, but I think it’s all his self-confidence. Couple bad games kind of leaves a rough footing on him, and he kind of struggles therein. Arizona relies heavily on him. I know when he plays his best, they’re one of the best teams in the country, and then when he struggles, we’re not as good. But I know the past two games, he’s been having some of the games of his life. It just shows he’s been building on himself. It’s also helped the team. When he started the game against Oregon 6 for 6 with five 3s, the crowd just got behind his back, and you just see the smile on his face. When he has confidence to himself, he’s one of the best players on the team.

DB: Oumar Ballo has been a big, key piece for Tommy Lloyd these past few years. How has he compared from last season to this season, and even from the beginning of this season to now?

JD: He’s not trying to do too much. He’s just playing the role that Tommy has set for him; roller, rim protector, rebound, putbacks. His numbers are kind of down in some areas, but overall, his game has been more effective in regards to translating to wins for the team. In the beginning of the season, he was getting used to some of the guys around him because of some of the new guys that came in, but now they’ve all gelled well – the team – together, and they know how to play off of one another. They know where Ballo’s going to be. Whether when to throw up a lob or something, they know where he is at all times on the court, so it’s a cohesive unit at all times, and he’s that anchor.

DB: If UCLA fans had to know one thing about Arizona men’s basketball since the last time they played, what would that one thing be?

JD: It doesn’t matter how the game is going – Arizona is always going to be in it. Even if they’re struggling to start or late, or whatever it may be, they’re always going to be in the game at any point. You should never let off the gas pedal. If you’re going to put Arizona away, you have to put them away early and late because they have the players to come back and beat you at any point of the game just because of the different scorers and whatnot they have on the team. They’re a very gritty team that doesn’t give up – they’re relentless.

NL: When each guy has the confidence in themselves and the confidence in the team, this team is hard to beat. I know some teams are going to match up well against Arizona and make things tough, but when this team has the confidence on the floor to play and knows they can play to their ability, they’re one of the best teams in the country.

DB: What are your guys’ predictions for the final score of the game?

NL: I think 82-77 Arizona is a good one.

JD: I feel like Arizona is going to win. I’m seeing something like 85-75.