Motiejus Krivas, who is predicted to be a high pick in next year’s NBA draft. Promising tall player Ugnius Jaruševičius, LeBron James’s son Bryce, and other University of Arizona basketball players will challenge the Lithuanian reserve team this Wednesday at 7:30 PM in the Jonava arena. The next day, Thursday, the Arizona players will face the Ukrainian national team, led by Ainaras Bagatskis, at 5 PM in the Kėdainiai arena.
On the eve of the games, the website Lietuva.basketball interviewed the coach of the Lithuanian men’s basketball reserve team, Mindaugas Lukošius.
– Coach, only hours remain until your team’s first game. How did the preparation go? Is there enough time?
– We always want more time to prepare, but we adapt to the situation and are eager to start the games. This year we do not have official championships, so our main role is to support the main team and gain valuable playing experience by testing the players’ strength against high-level opponents.
– In preparation, did you focus only on your players’ game, or did you also analyze the University of Arizona’s last season games?
– Currently, we are more focused on our own game and players rather than the opponents. We have seen last season’s games and know the opponents’ roster, but there is a lot of turnover in university teams – several key players have graduated and continue their careers elsewhere. The opponents have added promising young players, so a more detailed scouting will take place during the games.
– Have you communicated with Motiejus Krivas and Ugnius Jaruševičius? Have you talked about their plans for the next season or tried to uncover the secrets of the Arizona team’s play?
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– So far, there has been no such conversation. I don’t think they would reveal much about their team’s tactics or similar.
– What is the mood in your team? Is everyone healthy and ready to fight?
– All players are healthy and eagerly awaiting tomorrow’s game. It will be a serious test not only for our team but also a great opportunity to assess the NCAA level. Many talents currently play there, and the best players in the world aim to join leading programs. Playing against opponents of this level is a great honor and responsibility.
– What goals do you set for the guys in the matches on Wednesday in Jonava against the Arizona team and on the 24th in Utena against the NCAA champion Michigan?
– Our goal is primarily to focus on our own game. Although most of our national team players represented Lithuania at the World Universiade last year, younger players have joined the team this year. These games will be an excellent indicator showing what it means to compete at a high level. We had less than a week to prepare and only a few training sessions, but the team looks mature and works with great enthusiasm. Peers’ teams are meeting, so we expect fast and visually attractive basketball.
– On Thursday in Kėdainiai, the Arizona team will face the Ukrainian national team, which recently lost a friendly match to our main team with three NBA players. How do you think these games might be interesting for our audience?
– The meeting in Kėdainiai will also be very interesting because two teams with different philosophies are expected. The University of Arizona is a youthful team promoting typical American basketball, characterized by aggressive defense and fast offense. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian national team pursues its own goals and prepares for the FIBA qualification windows. These are experienced players capable of thoroughly analyzing opponents, so we will see a vivid clash of experience and youthful drive.
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