NCAA Basketball: 5 best value bets to make 2021-22 Final Four weekend

1. Arizona Wildcats +2000

The Wildcats were a competitive bunch last season, dropping numerous close games in conference play. Sean Miller’s decision to place heavy recruiting emphasis on international players paid off in a big way, as Azuolas Tubelis and Bennedict Mathurin emerged as reliable scoring threats at the top of the roster. However, inconsistent guard availability prevented Arizona from reaching its true potential in the regular season.

With the decision to move on from Miller this summer, new head coach Tommy Lloyd was able to successfully maintain the core of the Wildcats roster. With over half of the main rotation returning, Lloyd completed successful acquisitions of Oumar Ballo (Gonzaga), Pelle Larsson (Utah), Kim Aiken Jr. (Eastern Washington), and Justin Kier (Georgia). The benefit for Arizona of the players they kept and their newest additions is the combined elevation of their offensive and defensive talents on a collective basis.

The Wildcats were already a near top-40 offensive program in Miller’s last year with marginally above-average defense. However, this summer’s restructuring of the roster under Lloyd’s watchful eye signals Arizona is likely to be a more disruptive bunch in 2022. With longer wings and a fortified frontcourt of shot-blockers, this year’s team stands to be equally balanced on both ends of the court and on their way towards an NCAA Tournament return.

Considering the 2021 team lost conference games to Oregon, UCLA, and Stanford by less than five points, a much more positive and momentous run could be on the way.