Arizona Basketball: Projected starting lineup and depth chart for 2021-22 season
By Tuck Clarry
Wing and Forward
Bennedict Mathurin is poised for a breakout season with the Wildcats. Mathurin earned All-Freshman honors last year and proved to be a premiere shooter from outside. He shot 41.8% 3-point shooter last year and will feast in Lloyd’s pass-heavy offense. He earned First-Team honors in the PAC-12 preseason coaches’ poll.
The Canadian is a plus defender, often guarding the other team’s best off-ball guard or wing. His role was pretty limited last year, mostly playing defense and spotting-up behind the arc. He should be able to make a major impact in transition with a change in team philosophy on defense and Lloyd’s wishes to up the tempo.
The bench is deep as the Wildcats could shift Terry down to the wing spot or bring in transfer Kim Aiken to relieve Mathurin for spells. Aiken is coming off a season with the Eastern Washington Eagles that earned him Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year. Aiken is not only an elite defensive but also a dependable offensive weapon.
He joined the Wildcats in hopes to improve his perimeter shooting, which he showcased in the Blue and Red exhibition game where he drilled plenty of threes and finished with 20 points. How Lloyd adapts to his talent throughout the season will be fun to watch, especially as a first-year coach.
Adama Bal is a bit of a wildcard with the loaded position, as he’s a top international recruit that could play either as a guard or wing with his 6-foot-7 listing. He’s only 17 years old but has the potential to break out even in his freshman campaign. He could serve not only as a wing but also as an offense initiator, something that Lloyd’s system can’t get enough of.