Arizona Basketball: 2021-22 season preview and outlook for Wildcats

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JANUARY 30: Head coach Sean Miller of the Arizona Wildcats talks to his team during a timeout in the second half of the game against the Washington Huskies at Hec Edmundson Pavilion on January 30, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. The Arizona Wildcats top the Washington Huskies, 75-72. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /

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Arizona Basketball Bennedict Mathurin Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Arizona’s starting five

Beginning his first season as a head coach, Lloyd will find two things very familiar to him when he looks at his roster, a distinct international flavor and lots of length, especially in the frontcourt. Some of that international flavor should be the starting point guard, sophomore Kerr Kriisa from Estonia. The 6-3 second-year guard saw minimal action as a freshman after not being cleared by the NCAA until February. With such little action, it is unclear if Kriisa will be able to handle such an increased role.

The 2-guard spot should come down to sophomore Dalen Terry and Justin Kier, a senior transfer from Georgia. Terry is a blossoming 6-7 guard looking to build off a respectable freshman campaign. Kier played a prominent role for the Bulldogs last season, averaging 9.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. Given the relative youth of the Arizona roster, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Kier get the starting nod.

In the frontcourt is where things get interesting for the Wildcats. I expect them to go 6-7, 6-11, and 7-1, led by a couple of emerging sophomores. Benedict Mauthrin is a long wing who is ready to burst onto the national scene after putting up just under 11 points per game to go along with 4.8 rebounds.

At 6-11, Azuolas Tubelis is a prototypical stretch 4 who can serve as the pivot point of the Arizona offense in the half-court, given his ability to knock down perimeter jumpers. Even though Christian Koloko likes to spend his time outside the paint, at 7-1 he can grab his share of boards and be a nuisance on the defensive end given his size.

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