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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Eastern Washington Eagles Kim Aiken Jr. James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /

Key reserves for Arizona

Much like their starting five, Arizona has length in spades coming off the bench. If the starting five goes as I think, Arizona’s reserve rotation will have nobody shorter than 6-5. It’s a bench that got even longer when Kim Aiken announced he would not attend Washington State as a transfer, but would instead head to Tucson. The 6-7 senior is a defensive stopper who can also get a bucket. He is the reigning Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year and was Eastern Washington’s second-leading scorer at 11 per game.

There should be two more transfers coming off the bench, Pelle Larsson from Utah and a familiar face to Lloyd, Oumar Ballo from Gonzaga. Ballo, a native of Mali is more of a conventional big man for the Wildcats. His big-bodied frame can carve out space in the paint and be a force on the glass.

Larsson adds to the wing depth behind Mauthrin, with his calling card being his 46% shooting from three-point land. If Terry does find himself in a reserve role, it may be easier for him to find some consistency and with the addition of Aiken, it will take some pressure off of him.

Arizona, especially in the frontcourt and on the bench will be about one thing, length, length and length. That length gives Lloyd a flexible bench that allows him to use different combinations that can give the Wildcats offensive units that are hard to guard and wreak havoc on defense.

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