NCAA Basketball: North Carolina, Gonzaga still sit atop updated top 25 ranking

13. Arizona (2-0)

This Arizona team turned a lot of heads last season, winning 33 games and taking home the regular season and tournament titles in the Pac-12. Tommy Lloyd’s first season as head coach went about as great as it possibly could, but now he and the Wildcats are looking for more. This year’s team looks a bit different, but with their eyes on another Sweet Sixteen, and to play much deeper into the Big Dance.

The season got off to a hot start with a 117-75 win over Nicholls State, with returning star Azuolas Tubelis leading the team with 23 points. Fellow frontcourt weapon Oumar Ballo had 18 points and 9 rebounds while rising star Pelle Larsson had 16 points and 10 rebounds. Another impressive shooting night followed on Friday, as the Wildcats won 95-78 over Southern. Those three players all tied to lead the team with 17 points, while Kerr Kriisa was the star with a triple-double, a 14-point, 12-assist, 11-rebound performance.

These Wildcats play fast and they’re really great on the offensive end. They’ve made nearly 75% of their 2-point field goals and were shooting the cover off the ball from outside against Nicholls State as well. Replacing last year’s production from Mathurin won’t be easy, but it certainly looks like they have the pieces to do so. This upcoming week won’t provide much of a challenge, featuring a game at home against Utah Tech next Thursday.