NCAA Basketball: Analyzing 3 new contenders for transfer guard Caleb Love

Arizona Wildcats

The Wildcats have landed two key pieces this offseason in San Diego State transfer forward Keshad Johnson and former Alabama guard, Jaden Bradley. Both are good defenders but neither are shooters at all. There’s also a lack of backcourt depth on the roster as well, having lost Kerr Kriisa, Courtney Ramey, Cedric Henderson, and Adama Bal.

The team does have rising sophomore Kylan Boswell and wing Pelle Larsson back for another year. Larsson was a 6th Man for the Wildcats last season and could play that role again. But there’s also not a clear starter at the three-spot, unless incoming international forward Paulius Murauskas is ready for immediate minutes next season.

Without star forward Azuolas Tubelis also gone, there are going to be some questions as to who’ll be the top offensive options outside of returning starting center, Oumar Ballo. Love could come in and be the team’s leading scorer. He also can play at the wing position since he’s a 6’4 guard and there’s a case that playing exclusively off the ball could be a good thing for him.

Plus, Love can play alongside Boswell or Bradley in the backcourt and provide a shooting presence. And if Boswell isn’t ready for extended minutes, having Bradley/Love/Larsson is good enough to make Arizona contenders on its own.