NCAA Basketball: Preseason top 25 power rankings for 2023-24 season

10. Arizona Wildcats

2022-23 season record: 28-7 (14-6 Pac-12)

It was another great year for Coach Tommy Lloyd, getting a 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament, though they did lose in the first round to Princeton. The team will be without four key players now, including star forward and All-American, Azuolas Tubelis. Guards Courtney Ramey and Cedric Henderson moved on, while Kerr Kriisa transferred to West Virginia.

The good news is that center Oumar Ballo is back to anchor the defense once again. He averaged 14.2 ppg and 8.6 rpg last season and will have an even larger role with Tubelis not around. San Diego State transfer Keshad Johnson is an elite frontcourt defender, though not a great offensive option. Dylan Anderson, Henri Veesaar, and freshmen Paulius Murauskas and Motiejus Krivas will add frontcourt depth.

The key is the new-look backcourt for Arizona. Kylan Boswell is a breakout candidate to watch, while Pelle Larsson is one of the better Swiss army knife players. Jaden Bradley is a transfer from Alabama and a former five-star prospect, known for being a great defender. And to make up for the potential scoring void is Caleb Love, a 16.7 ppg scoring transfer from North Carolina, who had some major performances in the Heels’ surprise national title run two years ago.

If Love can be a good first option on offense, Arizona is going to be the team to beat in the Pac-12. On paper, the defense will look outstanding. But there are some concerns as to where the rest of the scoring will come from whenever Love has an off night.