There’s certainly been resurgence at Arizona since the hiring of Tommy Lloyd back in 2021. The longtime former Gonzaga assistant has had one of the most successful starts to a head coaching career, winning 88 games across his first three seasons. Two of those seasons ended in Pac-12 titles and trips to the Sweet Sixteen, with last year the latest example of that success.
The Wildcats dominated the final three years of the Pac-12, with those two aforementioned titles and a remarkable 47-13 mark in conference play. The pair of Sweet Sixteen runs showcase Arizona’s ability to win beyond the Pac-12, and that’s certainly necessary moving forward. This season begins a new era for the Wildcats as they join a Big 12 that’s absolutely packed with basketball talent.
Beyond those worries, change came in a major way in the offseason when a number of Arizona’s players from last season either transferred or exhausted their eligibility. This roster looks markedly different than some of the teams from recent seasons. Not every face is new, though Lloyd and his staff have effectively recruited the pieces to make the Wildcats a national contender again this season.
Arizona now faces a significantly stiffer challenge in the Big 12. As they adjust to life in their new league we’ll be taking a closer look at exactly what to expect in year one. Our first step is looking at the important pieces on this roster and how they’ll fit together in the coming season. After also examining the schedule, we’ll make a few more overarching statements about the team. Will this be another memorable year in Tucson?