Profound success has followed Tommy Lloyd to Arizona since taking the helm of these Wildcats back in 2021. He’s won league titles in both the Pac-12 and Big 12 and has ensured that Arizona remains a national prominent program. That fact was truly punctuated last season, as the Wildcats won 36 games, notched Big 12 regular season and tournament titles and then had quite the March Madness to remember.
Last season saw Lloyd lead Arizona to its first trip to the Final Four in 25 years, breaking a drought full of near misses. Having previously taken this program to three Sweet Sixteen’s, this clearly marked a great success for Lloyd and his staff, though they’re hoping this is just the beginning.
Different look for Wildcats
You won’t be shocked to hear that any efforts to build on that Final Four run will look very different this season. Pac-12 Player of the Year Jaden Bradley and superstar freshmen Brayden Burries and Koa Peat have all found their way to the NBA and there’s a flurry of other pieces gone from last season, like Tobe Awaka and Anthony Dell’Orso. However, two major parts of that team return and there’s plenty to like about the offseason additions.
It’s far too early to predict a repeat run to the Final Four, but there are certainly some that think Arizona has that kind of talent. There are notable freshmen, intriguing recruits, and plenty of international flair on a program that sure seems like a perennial contender in the Big 12 despite joining the league just two years ago. What kind of season lies ahead for the Wildcats?
Projected Starters
Guard – Derek Dixon (Sophomore)
The Wildcats needed backcourt help with those departures and certainly expect Dixon to become a massive piece of the puzzle. A 6-5 point guard from the East Coast, he had a decent showing as a freshman at North Carolina, putting up 6.5 points and 2.7 assists per game. The Top 50 recruit had a season of mixed results but is looking to take a massive step forward in his sophomore season in new surroundings.
Guard – Caleb Holt (Freshman)
Likely one of the first names called in the 2027 NBA Draft, Holt is a 5-star shooting guard who is considered one of the most elite prospects in the country for this upcoming season. Holt is a fantastic guard and a talented athlete, known for his perimeter play, explosiveness, and ability to impact the game on multiple levels. He steps right into that massive opening and likely follows in Burries’ footsteps this season.
Forward – Ivan Kharchenkov (Sophomore)
Kharchenkov is a 6-7 forward from Germany who fit in very nicely with the Wildcats last season. His first year of collegiate basketball was a fantastic result, averaging 10.4 points and 4.3 rebounds as a full-time starter on that Final Four squad. Expect even more in year two as Kharchenkov continues developing his game and perhaps even his outside shot.
Forward – RJ Godfrey (Senior)
The jury is quite literally still out on Godfrey and his eligibility for this season, but he’d give an experienced frontcourt weapon for these Wildcats. He split the first four seasons of his career between Clemson and Georgia, starring with 12.0 points and 5.3 rebounds per game for the Tigers in the ACC last season. He’s known for his size and athleticism and could be the missing piece this team needs for another deep run.
Center – Motiejus Krivas (Senior)
During the first two seasons of his career, Krivas was a decent big man off the bench. The 7-2 center from Lithuania took on a major role in the starting lineup as a junior, putting up 10.4 points and 8.2 rebounds on a 36-win squad. Arizona is glad to get him back for a fourth season as a true anchor around the rim.
Key Reserves
Guard – Cameron Holmes (Freshman)
Another very notable freshman addition, Holmes is a 4-star prospect who’s considered a versatile athlete. He’s got NBA potential, though he’s likely fighting for those minutes in this new-look backcourt. Regardless, when Holmes is on the court it’s clear that he’s a tough player with a high IQ and playmaking ability.
Guard – Bryce James (Sophomore)
Last season James redshirted with the Wildcats and got quite the close-up on a historical season in Tucson. The son of a living legend in basketball, he’s looking to showcase himself and his growth and play a major role in Arizona’s backcourt. James is a great outside shooter and the Wildcats would gladly welcome his sharpshooting potential off this bench.
Forward – Ugnius Jarusevicius (Senior)
There’s more international flavor with the addition of Jarusevicius into this frontcourt. The 6-10 forward from Lithuania has already played for Cal State Bakersfield, Central Michigan, and Nebraska but it’s all about his health. He has impressive size, length, and versatility but played just eleven minutes with the Cornhuskers due to back issues; something you really hope doesn’t flair up again this year.
Forward – Endurance Aiyamenkhue (Freshman)
Aiyamenkhue might not be the flashiest offseason addition but he checks several boxes for the Arizona coaching staff. He’s a 6-11 big man from Amsterdam who adds even more flair and international experience into the frontcourt. He’s a 3-star prospect with great energy and athleticism for his size, though we’ll have to see just what kinds of opportunities he earns in what could be a raw freshman year.
Guard – JJ Mandaquit (Sophomore)
Last year wasn’t quite the season Mandaquit expected at Washington, but the former Top 50 prospect is hoping for better with the Wildcats. His freshman season with the Huskies ended in late January with a foot injury after averaging 5.2 points and 3.2 assists per game. He’ll compete with Dixon for a major role at the point and should be someone playing significant minutes off the bench.
Forward – Evan Otten (Senior)
You may not initially be impressed with the numbers Otten put up in the Big Sky, but the 6-11 center out of Oregon has a role to play with the Wildcats. He spent his first two collegiate seasons as the starting center with Idaho State, leading the Big Sky in blocks in both season. Otten put up 4.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks per game and is certainly far better known for his defensive potential. Staying out of foul trouble will be key for the former Big Sky Rookie of the Year.
Schedule Outlook
The Wildcats look to follow up on last season’s success and understand this new rotation but are thrown right into the fire. They’ll play the Hall of Fame Series in Las Vegas against former Pac-12 rival UCLA on November 2nd to kick start the regular season. They’ll kick off their home season with a few games before the first road test two weeks later, heading to Auburn on the 13th.
Many eyes will be on Tucson on November 18th, with the Wildcats welcoming UConn to town for a matchup of two Final Four squads from last year. Right after that, Arizona heads west to the Maui Invitational, facing off with Colorado State, then VCU or Providence, before a third game that they hope leads to a tournament title.
December provides more home tune-ups but also two more big tests as part of that Hall of Fame Series. The Wildcats head to Madison Square Garden and see St. John’s on the 5th. Exactly two weeks later, they’re in Phoenix for a notable showdown with Arkansas in one of their final nonconference matchups.
Big 12 scheduling is not balanced, but many will be excited for their pair of matchups against both BYU and Houston, with rival Arizona State also seen twice on that schedule. The Wildcats get to host Kansas late in conference play but have to head to some tough places to play with road games at Iowa State and Texas Tech. They’ll end the regular season in Houston a few days after Senior Night against Colorado on March 3rd.
Season Outlook
During his two decades at Gonzaga, Lloyd was known for bringing international prospects and helping turn them into national names. He’s been performing a similar trick in his first half-decade with the Wildcats and shows no signs of slowing down. It’s honestly the combination of great coaching, great freshman, and those tough frontcourt weapons that makes Arizona such an intriguing case study.
Losing two elite guards like Bradley and Burries would’ve sunk some teams, but the replacements here keep Arizona in these national conversations. Holt is simply one of the best freshmen in the nation and almost certainly will be the Wildcats’ top scorer. You also add two point guards with power conference experience and potential in Dixon and Mandaquit, knowing that if either emerge that Arizona is in great shape.
We could spend hours talking about what’s gone right in Arizona’s frontcourt in recent years, though the importance of getting both Kharchenkov and Krivas back again cannot be understated. Two outstanding big men from a Final Four team will play even bigger roles this year. If Godfrey is available, then the Wildcats have one of the best frontcourts in the nation; but they certainly have great depth even if he’s not.
Arizona likes the roster they’ve put together, regardless of the eligibility status of Godfrey. Holt looks even better than those star freshmen from last season while the experience and size in the frontcourt can be overpowering. This program has entered the Big 12 and quickly become a bully in their new league and this rotation shows every potential to win another league title and contend for a deep NCAA Tournament run again.
Add us as a preferred source on Google