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Arizona's non-con schedule gives them legit chance at a 1 seed come March Madness

ByTristan Freeman
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Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Tommy Lloyd reacts during the second half in a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Apr 4, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Tommy Lloyd reacts during the second half in a semifinal of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Will Arizona go unbeaten next season before Big 12 play? It’ll be nearly impossible to repeat the feat, having several likely preseason top-15 teams on the schedule. Here’s a look at the top opponents to watch in the non-con.

1. Home vs UConn Huskies

Even with starting guard Solo Ball set to miss the season with a wrist injury, the Huskies still have top-10 talent. Point guard Silas Demary Jr. is back, while sophomore guard Brayon Mullins is a national breakout candidate to watch. How good UConn will be depends on the play of sophomore transfers (Nikolas Khamenia and Najai Hines) and whether they’re a Final Four contender but they have a fairly high floor overall. 

2. Neutral vs Arkansas Razorbacks (in Phoenix)

Coach John Calipari has another group of quality freshmen joining the team, including five-star guard prospect Jordan Smith, as well as forward Miikka Muurinen. Adding Georgia’s leading scorer from last year Jeremiah Wilkinson gives them a veteran presence to go along with the multiple NBA-caliber players on the roster. 

3. Neutral vs St. John’s Red Storm (in NYC)

While the Red Storm are still dealing with some eligibility situations, they do have Baylor transfer Tounde Yessoufou and returning guard Ian Jackson to run the offense. If Auburn transfer Keyshawn Hall is able to suit up for St. John’s, they’ll be a top-10 caliber team. 

4. Neutral vs UCLA Bruins (in Las Vegas)

The Bruins bring back a trio of starters from a 24-win squad that went to the NCAA Tournament, including Trent Perry (12.6 ppg and 2.8 apg) and Eric Dailey (11.6 ppg and 5.8 rpg). The additions of Texas Tech transfer Jaylen Petty and top-tier international forward Nikola Kusturica has a chance to raise their ceiling even more but they project as another top-half Big Ten team this season.

5. At Auburn Tigers 

After barely missing out on the NCAA Tournament last year, second-year head coach Steven Pearl brings back two key starters in Kevin Overton and Tahaad Pettiford, who combined for nearly 40 ppg last year. Sun Belt transfer forwards Adam Olsen and Thomas Dowd gives them depth, while former Creighton forward Owen Freeman looks to reclaim his Iowa form to give them needed production inside. 

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