The Arizona Wildcats have achieved a notable accolade by securing the No. 13 spot in the Associated Press (AP) preseason poll. Released on Monday, this ranking positions them among the competitive field as the college basketball season approaches.
Upcoming Challenges for Arizona Wildcats
The Wildcats will kick off their regular season in Las Vegas on November 3, facing off against the defending national champions, Florida, who are ranked No. 3 in the AP poll. Arizona’s schedule features an ambitious lineup, with a total of nine ranked teams. Among these, they will challenge six teams that are positioned above them, including:
- Houston (No. 2)
- Florida (No. 3)
- UConn (No. 4)
- BYU (No. 8)
- Texas Tech (No. 10)
- UCLA (No. 12)
Furthermore, they will also meet Iowa State (No. 16), Kansas (No. 19), and Auburn (No. 20). Additionally, San Diego State is close behind, with enough points to rank 27th.
Impact of Nonconference Games
The Wildcats’ challenging nonconference schedule will help counterbalance their participation in fewer Big 12 games this season. The conference has decreased its schedule from 20 to 18 games. As for the ranked Big 12 teams, Arizona will only compete against BYU and Kansas twice.
Team Composition and Expectations
Arizona’s head coach, Tommy Lloyd, has expressed a mix of caution and confidence regarding the team’s preparedness for the season. The Wildcats return three starters and welcome back center Motiejus Krivas from injury. Their roster will also depend significantly on the contributions of three or four freshmen, likely including guard Brayden Burries and forward Koa Peat.
Lloyd mentioned, “We’ve got a lot of great pieces and the initial parts of our culture build have been positive. This is a team built for the challenges ahead.”
Rankings Overview
Arizona’s preseason No. 13 ranking aligns closely with major national computer rankings. For instance:
- KenPom.com ranks Arizona at No. 15.
- EvanMiya.com places them at No. 7.
- BartTorvik.com has Arizona at No. 12.
In KenPom’s system, Arizona ranks as the fourth-highest Big 12 team, following Houston (No. 1) and Texas Tech (No. 12).
Historical Context of Rankings
The AP preseason poll has historically provided a reliable prediction model for Arizona. Last year, they began at No. 10, finishing at No. 15 after a season that included a third-place tie in the Big 12 and a Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Tournament. In the 2023-24 season, they climbed to No. 1 in December but finished at No. 12 after losing in the Sweet 16.
Arizona Wildcats’ 2025-26 Season Schedule
Here is a summary of the upcoming games for the Arizona Wildcats:
| Date | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 3 | Florida | Las Vegas |
| Nov 7 | Utah Tech | Home |
| Nov 11 | NAU | Home |
| Nov 14 | UCLA | Los Angeles |
| Nov 19 | UConn | Home |
| Dec 6 | Auburn | Home |
| (Full schedule continues…) |
The Arizona Wildcats are poised to face a season full of challenges as they seek to improve upon their preseason ranking. Their performance in upcoming games will be pivotal as they navigate a rigorous schedule in pursuit of success.
