Arizona Basketball: Wildcats face new season with high stakes and roster gaps
Arizona enters the 2026-27 season ranked No. 5 after a Final Four run, but must rebuild its roster and adjust its style of play without key players.
By Gabriela Ivanov ·
The Arizona Wildcats face the challenge of matching last season's 79-64 Elite Eight victory over Purdue, a win that ended a 25-year drought and sent the team to its first Final Four since 2001. Coach Tommy Lloyd noted that the offseason felt long and slow, describing the period as "awesome" but distant. The team is now preparing to start its new campaign against UCLA in Las Vegas.
Arizona enters the season with high standing in national polls. The Big 12 coaches selected the Wildcats to repeat as conference champions in the preseason vote, while the Associated Press ranked them No. 5 in the country. Lloyd dismissed these rankings as "fool’s gold" but emphasized that high expectations are a privilege. He urged his players to treat this season as a fresh journey rather than an extension of last year's success.
The roster has undergone major changes following the NBA Draft. Senior center Motiejus Krivas, who averages 10.4 points and 8.2 rebounds, remains the anchor of the frontcourt. He is joined by forward Ivan Kharchenkov, who also averaged 10.4 points last season. These veterans provide stability to a team that lost many key contributors, though the program still relies on collective effort rather than individual stars.
The absence of fifth-year forward RJ Godfrey presents a specific tactical puzzle for the coaching staff. Godfrey, who shot over 61% for 12 points per game last year, is currently in legal limbo regarding his eligibility for a fifth year of play. Lloyd described the situation as a missed opportunity for a life-changing chance, noting that Godfrey's return would be a definite boost to the roster. His potential absence may force Arizona to spread the floor more.
Arizona struggled from beyond the arc last season, ranking 334th in Division I with 5.9 made three-pointers per game. Freshman guard Caleb Holt, rated the No. 2 recruit by 247Sports, is expected to help improve perimeter shooting. Holt believes the team's ability to shoot from one through five positions makes them a more difficult opponent to guard both inside and out, adding another layer to their offensive approach.
Under Lloyd's leadership, the Wildcats have made the NCAA Tournament in every season since 2021. The coach maintains that culture is a living organism that must be actively built and valued daily. He plans to navigate the season by stacking good days and learning from adversity, aiming to translate consistent performance into another deep postseason run.
