Arizona Wildcats Basketball: A Season Preview

The Arizona Wildcats men's basketball team is gearing up for an exciting season, building upon a foundation of past successes and embracing new talent. With a mix of challenging non-conference matchups and a demanding Big 12 schedule, the Wildcats aim to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.

Reflecting on the Previous Season

The 2024-25 season saw the Wildcats finish with a 24-13 record, including a 14-6 mark in Big 12 Conference play. This performance earned them a tie for third place and the number 3 seed in the Big 12 tournament, where they advanced to the finals before losing to Houston. The team received a number 4 seed in the East Regional of their 35th NCAA tournament appearance.

Roster Updates and Key Additions

Following the 2024-25 season, some players departed, including Love, who signed a two-way contract with the Portland Trail Blazers, and Carter Bryant. However, the team has been replenished with youth in the form of top American high school prospects such as Koa Peat, Brayden Burries, and Netherlands native Dwayne Aristode, plus Bryce James, a son of LeBron James.

The 2025-26 roster reflects these changes, with outgoing players removed and incoming players added.

Coaching Staff Changes

The program experienced a change in its coaching staff, with Steve Robinson retiring after a 42-year career. Robinson's career included head coaching positions at Tulsa and Florida State, as well as assistant coaching roles at Radford, Cornell, Kansas, and North Carolina. Brandon Chappell, formerly an assistant coach at Texas, was hired as Robinson's replacement on May 5, 2025.

Preseason Preparations

The annual Red-Blue game took place on October 3, 2025, with the team divided into Red and Blue squads for an inter-squad scrimmage. Dell'Orso won the three-point contest, while the dunk contest was judged by a panel of celebrities. The Red team, coached by assistant coach TJ Benson, defeated the Blue team 45-44. Brayden Burries led all scorers with twenty-two points.

Schedule Overview

The schedule includes a series of challenging non-conference games, starting with a matchup against the defending national champion Florida Gators in Las Vegas on November 3 as part of the Hall of Fame Series. A long-standing rivalry with UCLA continues on November 7.

Non-Conference Schedule Highlights

November 3 vs. Florida Gators: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas.
November 7 vs. UCLA: Intuit Dome.
November 11 vs. Northern Arizona: McKale Center.
November 14 vs. Denver: McKale Center.
November 24 vs. San Diego State: Mortgage Matchup Center.
November 29 vs. Abilene Christian: McKale Center.
December 6 vs. Bethune-Cookman: McKale Center
December 13 vs. South Dakota State: McKale Center
December 16 vs. Utah Tech: McKale Center
December 20 vs. Norfolk State: McKale Center
December 22 vs. Auburn: McKale Center

Key Conference Matchups

The Big 12 schedule presents a series of tough contests, including matchups against conference rivals.

December 29 vs. Kansas State: Jon M. Huntsman Center.
January 4 vs. Cincinnati: Fifth Third Arena.
January 7 vs. West Virginia: WVU Coliseum.
January 14 vs. Alabama: Coleman Coliseum.
January 18 vs. Oklahoma State: McKale Center.
January 21 vs. Utah: Jon M. Huntsman Center.
January 24 vs. BYU: McKale Center.
January 28 vs. Kansas: Allen Fieldhouse.
February 1 vs. Arizona State: McKale Center.
February 7 vs. Houston: Fertitta Center.
February 11 vs. TCU: McKale Center.
February 14 vs. Baylor: Foster Pavilion.
February 18 vs. Texas Tech: United Supermarkets Arena.
February 21 vs. Iowa State: McKale Center.
February 24 vs. Colorado: McKale Center.
February 28 vs. UCF: Addition Financial Arena.
March 2 vs. Baylor: McKale Center.

Individual Game Results

Saint Mary's Gaels 68, Arizona Wildcats 42
Embry-Riddle Eagles 42, Arizona Wildcats 42
Florida Gators 87, Arizona Wildcats 87
Utah Tech Trailblazers 67, Arizona Wildcats 67
Northern Arizona Lumberjacks 49, Arizona Wildcats 49
Arizona Wildcats 69, UCLA 69
Arizona Wildcats 71, UConn 71
Denver Pioneers 73, Arizona Wildcats 73
Norfolk State Spartans 61, Arizona Wildcats 61
Auburn Tigers 68, Arizona Wildcats 68
Arizona Wildcats 96, Abilene Christian Wildcats 96
San Diego State Aztecs 45, Arizona Wildcats 45
Bethune-Cookman Wildcats 71, Arizona Wildcats 71
South Dakota State Jackrabbits 72, Arizona Wildcats 72
Kansas State Wildcats 76, Arizona Wildcats 76
Arizona State Sun Devils 82, Arizona Wildcats 82
Cincinnati Bearcats 51, Arizona Wildcats 51
West Virginia Mountaineers 53, Arizona Wildcats 53
Arizona Wildcats 86, TCU Horned Frogs 86
Oklahoma State Cowboys 47, Arizona Wildcats 47
Arizona Wildcats 78, Washington State Cougars 78
BYU Cougars 68, Arizona Wildcats 68
Arizona Wildcats 73, Washington State Cougars 73
Kansas Jayhawks 61, Arizona Wildcats 61
Iowa State Cyclones 57, Arizona Wildcats 57

Team Ranking

Arizona entered the season as the No. 15 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll.

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