Insider's ambivalent appraisal of Tommy Lloyd's University of Arizona basketball team
Arizona Wildcats Prepare for Promising, Yet Challenging 2025-26 Season
Jeff Goodman, a renowned college basketball insider, has evaluated the Arizona Wildcats' roster for the upcoming season, awarding them a B-plus grade. As they embark on their fifth year under head coach Tommy Lloyd, the Wildcats are gearing up for a promising, yet potentially challenging campaign.
The Wildcats have recruited seven new players for the 2025-26 season, including LeBron James' son, Bryce James. Goodman appreciates the fresh talent brought in, praising the overall team, but expresses concerns about the inexperience of the new recruits, particularly the freshmen.
Goodman's concerns are not unfounded, as the Wildcats have experienced significant losses. Carter Bryant, a key player, was unexpectedly drafted by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2025 NBA Draft, and KJ Lewis, another valuable player, has transferred out of the team. Goodman considers these losses significant and would have preferred to avoid them.
The college basketball landscape is known for its challenges in retaining players, given offers of more money or playing time elsewhere. This is a factor that Goodman acknowledges in his evaluation of the Wildcats' roster.
The Wildcats will begin their season with a tough test, playing against the defending NCAA champions, the Florida Gators, on Nov. 3. The rest of the Wildcats' roster consists of players who have either transferred out or have run out of eligibility.
In the 2024-25 season, the Wildcats finished with a 24-13 record and went 14-6 in Big 12 Play. However, their season ended prematurely in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament, marking their third such exit in the last four years. In 2025, they lost to Duke in the Sweet 16.
Goodman believes that while Arizona has brought in promising freshmen, the lack of impactful transfers and the concerns about roster depth and experience could pose challenges for the team going into the season. Arizona made one addition from the transfer portal, Evan Nelson from Harvard, who will not be eligible to play immediately, serving as a third point guard.
Tommy Lloyd and the Arizona Wildcats are preparing for the 2025-26 season, aiming to overcome the challenges and make the most of their promising roster. Jeff Goodman gave his evaluation of the Wildcats' roster on Aug. 14, 2025.
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