Arizona Sees Where It Stands In The Big 12

Since taking over Arizona, head coach Tommy Lloyd has been one of the most successful up-and-coming coaches in college basketball going 112-33 over the course of the last four seasons making the NCAA Tournament each season and leading the program to three Sweet Sixteen appearances.

Mar 27, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Anthony Dell'Orso (3) celebrates after a play during the first half against the Duke Blue Devils during an East Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

This past season, Lloyd and his program entered a new era of Arizona basketball with the Wildcats leaving the Pac-12 and joining the Big 12 Conference. In UA’s first season in a new conference, the team went 24-13 while finishing third in the conference standings.

In the Big 12 Tournament, the Wildcats made it to the conference title game and fell 72-64 to Houston, which would go on to play for the National Title.

Dec 7, 2024; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Southern Utah Thunderbirds forward Jamari Sibley (14) and center Malik Lamin (32) battle for the rebound with Arizona Wildcats center Motiejus Krivas (14) during the second half at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images | Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

Following the end to the season, Arizona lost star guard Caleb Love to graduation and forward Carter Bryant to the NBA Draft where he went No. 14 overall to the San Antonio Spurs.

Plus, Arizona saw two key players in KJ Lewis and Henri Veesaar leave the program and transfer to Power 4 programs.

Mar 23, 2025; Seattle, WA, USA; Oregon Ducks forward Kwame Evans Jr. (10) and Arizona Wildcats forward Tobe Awaka (30) collide as they battle for the loose ball in the first half at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images | Steven Bisig-Imagn Images

Despite that, Arizona will be fully loaded again with four key returners in Jaden Badley, Tobe Awaka, Anthony Dell’Orso and Motiejus Krivas. Plus, Lloyd and his staff signed the No. 2 recruiting class according to 24/7 Sports.

We are inching closer to the start of the college basketball season with Arizona tipping off its schedule against defending national champions in the Florida Gators in Las Vegas 17 days from now.

Mar 27, 2025; Newark, NJ, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Tommy Lloyd during the second half against the Duke Blue Devils during an East Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

With the season right around the corner, the Preseason AP Poll has been released with the rankings loaded with Big 12 and SEC teams with both conferences seeing six teams ranked in the poll.

Arizona managed to make the cut coming in at No. 13, marking the fifth time the Wildcats have been in the preseason poll under Lloyd.

In the Big 12 the ranked teams are No. 2 Houston, No. 8 BYU, No. 10 Texas Tech, No. 13 Arizona, No. 16 Iowa State, No. 19 Kansas.

Six teams ranked in the Preseason AP Top 25... in case you were wondering if that's good:
✅ T-Most In Big 12 history (2024)
✅ T-Most of any conference this year
✅ Most top-10 teams of any conference this year

Big 12 Basketball is A Different League. pic.twitter.com/S8D5suaZTf
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) October 13, 2025

Now, ahead of the start to the season, the Big 12 has released its Preseason Predictions voted on by the coaches of the conference.

Below is the top five teams in the Big 12 preseason standings with the full list from the conference as well:

Feb 22, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Anthony Dell’Orso (3) points after he makes a three-point basket during the second half against the BYU Cougars at McKale Center. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images | Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

Top Five Big 12 Standings

1. Houston

2. BYU

3. Texas Tech

4. Arizona

5.Iowa State

The 2025-26 #Big12MBB Preseason Coaches Poll is official 📊 pic.twitter.com/CnIe8aiJbs
— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) October 16, 2025

Last season, the Wildcats finished third in the conference and managed to go 14-6 with a road record of 6-4 in the Big 12, which is considered one of the toughest conferences in the nation.

The Wildcats would go on to get to the Big 12 Tournament title game but fell to top-seed Houston in a gritty 72-64 game, where Arizona ran out of gas in the final five minutes.

Mar 15, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; Houston Cougars guard Emanuel Sharp (21) goes to the basket against Arizona Wildcats forward Carter Bryant (9) during the first half for the Big 12 Conference Tournament Championship game at T-Mobile Center. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images | William Purnell-Imagn Images

Arizona has a loaded non-conference schedule with five ranked teams on the slate in No. 3 Florida, No. 4 UConn, No. 12 UCLA, No. 15 Alabama and No. 20 Auburn. Plus, the Wildcats will face off against San Diego State, which has been a tough West Coast program over the last 20-plus years.

Please be sure to share your thoughts on the Wildcats picked to finish fourth in the Preseason Big 12 Standings and your excitement level for the upcoming season. To do so, follow us on our X account by clicking on the link.