Arizona Basketball: A Powerhouse Reasserting Its Place in the Big 12 Hierarchy
In a recent anonymous poll of Big 12 coaches, Arizona was voted the second-best job in the conference - trailing only Kansas, which received all 18 first-place votes. That’s no small feat, especially considering the company they’re keeping.
Kansas, with its blueblood pedigree, is the gold standard. But Arizona isn’t just knocking on the door - they’re firmly in the conversation.
Let’s break down why.
First, the Wildcats are winning - and doing it with authority. Arizona is off to a 17-0 start this season and has held the No. 1 spot in the national rankings for five straight weeks.
That’s not just a hot start; that’s sustained dominance. And it’s a continuation of a winning tradition that dates back decades.
Since Lute Olson’s second year at the helm in 1984-85, Arizona has posted a winning record every single season. That’s 42 straight years of consistency - a staggering run of excellence in the ever-changing world of college basketball.
And the NCAA Tournament résumé? It’s just as strong.
Arizona has missed the Big Dance only four times in that span - and that’s including years when the tournament was held. That kind of reliability puts them in rare air among college programs.
What head coach Tommy Lloyd has done since taking over is nothing short of remarkable. He hasn’t just maintained the standard - he’s raised it. The Wildcats are back to being a national powerhouse, and Lloyd’s ability to recruit, develop, and win at a high level has made Tucson one of the most desirable coaching destinations in the country.
A big part of that success starts at home - literally. The McKale Center remains one of the most intimidating venues in college basketball.
Arizona averaged 14,058 fans per game during the 2024-25 season, good for third in the Big 12 behind Kansas and Iowa State. That’s not just a number - that’s an atmosphere.
It’s the kind of place where opposing teams know they’re in for a battle. Just ask anyone who’s tried to win there.
The Wildcats currently hold a 12-game home winning streak, and last season they went 13-3 at McKale. The only teams to leave Tucson with a win?
BYU, Duke, and Houston - all of whom made it to the 2026 NCAA Tournament Regional Semifinals. That tells you everything you need to know about the level of competition it takes to beat Arizona on their home floor.
And the future? It’s just as bright.
Lloyd and his staff landed the No. 2 recruiting class for 2025, and that talent is already paying dividends. Freshmen Dwayne Aristode, Brayden Burries, Ivan Karchenkov, and Koa Peat are not just part of the team - they’re integral to the eight-man rotation.
That’s a testament to both the staff’s eye for talent and their ability to get young players ready for the moment.
The program’s deep roots in player development and its long list of NBA alumni give Lloyd plenty to sell on the recruiting trail. But truthfully, Arizona kind of sells itself.
As one anonymous Big 12 coach put it: “All that matters in Tucson is Arizona basketball.” That’s not hyperbole - that’s the culture.
The support, the resources, the history - it’s all there.
So while Kansas still sits atop the Big 12 mountain - and deservedly so - Arizona is right there behind them, building something that could challenge that throne. With veteran coaches like Bill Self and Kelvin Sampson still leading their respective programs, the conference is stacked with coaching talent. But don’t be surprised if, within the next five years, Tommy Lloyd becomes the face of the Big 12 coaching fraternity.
Arizona isn’t just a top job in the Big 12. It’s one of the premier destinations in all of college basketball - and the results on the court are backing that up every step of the way.