Arizona’s place in the college basketball pecking order hasn’t changed much, even after a Final Four run that sent three major pieces out the door.
Tommy Lloyd’s Wildcats are still being viewed as one of the sport’s top teams heading into 2026-27. Evan Miyakawa’s preseason rankings at EvanMiya.com slotted Arizona at No. 4 nationally, trailing only Florida, Duke, and Illinois.
Gonzaga came in just behind the Wildcats at No. 5.
There’s another layer to the projection, too. EvanMiya also released adjusted rankings based on whether players currently in eligibility limbo are ruled ineligible.
In Arizona’s case, that means RJ Godfrey. Even with that adjustment, the Wildcats only slipped one spot, from No. 4 to No.
That’s a strong sign for a roster that lost Big 12 Player of the Year Jaden Bradley along with one-and-done freshmen Koa Peat and Brayden Burries. But Arizona isn’t starting from scratch. The program is bringing back two high-end pieces in center Mo Krivas and forward Ivan Kharchenkov, and both are expected to land on preseason All-Big 12 lists.
Krivas, a Lithuanian senior, is getting real national buzz. EvanMiya ranked him No. 13 overall in college basketball. He put up 10.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game last season while shooting 58.4% on twos and 78% at the line.
Kharchenkov is drawing his own breakout chatter after posting 10.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.4 steals per game. The 6-foot-7 German brings versatility on defense and finishes efficiently at the rim, and if his outside shot keeps coming along, he has a path to the Big 12 First Team in just his second college season.
Lloyd also reloaded through the 2026 recruiting class. Five-star guard Caleb Holt and four-star wing Cameron Holmes both arrive as key additions.
Holt is being talked about as a top-10 pick in the 2027 NBA draft and even a possible No. 1 overall selection if he delivers the season plenty of people expect. He’s set to start at the two alongside Kharchenkov and North Carolina transfer point guard Derek Dixon, and he should be Arizona’s primary perimeter scorer.
Holmes brings athleticism, versatility, and two-way value, and he’s expected to carve out a role immediately in Tucson. Depending on Godfrey’s eligibility situation, Holmes could even be in line to start right away.
Arizona is one of seven Big 12 teams in EvanMiya’s top 30, joining Houston at No. 7, Texas Tech at No.
12, Iowa State at No. 14, BYU at No.
24, Baylor at No. 26, and Kansas at No. 28.
The league’s rankings could still shift if the eligibility situations break a certain way. Texas Tech drops 15 spots and BYU falls eight if their players in limbo are ruled ineligible, while Baylor and Kansas each gain seven.
Arizona opens the 2026-27 season against UCLA, ranked No. 21/17, on Monday, Nov. 2, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Tipoff is set for 7:00 PM PT.
In Other News...
Arizona Has A Real Shot At A Recruit Wildcats Fans Know Well
Arizonas recruiting buzz will get a familiar twist later this month when Kamsi Awaka comes to Tucson for an official visit. The four-star center in the 2027 class is the younger brother of Tobe Awaka, so plenty of Wildcats fans already know the family name, and his trip will line up with Arizonas Red-Blue showcase alongside several other high-level recruits.
For Arizona, the visit matters because Awaka is drawing national attention and has a crowded list of schools involved. He already has official trips set with Michigan State and Michigan, and UConn and Florida are in his top five, which gives the Wildcats real competition to overcome. Still, getting him on campus for a marquee fall weekend is the kind of step that can make this one worth watching closely. [Read more 🡒]
Arizona Still Has One Big Frontcourt Question Hanging Over This Season
Arizonas frontcourt picture still has one unresolved layer hanging over it as RJ Godfrey waits for a final answer on his status. The Clemson transfer has already been cleared to practice and travel with the team, giving the Wildcats access to his presence around the program, but game eligibility remains another matter as the school and player continue to work through the process.
Godfreys case sits inside the NCAAs new 5 for 5 policy and the broader legal fight around it, with his lawyers still seeking a resolution. He has said he believes he will suit up this season, but he has also made clear he would find ways to help Arizona even if the answer never comes through on the court. [Read more 🡒]
Brent Brennan Sees One Arizona Fix Fans Are Still Waiting On
Brent Brennan came away from Arizonas first two games with enough to like about the rosters overall shape, especially on offense. He pointed to a receiver group that has given the Wildcats useful options in Tre Spivey, Chris Hunter, Rodney Gallagher and Brandon Phelps, while also noting that the offensive line has had its good moments even if second-half penalties have interrupted the rhythm. On the other side of the ball, he also liked the depth and rotation along the defensive line and the way the secondary has started to come together early in the season.
Still, the most revealing part of Brennans read was the reminder that Arizona is not yet at full strength in one spot that matters for the passing game. The Wildcats are also navigating a fresh opportunity for freshman Caleb Smith, whose role has grown with Giovanni Richardson unavailable, and that gives the staff another piece to develop as the offense keeps sorting itself out. For a team trying to keep building momentum, the wideouts may be ready for a bigger share, but the next step is making sure the rest of the passing structure catches up. [Read more 🡒]