Charles Barkley isn’t exactly known for subtlety, and during a recent episode of Inside the NBA on ESPN, he made his stance on the 2026 NCAA Tournament crystal clear: “It’s the Arizona Invitational,” he said with a grin. And honestly? He’s not alone in thinking that.
Right now, Arizona isn’t just hot - they’re blazing. The Wildcats are sitting atop every major poll: the AP Top 25, the USA Today Coaches Poll, KenPom, and the NCAA’s own NET Rankings.
That kind of across-the-board dominance doesn’t just happen. It’s the product of elite talent, execution, and a coaching staff that’s clearly pressing all the right buttons.
As it stands, they’re the projected No. 1 overall seed in ESPN’s Bracketology - and that’s not just a nod to their résumé; it’s a reflection of how they’ve separated themselves from the pack.
But the road ahead isn’t exactly a walk through Tucson. Arizona has one more tune-up before they hit a brutal stretch: four straight games against ranked opponents, starting February 9 at Kansas.
That’s the kind of gauntlet that can either sharpen a title contender or expose some cracks. Either way, we’re about to learn a lot more about just how tournament-ready this team really is.
Barkley’s affection for Arizona hoops isn’t new. He’s been bullish on the Wildcats in past tournaments, picking them to make deep runs in 2015, 2017, and 2022.
Each time, Arizona looked the part of a contender - until they didn’t. In 2015, they ran into a buzzsaw in top-seeded Wisconsin.
In 2017, it was Xavier pulling off a stunner in the Sweet 16. And in 2022, Houston’s physical defense proved too much in the South Regional Semifinal.
So while Barkley’s confidence is unwavering, history has shown that March can be unforgiving, even to the most stacked rosters.
Still, Barkley’s words carry weight, especially during March Madness coverage. Since 2011, Inside the NBA has been a staple of the NCAA Tournament’s studio coverage, with Barkley, Ernie Johnson Jr., Shaquille O’Neal, and Kenny Smith providing a mix of entertainment and insight. And when Selection Sunday rolls around on March 15, they’ll be back at it, breaking down matchups and potential upsets as the madness kicks off on March 19.
Barkley, who’s lived in Scottsdale since his trade to the Phoenix Suns back in 1992, has long had a soft spot for Arizona basketball. Maybe it’s proximity, maybe it’s nostalgia - after all, Lute Olson’s first season with the Wildcats came in 1983-84, the same year Barkley entered the NBA.
But his admiration for the program has also come with some tough love. He’s publicly addressed the Deandre Ayton payment scandal and called Arizona’s departure from the Pac-12 to the Big 12 “sad and unfortunate.”
Still, this season feels different. Arizona isn’t just winning - they’re dominating.
And if they can survive that upcoming ranked-team gauntlet, Barkley might not be far off with his “Arizona Invitational” moniker. The Wildcats have the talent, the track record, and the momentum.
Now it’s just a matter of whether they can finally turn potential into a championship run.