Undefeated Start to 2025-26 Season
Arizona's men's basketball team has established itself as a national contender with an 11-0 record through December 22, 2025. The Wildcats opened their season against defending NCAA tournament champion Florida, securing a 93-87 victory at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This statement win set the tone for a dominant non-conference schedule.
The team's success has been built on consistent performances against quality opponents. Arizona defeated No. 15 UCLA 69-65 on the road, No. 3 UConn 71-67, No. 12 Alabama 96-75 away from home, and No. 20 Auburn 97-68 at McKale Center. These victories against ranked programs demonstrate Arizona's ability to compete at the highest level of college basketball.
Big 12 Conference Competition Ahead
Arizona's transition to the Big 12 Conference brings a challenging slate of opponents for the 2025-26 season. The Wildcats will face multiple ranked teams throughout conference play, including No. 10 BYU, No. 8 Houston, No. 3 Iowa State, No. 17 Kansas, and No. 15 Texas Tech. These matchups will test Arizona's depth and resilience as the season progresses.
Key conference games include home contests against Kansas State, Cincinnati, West Virginia, Oklahoma State, and Texas Tech, as well as road trips to Utah, TCU, BYU, Kansas, Houston, Baylor, and Colorado. The conference tournament begins in March 2026, with Arizona's final regular season game scheduled for March 7, 2026, against Colorado.
Team Composition and Coaching
Head coach Tommy Lloyd leads the Wildcats in his fifth season, bringing stability and success to the program. Lloyd has established Arizona as a competitive force in college basketball, evidenced by the team's strong non-conference performance and national ranking.
The roster includes experienced contributors such as Jaden Bradley, Anthony Dell'Orso, and Tobe Awaka, who have delivered consistent performances throughout the early season. The team's balanced approach to offense and defense has enabled Arizona to maintain its undefeated record while preparing for the rigors of Big 12 conference play.