A look at Arizona men's basketball's nonconference opponents in 2025-26

Arizona's nonconference schedule features a couple of fellow Wildcats, old foes and more for the 2025-26 season. (Listed in order of game date)

FLORIDA GATORS

Date/time/TV: Nov. 3, 5 p.m., TNT

Game location: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas

School location: Gainesville, Fla.

Series history: Arizona is 2-2 against Florida but hasn’t faced the Gators since an entertaining two-year home-and-home series during the Sean Miller era: Florida beat the Wildcats 78-72 in overtime on Dec. 7, 2011, in Gainesville, but UA pulled out a 65-64 win at McKale on Dec. 15, 2012.

Coach: Todd Golden (76-33 in three seasons at Florida; 133-69 in six seasons overall)

Last season: 36-4 overall, 14-4 SEC (2nd), NCAA champion, Kenpom rank No. 3

Big losses: G Walter Clayton (18.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 4.2 apg), G Alijah Martin (14.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg), G Will Richard (13.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg), G Denzel Aberdeen

Top returnees: F Thomas Haugh (9.8 ppg, 6.1 rpg), F Alex Condon (10.6 ppg, 7.5 rpg), C Rueben Chinyelu (6.0 ppg, 6.6 rpg)

Impact additions: G Boogie Fland (13.5 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 5.1 apg at Arkansas), G Xaivian Lee (16.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 5.5 apg at Princeton)

Outlook: The Gators might be the top model for today’s college basketball world. Without a single Top 100 high school player last season, but instead loaded with transfers, they won the national title. Their roster construction is similar this season, without NCAA Tournament hero Clayton but with a strong returning core and high-level Arkansas transfer Fland, provided he returns successfully from hernia surgery over the summer.

He said it: “When (Fland) was healthy, he came in and actually looked great, and they're all great kids. They're awesome players, but there's no selfishness. I think they're gonna be really, really good together." — Golden, to the Gainesville Sun in June.

UTAH TECH TRAILBLAZERS

Date/time/TV: Nov. 7, TBA, TBA

Game location: McKale Center

School location: St. George, Utah

Series history: Arizona has only faced the Trailblazers once before, beating them 104-77 on Nov. 17, 2022, when the Wildcats set a school record by making all 22 free throws they took.

Coach: Jon Judkins (338-229 in 20 seasons at Utah Tech, 622-357 in 32 seasons overall)

Last season: 7-26 overall, 2-14 WAC (9th), Kenpom ranking 301

Big losses: G Noa Gonsalves (13.8 ppg,2.9 rpg), C Boen Riley (13.0 ppg, 7.6 rpg)

Top returnees: F Samuel Ariyibi (8.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg), G Madiba Owona (8.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg)

Impact additions: F Noah Balonga (2.6 ppg at St. Bonaventure), G Boston Harker (juco transfer), G Chance Trujillo (juco transfer), F Ethan Potter (7.0 ppg, 4.1 rpg at Utah Valley), F Jusuan Holt (5.4 ppg, 5.0 rpg in 2023-24 at Kennesaw State; redshirted last season).

Outlook: After finishing a bumpy transition from Division I that began in 2020, Utah Tech celebrated its first season as a full D-I member by losing nine games in the final possession, according to Judkins. Now the Trailblazers will spend one final season in the WAC before moving to the Big Sky along with nearby Southern Utah University in 2026-27

He said it: “We have more guys who can shoot and get to the basket this year. We’ve also got guys who are quick, athletic and long, and that should help us on the defensive end.” — Judkins, to Blue Ribbon Yearbook

NAU LUMBERJACKS

Date/time/TV: Nov. 11, TBA, TBA

Game location: McKale Center

School location: Flagstaff

Series history: Arizona leads its second-most-frequently-played in-state opponent 101-27 and hasn’t lost to the Lumberjacks since 1968-69. But the teams haven’t met since 2021-22, largely because UA coach Tommy Lloyd didn't want to coach against his son, Liam, who was playing for NAU before joining the Wildcats last season.

Coach: Shane Burcar (75-111 in five seasons at NAU and overall)

Last season: 18-16 overall, 8-10 Big Sky (tie/6th), CBI first round, Kenpom ranking 251

Big losses: G Trent McLaughlin (22.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg), F Carson Towt (13.4 ppg, 12.4 rpg)

Top returnees: G Oakland Fort (4.3 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 1.8 apg), F Diego Campisano (7.1 ppg, 2.3 rpg), G Ryan Abelman (4.9 ppg, 2.2 rpg)

Impact additions: F Arne Osojnik (7.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg at Eastern Michigan), G Chris Komin (freshman), G Kavon Bradford (4.1 ppg, 1.7 rpg at Buffalo), F Amare King (three-star freshman), F Walker Timme (juco transfer)

Outlook: After taking over in 2019 for Jack Murphy, who left NAU to become UA’s associate head coach, Burcar has led the Lumberjacks slowly upward. NAU made its first postseason appearance in a decade last season, though it still has not compiled a winning record in the Big Sky during that time. But losing Towt (to Notre Dame) and McLaughlin is a huge blow.

He said it: “We recruit to win today. … Let’s do better in the conference and hopefully represent the conference in the NCAA Tournament. And then let’s build a new team next year. That’s the reality of our sport today, no matter where you are.” — Burcar, to Blue Ribbon Yearbook

UCLA BRUINS

Date/time/TV: Nov. 14, TBA, TBA

Game location: Intuit Dome, Los Angeles

School location: Los Angeles

Series history: UCLA leads what was the Pac-12’s marquee basketball rivalry 50-64, and edged the Wildcats 57-54 in their first post-Pac-12 matchup last season in Phoenix.

Coach: Mick Cronin (138-64 in six seasons at UCLA; 503-235 in 22 seasons overall)

Last season: 23-11 overall, 13-7 Big Ten (tie/4th), NCAA Tournament second round, Kenpom rating 20

Big losses: G Dylan Andrews (6.9 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 3.4 apg), F Kobe Johnson (7.9 ppg, 5.9 rpg), G Sebastian Mack (9.6 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 1.7 apg), C Aday Mara (6.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg), F Lazar Stefanovic (4.7 ppg, 1.9 rpg)

Top returnees: G Skyy Clark (8.5 ppg, 2.8 rpg), F Eric Dailey (11.4 ppg, 4.0 rpg), F Tyler Bilodeau (13.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg)

Impact additions: C Xavier Booker (4.7 ppg, 2.2 rpg at Michigan State), C Steven Jamerson (10.0 ppg, 7.8 rpg at San Diego), G Jamar Brown (17.0 ppg, 7.1 rpg at Kansas City)

Outlook: Unhappy about seeing the Statue of Liberty too many times during cross-country trips last season, Cronin scheduled the Bruins only on the West Coast outside of Big Ten play this season. He also added several Southern Californians, most notably New Mexico transfer Donovan Dent, to a roster with an already unusually strong returning core for the transfer portal era.

He said it: “Obviously, it’s a different time. Everybody’s got transfers. Everybody’s kind of peeling together new teams. But I guess we’ve got a lot of players back compared to the rest of the country.” — Cronin, to Blue Ribbon Yearbook

UCONN HUSKIES

Date/time/TV: Nov. 19, TBA, TBA

Game location: Storrs, Conn.

School location: Storrs, Conn.

Series history: UConn won the first five games in the series, including a 65-63 game in the 2011 Elite Eight, but Arizona has won the past two, a 73-58 win at McKale in 2017-18 and a 76-72 game in Hartford, Conn., in 2018-19.

Coach: Dan Hurley (165-69 in seven seasons at UConn, 316-174 in 15 seasons overall)

Last season: 24-11 overall, 14-6 Big East (3rd), NCAA second round, Kenpom rating 32

Big losses: G Hassan Diarra (7.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg), C Samson Johnson (7.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg), F Liam McNeeley (14.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg)

Top returnees: G Solo Ball (14.4 ppg, 3.6 rpg), F Jaylin Stewart (5.4 ppg, 2.4 rpg), F Alex Karaban (14.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg), C Tarris Reed (9.6 ppg, 7.3 rpg)

Impact additions: G Silas Demary (13.5 ppg, 3.9 rpg at Georgia), G Malachi Smith (10.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg at Dayton), G Braylon Mullins (five-star freshman), F Eric Reibe (four-star freshman), G Jacob Furphy (four-star freshman from Australia)

Outlook: If anyone had a more depressing Thanksgiving last season than Arizona, which went 1-2 in the Bahamas, it was UConn. The Huskies came off their second straight national title to go 0-3 at the Maui Invitational and never fully recovered, thanks largely to a porous defense. While they could be better this time, the rest of the Big East has grown more formidable.

He said it: “I think to get back to a relentless pursuit is refreshing. … The championship feeling is great, too, but it’s relentless pursuit, being on a mission, kind of attacking it.” — Hurley, to Blue Ribbon Yearbook

DENVER PIONEERS

Date/time/TV: Nov. 24, TBA, TBA

Game location: McKale Center

School location: Denver

Series history: Arizona is 3-1 against Denver but hasn’t faced the Pioneers in 40 years, when the Wildcats won 63-54 at McKale.

Coach: Tim Bergstraser (first season at Denver, 5-22 in three seasons overall)

Last season: 11-21 overall, 5-13 Summit League (tie/6th), Kenpom rating 311

Big losses: G DeAndre Craig (13.5 ppg, 2.7 apg), G Nicholas Shogbonyo (12.7 ppg, 4.6 rpg), G Sebastian Akins (12.7 ppg, 2.7 apg)

Top returnees: G Josh Lee (6.6 ppg, 2.8 rpg)

Impact additions: G Julius Rolliins (9.5 ppg, 4.3 at Western Illinois), G Zane Nelson (Division II transfer), G Carson Johnson (Division II transfer), G Corleone Dandridge (redshirted in 2024-25),  F Logan Kinsey (Division II transfer), F Ian Motta (10.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg at Bucknell), F Jeremiah Burke (3.6 pg, 1.9 rpg at North Dakota State)

Outlook: Is there really much difference between low-level Division I programs and top Division II schools? Denver and Bergstraser are about to find out. After Bergstraser left Division II Minnesota State-Moorhead to take over for the fired Juff Wulbrun last spring, he brought four of his players with him and 11 newcomers overall, quickly rebuilding the Pioneers’ roster. There’s talent, but also a lot of adjustment ahead for everyone.

He said it: “We recruited underdog guys (at Minnesota State-Moorhead) — tough, maybe less talented, but guys with an edge. That’s who I like to coach. … If we compete and fight every game, I’ll tip my cap. We’re going to lose some games, that’s just part of it, but effort and heart will define us.” — Bergstraster, to Denver’s Channel 7.

NORFOLK STATE SPARTANS

Date/time/TV: Nov. 29, TBA, TBA

Game location: McKale Center

School location: Norfolk, Va.

Series history: UA has never played Norfolk State

Coach: Robert Jones (246-159 in 12 seasons at Norfolk State and overall)

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Last season: 24-11, 11-3 (MEAC), first round NCAA Tournament, Kenpom rating 178

Big losses: Brian Moore (18.1 ppg, 3.7 rpg), G Christian Ings (12.1 ppg, 2.1 rpg), F Jalen Myers (10.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg), F Kuluel Mading (7.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg), G Jaylani Darden (6.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg)

Top returnees: F Dramane Camara (2.0 ppg, 1.4 rpg), F Melo Baines (2.8 ppg, 1.9 rpg)

Impact additions: G Elijah Johnson (9.0 ppg, 1.0 rpg at UNC Wilmington), F Devon Ellis (11.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg at Valparaiso), G Dian Wright-Forde (6.4 ppg, 1.3 rpg at Texas A&M Corpus Christi), G Anthony McComb (12.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg at New Hampshire), G Ahmad Torrence (three-star freshman)

Outlook: With four straight 20-win seasons and an NCAA Tournament berth last season, Jones has a proven formula for navigating a mid-major program in the transfer portal era. But he has a particularly tough challenge this season, having lost his top nine scorers from a team that lost to eventual national champion Florida in the NCAA Tournament, and his reloaded roster lacks interior size.

He said it: “This is the least amount of returners we’ve pretty much ever had. I joke with (staffers) 'Good thing we won the championship last year — it’s some extra security, because this could go one of two ways: this could go great, or this could go disastrously. With that championship, you get a couple years of people not really bothering you too much.” — Jones, to Blue Ribbon Yearbook

AUBURN TIGERS

Date/time/TV: Dec. 6, TBA, TBA

Game location: McKale Center

School location: Auburn, Ala.

Series history: Arizona has lost both games it has played against Auburn, in the first round of the 1986 NCAA Tournament in Long Beach, Calif., and in the first round of the 2018 Maui Invitational.

Coach: Steven Pearl (first year at Auburn and overall)

Last season: 32-6 overall, 15-3 SEC (1st), NCAA Tournament semifinals, Kenpom rating 4

Big losses: F Johni Broome (18.6 ppg, 10.8 rpg), F Chad Baker-Mazara (12.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.7 apg), G Miles Kelly (11.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg), C Dylan Cardwell (5.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg), G Denver Jones (10.9 ppg, 2.0 rpg), F Chaney Johnson (9.1 ppg, 4.9 rpg)

Top returnees: G Tahaad Pettiford (11.6 ppg, 2.2 rpg),

Impact additions: F Keyshawn Hall (18.8 ppg, 7.1 rpg at UCF), G Abdul Bashir (juco transfer), F Elyjah Freeman (Division II transfer), C KeShawn Murphy (11.7 ppg, 7.4 rpg at Mississippi State), G Kevin Overton (7.8 ppg, 3.7 rpg at Texas Tech), C Emeka Opurum (juco transfer), G Kaden Magwood (four-star freshman), F Sebastian Williams-Adams (four-star freshman), G Simon Walker (four-star freshman)

Outlook: The Auburn team that enters McKale won’t look anything like the one that was given the No. 1 overall seed in last season’s NCAA Tournament. Even before Bruce Pearl retired in September, the timing prompting Auburn to hire his son as a replacement, the Tigers had lost all five starters and 10 scholarship players overall. Pettiford is the only returnee from last season — and only after he withdrew from the NBA Draft.

He said it: “I fully understand the weight of this opportunity. I embraced it with gratitude, humility and resolve. I know it comes with a tremendous opportunity.” — Pearl, at his introductory news conference 

ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE

Date/time/TV: Dec. 13, TBA, TBA

Game location: Legacy Arena, Birmingham, Ala.

School location: Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Series history: Arizona is 2-3 against the UA of the SEC. Each school defended its homecourt during a two-year series in 2017-18 and 2018-19, while the Wildcats beat Alabama 87-74 in Phoenix on Dec. 20, 2023, during the first game of the current two-game, semi-neutral series.

Coach: Nate Oats (145-63 in six seasons at Alabama, 241-106 in 10 seasons overall)

Last season: 28-9 overall, 13-5 SEC (3rd), NCAA Elite Eight, Kenpom rating 6

Big losses: G Mark Sears (18.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 5.1 apg), F Grant Nelson (11.5 ppg, 7.6 rpg), C Clifford Omoruyi (7.9 ppg, 6.5 rpg), G Chris Youngblood (10.3 ppg, 2.3 rpg), F Mouhamed Dioubate (7.2 ppg, 5.9 rpg)

Top returnees: G Labaron Philon (10.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.8 apg), G Aden Holloway (11.4 ppg, 1.9 rpg), C Aiden Sherrell (3.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg), G Latrell Wrightsell (11.5 ppg, 1.8 rpg)

Impact additions: F Jalil Bethea (7.1 ppg, 2.1 rpg at Miami), F Taylor Bol Bowen (8.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg at Florida State), C Noah Williamson (17.6 ppg, 7.6 rpg at Bucknell), G Amari Allen (four-star freshman), F Keitenn Bristow (11.3 ppg, 4.3 rpg at Tarleton State), F London Jemison (four-star freshman)

Outlook: Alabama is Exhibit A for why, like it or not, NIL is keeping some of college basketball’s best players in the game. Alabama’s NIL collective announced Philon’s return just before the NCAA’s deadline to withdraw from the NBA Draft, and the Tide will be built around the dynamic combo guard, who was briefly an Arizona recruiting target.

He said it: “I like our group…. We’ve got some scoring to replace, but we've got pieces. I think if we can get them connected and on the same page and playing hard together, we've got a chance to be pretty good again." — Oats, to The Sideline with Andy Katz

ABILENE CHRISTIAN WILDCATS

Date/time/TV: Dec. 16, TBA, TBA

Game location: McKale Center

School location: Abilene, Texas

Series history: UA has never faced Abilene Christian in men’s basketball.

Coach: Brett Tanner (70-62 in four seasons at Abilene Christian and overall)

Last season: 16-16, 8-8 in WAC (tie, fourth), Kenpom ranking 221

Big losses: F Leonardo Bettiol (13.1 ppg, 3.9 rpg), G Hunter Jack Madden (8.9 ppg, 2.3 rpg)

Top returnees: G Quion Williams (13.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg), G Rich Smith (5.2 ppg, 3.2 apg), F Bradyn Hubbard (10.2 ppg, 5.6 rpg).

Impact additions: G Chilaydrien Newton, G Charlie Yoder (NAIA transfer), G Cbo Newton (7.0 ppg, 2.4 rpg at Grambling), F Joseph Scott (juco transfer), G Tylan Lewis (freshman).

Outlook: In a world where mid-major teams are routinely robbed of talent every transfer portal season, the Wildcats of west-central Texas are an outlier. They return seven players, including two starters, from a group that won seven of its 10 final games last season. If Abilene Christian can improve its woeful shooting team last season (28.9% from 3-point range), their defense could make them even more competitive: ACU had the highest defensive turnover rate in Division I last season, with opponents turning the ball over on 24.0% of their possessions.

He said it: “We’re going to be good defensively, and we’re going to put the ball in the basket and score better than our teams the past two years. So on paper, it looks pretty good but we’ll see how it turns out.” — Tanner, to Blue Ribbon Yearbook

SAN DIEGO STATE AZTECS

Date/time/TV: Dec. 20, TBA, TBA

Game location: PHX Arena, Phoenix

School location: San Diego

Series history: Arizona leads SDSU 25-7 and has won the past five games, starting with the Wildcats’ 68-67 win in the championship game of the 2012-13 Diamond Head Classic. The teams had regular home-and-home series during the eras of coaches Lute Olson and Sean Miller but haven't met at McKale Center since the Aztecs beat the Wildcats 61-57 during the 2011-12 season.

Coach: Brian Dutcher (198-68 in eight seasons at SDSU and overall)

Last season: 21-10, 14-6 in Mountain West (tie, 4th), NCAA First Four, Kenpom ranking 51

Big losses: G Nick Boyd (13.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 3.9 apg), F Jared Coleman-Jones (7.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg), G Wayne McKinney (6.4 ppg, 1.5 rpg)

Top returnees: G Reese Waters (injured in 2024-25), F Miles Byrd (12.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg), G BJ Davis (9.0 ppg, 3.0 rpg), C Magoon Gwath (8.5 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 2.6 bpg), G Taj DeGourville (5.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg),

Impact additions: G Sean Newman (9.9 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 7.9 apg at Louisiana Tech), G Elzie Harrington (four-star freshman), F Jeremiah Oden (injured in 2024-25 at Charlotte), F Tae Simmons (four-star freshman).

Outlook: Before they head off to the resurrected Pac-12 next season, San Diego State might have enough to pull in a final Mountain West title. The Aztecs return six of nine rotation players, including three starters, and added key players from high school and the transfer portal. SDSU should be especially stiff again on the defensive end, where they ranked No. 16 in efficiency last season.

He said it: “We’re going to try to be as efficient as we can be offensively, playing with great freedom and trying to find a way to put the ball in the basket. The nights when it goes in, we're going to win by good margins. The nights when it doesn’t go in, we’re going to win with our defense. We’re going to try to find a way to win games.” — Dutcher, during a preseason news conference at SDSU

BETHUNE-COOKMAN WILDCATS

Date/time/TV: Dec. 22, TBA, TBA

Game location: McKale Center

School location: Daytona Beach, Fla.

Series history: Arizona beat Bethune-Cookman 78-45 at McKale Center in 2010-11, the only time UA has faced the Wildcats of Florida.

Coach: Reggie Theus (55-74 four seasons at B-CU, 149-202 in 11 seasons overall)

Last season: 17-16 overall, 13-5 SWAC (3rd), Kenpom rating 286

Big losses: G Trey Thomas (16.2 ppg, 3.6 rpg), G Brayon Freeman (16.2 ppg, 2.8 rpg)

Top returnees: F Daniel Rouzan (11.8 ppg, 5.5 rpg), G Seneca Willoughby (4.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.0 apg)

Impact additions: G Doctor Bradley (19.6 ppg, 9.5 rpg at Arkansas-Pine Bluff), G Zion Harmon (three games at Seton Hall), F Jakobi Heady (15.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg at Central Michigan), F Quentin Heady (4.3 ppg, 1.9 rpg at Central Michigan), G Arterio Morris (juco transfer)

Outlook: A former NBA all-star, as well as an ex-coach at New Mexico State and Cal State Northridge, Theus has B-CU in position to make a run for the SWAC title. The Wildcats won 13 SWAC games last season for the first time in 15 years and return two key players: Harmon, an all-SWAC pick in 2023-24 who didn’t get off the bench at Seton Hall last season, and Heady, who played well at Central Michigan. Key forward Reggie Ward will sit out as a redshirt because of a torn ACL, however.

He said it: “We've brought in talent with experience that we believe will elevate our program. Our goal is to build on last season's success and compete for the SWAC championship. … The opportunity to coach this team with the amount of talent we’ve brought in — it’s exciting to think about.” — Theus, in a Bethune-Cookman news release

SOUTH DAKOTA STATE JACKRABBITS

Date/time/TV: Dec. 29, TBA, TBA

Game location: McKale Center

School location: Brookings, S.D.

Series history: Arizona beat South Dakota State 71-64 at McKale Center early in 2019-2020 during the only previous meeting of the two programs.

Coach: Bryan Petersen (first year at South Dakota State and overall)

Last season: 20-12 overall, 11-5 Summit League (3rd), Kenpom rating 137

Big losses: C Oscar Cluff (17.6 ppg, 12.3 rpg), G Owen Larson (9.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg)

Top returnees: G Joe Sayler (12.7 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 1.9 apg), G Kalen Garry (11.7 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.5 apg), F Matthew Mors (8.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg)

Impact additions: G Luke Haertle (Division II transfer), F Caleb Delzell (Division II transfer), C Alex Squires (freshman), G Trey Buchanon (Iowa transfer)

Outlook: Cluff, the former Cochise College center from Australia, took off for Purdue after emerging into a star at (the other) SDSU last season, and coach Eric Henderson left to take over at Drake. But the Jackrabbits still have a strong returning core with three returning starters, two key rotation players and a new coach in Petersen, who has spent the past six seasons in Brookings as an assistant.

He said it: “A lot of good coaches can galvanize 10 to 13 new guys together. I’m fortunate to have a lot of guys back. That doesn’t guarantee success but it can help when times get tough.” — Petersen, to Blue Ribbon Yearbook