Men's college basketball: Kansas, Houston should pace loaded Big 12, featuring 5 AP Top 10 teams (including Arizona)

The Star's Bruce Pascoe breaks down every Big-12 team's returners, newcomers, storylines and trends as Arizona's 2024-25 men's basketball season gets underway.

Teams are listed in the order they were voted in the Big 12's official preseason coaches poll.

1. KANSAS JAYHAWKS

Game with UA: March 8 at Allen Fieldhouse, Lawrence, Kansas

School location: Lawrence, Kansas

Series history: Kansas leads 8-4 in a long-dormant rivalry that was last renewed at the 2010-11 Las Vegas Invitational, when the Jayhawks beat the eventual Elite Eight-bound Wildcats 87-79.

Coach: Bill Self (603-143 in 21 seasons at Kansas, 795-248 in 31 years overall)

Last season: 23-11 overall, 10-8 Big 12 (tie/5th), NCAA second round, KenPom rating 27

Big losses: G Kevin McCullar (18.4 ppg, 6.0 rpg), F Johnny Furphy (9.0 ppg, 4.9 rpg).

Top returnees: C Hunter Dickinson (10.7 ppg, 10.9 rpg), G Dajuan Harris (8.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg), F KJ Adams (12.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg)

Impact additions: G Zeke Mayo (18.8 ppg, 5.7 rpg at South Dakota State), F Rylen Griffen (11.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg at Alabama), G AJ Storr (16.8 ppg, 3.9 rpg at Wisconsin), G Shakeel Moore (7.9 ppg, 2.2 rpg at Mississippi State), C Flory Bidunga (five-star freshman)

Outlook: Stung by an uncharacteristically rough season that finished with five losses over the final seven games — including a 23-point loss to Gonzaga in the second round of the NCAA Tournament — Self (with presumed help from Kansas’ NIL collective) put together a much deeper and more experienced roster this season. The Jayhawks lost no transfers and brought in three impact players from the portal — Griffen, Storr, and Mayo. It probably helps the Jayhawks that they don’t have to visit McKale Center, too.

He said it: “We were not as athletic as we need to be (last season). Our perimeter shooting was not what we had hoped for. We needed bodies too. I think we were able to address the majority of those needs.” — Self, to Blue Ribbon Yearbook

2. HOUSTON COUGARS

Game with UA: Feb. 15 at McKale Center.

School location: Houston

Series history: Houston tied the series at 6-6 when the Cougars ousted the Wildcats from the 2022 NCAA Sweet 16, winning 72-60 at San Antonio. Before that, Arizona swept a home-and-home series over Houston in 2007-08 and 2008-09.

Coach: Kelvin Sampson (264-79 in 10 seasons at Kansas, 689-306 in 31 seasons overall)

Last season: 32-5 overall, 15-3 Big 12 (1st), NCAA Sweet 16, KenPom rating 2

Big losses: G Jamal Shead (12.9 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 6.3 apg), G Damian Dunn (6.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg)

Top returnees: G L.J. Cryer (15.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 38.8% 3FG), G Emanuel Sharp (12.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 37.3% 3FG), F J’Wan Roberts (9.5 ppg, 6.8 rpg), F Ja’Vier Francis (6.0 ppg, 5.2 rpg), G Mylik Wilson (4.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg)

Impact additions: G Milos Uzan (9.0 ppg, 3.4 rpg at Oklahoma), G Mercy Miller (four-star freshman), F Chase McCarty (four-star freshman)

Outlook: So who says it’s tough to compete in a new conference that also happens to be the best in college basketball? Not Houston, which won 14 of its final 15 Big 12 games (losing only at Kansas) to win the league by two games. This time, the Cougars lose only one starter, Shead, but it’s a huge loss. They will fill that spot with Uzon and hope that a deeper, veteran roster makes up the difference overall. Sampson has enough on hand to win the Big 12 again and maybe even the NCAA title.

He said it: “We keep putting ourselves in position. Tiger Woods said it best: `If you keep putting yourself on the back nine on Sunday, you have a chance.’ That’s all you can do.” — Sampson, to Blue Ribbon Yearbook

3. IOWA STATE CYCLONES

Games with UA: Jan. 27 at McKale Center; March 1 at Hilton Coliseum, Ames, Iowa

School location: Ames, Iowa

Series history: Arizona leads 4-3, though the teams have only played once in the past quarter-century. The Wildcats beat the Cyclones 71-66 in the first round of the 2018-19 Maui Invitational.

Coach: T.J. Otzelberger (70-35 in three seasons at ISU, 169-98 in eight seasons overall)

Last season: 29-8 overall, 13-5 Big 12 (2nd), NCAA Sweet 16, KenPom rating 8

Big losses: F Robert Jones (7.7 ppg, 4.2 rpg), F Tre King (9.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg), F Hason Ward (6.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg)

Top returnees: G Tamin Lipsey (12.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 4.9 apg), G Keshon Gilbert (13.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 4.2 apg), F Curtis Jones (11.0 ppg, 2.9 rpg), F Milan Momcilovic (10.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.2 apg)

Impact additions: C Dishon Jackson (11.4 ppg, 6.1 rpg at Charlotte), G Nate Heise (13.5 ppg, 6.1 rpg at Northern Iowa), F Joshua Jefferson (10.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg at Saint Mary’s), F Brandton Chatfield (9.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg at Seattle), F Nojus Indrusaitis (four-star freshman)

Outlook: The Cyclones are living a life of luxury, returning their top four scorers and adding strength through the transfer portal. Annually one of the nation’s best defensive teams during Otzelberger’s three-year reign, the Cyclones ascended to the No. 1 spot in defensive efficiency last season, forcing their opponents to turn the ball over on average exactly every fourth time down the floor and holding opponents to 47.4% shooting from 2-point range. Their offensive efficiency improved too, and likely will again this season.

He said it: “Obviously, returning some experienced guys helps. I think we shoot the ball a little better than we have. We’ve got the versatility where we can play four guards or two bigs. If anything, there’s some decent options there if we stay healthy.” — Otzelberger, to Blue Ribbon Yearbook

4. BAYLOR BEARS

Games with UA: Jan. 14 at McKale Center, Feb. 17 at Foster Pavilion, Waco, Texas

School location: Waco, Texas

Series history: Baylor evened the all-time series at 5-5 after sweeping Arizona in a two-year series during the Sean Miller era, with the Bears beating the Wildcats 58-49 in 2018-19 at McKale and 63-58 in 2019-20 at Waco.

Coach: Scott Drew (446-244 in 21 seasons at Baylor, 466-255 in 22 seasons overall)

Last season: 24-11 overall, 11-7 Big 12 (tie/3rd), NCAA second round, KenPom rating 15

Big losses: G Ja’Kobe Walter (14.5 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 37.6% 3FG), G RayJ Dennis (13.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg), F Jalen Bridges (12.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg), C Yves Missi (10.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.5 bpg)

Top returnees: G Jayden Nunn (10.5 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 43.9% 3FG), G Langston Love (11.0 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 48.0% 3FG), C Joshua Ojianwuna (4.9 ppg, 3.4 rpg)

Impact additions: G Jeremy Roach (14.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 3.3 apg, 42.9% 3FG at Duke), G V.J. Edgecombe (five-star freshman), F Norchad Omier (17.0 ppg, 10.0 rpg at Miami-Fla.), F Jason Asemota (four-star freshman), G Rob Wright (four-star freshman), G Jalen Celestine (8.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg at Cal)

Outlook: In an ever-more fluid college basketball world, Baylor is a model of consistency, becoming the only team to have earned a No. 3 NCAA Tournament seed or better in the past four years. Even though the Bears return just one starter this season, that trend could continue — because that one starter (Nunn) might not even crack the new starting lineup considering that Roach arrived from Duke and Edgecombe is a projected high lottery pick who opened eyes while playing alongside former Wildcat Deandre Ayton for the Bahamas last summer. Drew just has to mix the newcomers together, and he's proven pretty good at that.

He said it: “We might not have as much size (as in the past) but I really like the team that we have, our potential and our blend of upperclassmen and freshmen. We have a lot of scoring capability, but we all know defense wins championships.” — Drew, to Blue Ribbon Yearbook

5. ARIZONA WILDCATS

Big 12 schedule: Home and away games against ASU, Baylor, Iowa State, BYU, Texas Tech. Home games only against Houston, TCU, UCF, Colorado, Utah. Away games only against Kansas, Cincinnati, West Virginia, Oklahoma State, Kansas State.

Coach: Tommy Lloyd (88-20 in three seasons at Arizona and overall)

Last season: 27-9 overall, 15-5 Pac-12 (1st), NCAA Sweet 16, KenPom rating 6

Big losses: C Oumar Ballo (12.9 ppg, 10.1 rpg), F Pelle Larsson (12.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg), F Keshad Johnson (11.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg), G Kylan Boswell (9.6 ppg, 3.6 apg)

Top returnees: G Caleb Love (18.0 ppg, 4.8 rpg), G Jaden Bradley (7.0 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 2.0 apg, 46.4% 3FG), G KJ Lewis (6.1 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 1.9 apg), C Motiejus Krivas (5.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg)

Impact additions: F Trey Townsend (17.3 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 3.1 apg at Oakland), C Tobe Awaka (5.1 ppg, 4.6 apg at Tennessee), F Carter Bryant (five-star freshman), G Anthony Dell’Orso (19.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 38.0% 3FG at Campbell), C Emmanuel Stephen (four-star freshman)

Outlook: Big dogs of the old Pac-12, Arizona could face a humbling experience in its new league — and yet still be a Final Four contender. The questions include whether Krivas can grow quickly into the potential he flashed as a freshman and whether Bradley can keep up the team-best efficiency he showed off the bench while playing significantly more minutes. The versatility of Townsend and Bryant should help, as will Love’s fearless scoring.

He said it: “It's an awesome opportunity. We're excited to be part of the conference that is thought to be the number one basketball conference in the country. But it's easy to say No. 1 basketball conference in the country, but now us as a program and us as a conference have got to go out and prove it.” — Lloyd, at an Arizona preseason news conference

6. CINCINNATI BEARCATS

Game with UA: Jan. 4 at Fifth Third Arena, Cincinnati, Ohio.

School location: Cincinnati

Series history: Arizona has won all four games but has faced the Bearcats only once since Miles Simon hit a three-quarter-court buzzer shot to beat them 79-76 on Feb. 11, 1996 in Phoenix. In the first round of the 2022-23 Maui Invitational, Arizona beat Cincinnati 101-93.

Coach: Wes Miller (63-43 in three seasons at Cincinnati, 248-178 in 13 seasons overall)

Last season: 22-15 overall, 7-11 Big 12 (2nd), NIT quarterfinals, KenPom rating 39

Big losses: G John Newman (9.2 ppg, 5.4 rpg), F Viktor Lakim (9.2 ppg, 6.0 rpg), F Jamille Reynolds (5.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg)

Top returnees: G Day Day Thomas (10.4 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 3.3 apg), G Dan Skillings (12.9 ppg, 6.4 rpg), G Jizzle James (8.8 ppg, 1.9 rpg), F Simas Lukosius (11.8 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 38.5% 3FG), F Aziz Bandaogo (6.6 ppg, 7.4 rpg)

Impact additions: F Dillon Mitchell (9.6 ppg, 7.5 rpg at Texas), G Connor Hickman (14.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.9 apg at Bradley), C Arrinton Page (3.1 ppg, 2.1 rpg at USC), F Tyler Betsey (four-star freshman), F Tyler McKinley (four-star freshman)

Outlook: Cincinnati’s first go-round in the Big 12 last season was a cautionary tale. The Bearcats lost by a point to Texas and three points to Baylor in Week 2, then went on to lose eight of 11 league games by five points or less. But Cincinnati now has a battle-tested core of returners to pair with three potential impact transfers. And this time, they’ll get first crack at showing Arizona what it’s like to play a Big 12 road game.

He said it: “How good the league is all the way throughout is what differentiates the league from some of the other power leagues … I think we learned as a program how much we have to continue to work to be able to execute throughout a 20-game league slate in a league of this caliber.” — Miller, to Blue Ribbon Yearbook

7. TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS

Game with UA: Jan. 18 at United Supermarkets Arena, Lubbock, Texas; Feb. 8 at McKale Center

School location: Lubbock, Texas

Series history: Arizona trails the series with its old Border Conference rival 28-24, though the Wildcats have won the past seven in a row, dating back to the 1973-74 season. The teams last met as part of a two-year series in which UA won 85-57 in Lubbock during the 2012-13 season and 79-58 during the 2013-14 season.

Coach: Grant McCasland (23-11 in one season at Texas Tech, 178-88 in eight seasons overall)

Last season: 23-11 overall, 11-7 Big 12 (4th), NCAA first round, KenPom rating 31

Big losses: G Pop Isaacs (15.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg), F Warren Washington (9.7 ppg, 7.4 rpg), G Joe Toussaint (12.2 ppg, 2.6 rpg)

Top returnees: F Darrion Williams (11.4 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 45.8% 3FG), G Kerwin Walton (8.5 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 47.8% 3FG), G Chance McMillan (10.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg), 38.7% 3FG), G Christian Anderson (four-star freshman), F Devan Cambridge (10.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg)

Impact additions: G Elijah Hawkins (9.5ppg, 3.6 rpg, 7.5 apg at Minnesota), G Kevin Overton (11.3 ppg, 3.3 rpg at Drake), F JT Toppin (12.4 ppg, 9.1 rpg at New Mexico), F Federiko Federiko (4.7 ppg, 5.2 rpg at Pittsburgh)

Outlook: After surpassing expectations in McCasland’s debut season in Lubbock, the Red Raiders just might be a dark horse candidate to win the Big 12. They return three steady 3-point shooters in William, Walton and McMillan — and up front added Toppin from the NBA Draft pool and transfer portal. They also get back versatile and energetic former ASU forward Devan Cambridge, who was approved for a sixth season of eligibility after suffering a knee injury last season.

He said it: “They’re connected, they’re tough and they’re competitive. We have a great group … the most important thing is their investment and how we’re going ot play as a team. You can tell we’re committed to getting better defensively, rebounding better and to sharing the ball.” — McCasland, at Texas Tech’s preseason media availability

8. KANSAS STATE WILDCATS

Game with UA: Feb. 11 at Bramlage Coliseum, Manhattan, Kansas

School location: Manhattan, Kansas

Series history: Arizona trails 8-6 but has beaten the Wildcats of Kansas during their past three meetings. UA drummed K-State 125-87 in the 1997-98 Fiesta Bowl Classic at McKale Center and won 88-69 at McKale in 1999-2000. Between Elite Eight appearances in 2014 and 2015, UA also beat Kansas State 72-68 in the semifinals of the 2014-15 Maui Invitational.

Coach: Jerome Tang (45-25 in two seasons at Kansas State and overall)

Last season: 19-15 overall, 8-10 Big 12 (tie/9th), NIT first round, KenPom rating 70

Big losses: F Arthur Kaluma (14.4 ppg, 7.0 rpg), G Tylor Perry (15.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 4.4 apg), Cam Carter (14.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.6 apg), C Will McNair (8.0 ppg, 5.4 rpg)

Top returnees: F David N’Guessan (7.8 ppg, 6.8 rpg), F Macleab Rich (3.8 ppg, 2.5 rpg)

Impact additions: F Coleman Hawkins (12.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg at Illinois), G Dug McDaniel (16.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 4.6 apg at Michigan), G Max Jones (15.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg at Cal State Fullerton), C.J. Jones (11.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 4.8 apg at Illinois-Chicago), C Ugonna Onyenso (3.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.7 bpg at Kentucky), G Mobi Ikegwuruka (juco transfer), G Brendan Hausen (6.2 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 38.1% 3FG at Villlanova), G David Castillo (four-star freshman), F Achor Achor (16.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg at Samford)

Outlook: Nobody may have needed a massive NIL war chest than Tang, who returned just three players from a team that already dropped off from a 26-win team in 2022-23. K-State then went out and grabbed Hawkins, who may be the highest-paid player in college basketball with an NIL deal reportedly worth $2 million, as well as eight other transfers. The chemistry challenge is real, but there’s still potential for a Top 25 finish.

He said it: “You’ve got to have players to compete in this league. You’ve got to have the players who are willing to play for each other and sacrifice and compete every night, give you a chance to win, and I think we’ve done that.” — Tang, to Blue Ribbon Yearbook

Back to homepage

Subscriber Login

Keep reading with a digital access subscription.

Subscribe now

9. BYU COUGARS

Games with UA: Feb. 4 at Marriott Center, Provo, Utah; Feb. 22 at McKale Center

School location: Provo, Utah

Series history: Arizona has a 20-19 record against its former WAC opponent, but the teams haven’t played since Jimmer Fredette led the Cougars to a pair of wins over the Wildcats during the first two seasons of the Sean Miller era (2009-10 and 2010-11). On Dec. 28, 2009, Fredette set the still-standing McKale Center single-game scoring record with 49 points. Fredette dropped another 33 on the Wildcats a year later in Salt Lake City.

Coach: Kevin Young (first year at BYU and overall)

Last season: 23-11 overall, 10-8 Big 12 (tie/5th), NCAA first round, KenPom rating 18

Big losses: G Jaxon Robinson (14.2 ppg, 2.5 rpg), F Noah Waterman (9.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg), G Spencer Johnson (10.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg), C Aly Khalifa (5.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg)

Top returnees: G Trevin Knell (10.6 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 38.5% 3FG), G Dallin Hall (9.0 ppg, 5.0 apg), G Richie Saunders (9.6 ppg, 4.1 rpg), F Fousseyni Traore (10.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg)

Impact additions: C Keba Keita (8.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.0 bpg at Utah, F Mawot Mag (9.1 ppg, 3.8 rpg at Rutgers), G Egor Demin (five-star freshman), F Mihailo Boskovic (freshman), F Kanon Catchings (four-star freshman), F Brody Kozlowski (three-star freshman), G Elijah Crawford (three-star freshman), C Max Triplett (juco transfer)

Outlook: An LDS member, Young left his job as the Phoenix Suns’ associate head coach to take over the Cougars last spring when Mark Pope took off for Kentucky. He managed to pull three key players back out of the portal — Knell, Hall and Saunders — while bringing in a projected 2025 lottery pick, Demin (of Russia), plus Serbian big man Boskovic. Overall, the Cougars have enough talent and experience to at least put together another winning Big 12 record.

He said it: “Having them (Knell, Hall and Saunders) come back was really important for me in just getting to understand BYU, getting to understand the Big 12, from a team that had a really good year in the conference in the first year. These guys want to win. Just learning about their competitive nature and how much winning means to those guys, that kid of sets the tone for the new guys.” — Young, to Blue Ribbon Yearbook

10. TCU HORNED FROGS

Game with UA: Dec. 30 at McKale Center

School location: Fort Worth, Texas

Series history: Arizona is 1-2 against TCU but has only played the Horned Frogs once in the past 70 years — beating TCU 85-80 in overtime of a 2022 NCAA Tournament second-round game in San Diego. The teams have never played on either of their home courts.

Coach: Jamie Dixon (160-110 in eight seasons at TCU, 488-233 in 21 seasons overall)

Last season: 21-13 overall, 9-9 Big 12 (tie/7th), NCAA first round, KenPom rating 43

Big losses: F Emanuel Miller (15.8 ppg, 6.1 rpg), G Micah Peavy (10.3 ppg, 4.9 rpg), Jameer Nelson Jr. (11.2 ppg, 2.6 rpg), F JaKobe Coles (10.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg)

Top returnee: C Ernest Udeh Jr. (4.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg)

Impact additions: G Frankie Collins (13.6 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 3.1 apg at ASU), G Vasean Allette (17.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 3.1 apg at Old Dominion), G Noah Reynolds (20.0 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 4.4 apg at Green Bay), G Brendan Wenzel (11.6 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 37.7% 3FG at Wyoming), F Trazarian White (19.8 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 39.0% 3FG at UNC Wilmington), F Micah Robinson (four-star freshman), F David Punch (three-star freshman)

Outlook: Even by today’s standards of roster fluidity, TCU is an outlier. The Horned Frogs lost nine players and 95% of their scoring, forcing Dixon to go out and bring in six transfers and four freshmen. That’s not a recipe for success. But the experience and leadership ability of former ASU playmaker Collins could help.

He said it: “Like our group, like our teams. Good kids who came together over the summer. I was working out and some guy came to me and asked “how do you guys deal with this?’ I just think it’s a great opportunity. I compare it to being a junior college coach (in Southern California). … You adapt and you reembrace it and that’s what we’ve done.” — Dixon, at TCU preseason media availability

11. UCF KNIGHTS

Game with UA: Jan. 11 at McKale Center

School location: Orlando, Florida

Series history: Arizona has never played UCF, which became a Division I program in 1985.

Coach: Johnny Dawkins (143-103 in eight seasons at UCF, 304-218 in 16 seasons overall)

Last season: 17-16 overall, 7-11 Big 12 (tie/11th), NIT first round, KenPom rating 66

Big losses: F CJ Walker (7.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg), F Marchelus Avery (7.6 ppg, 4.0 rpg)

Top returnees: G Jaylen Sellers (15.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg), G Darius Johnson (15.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.7 apg, 39.4% 3FG)

Impact additions: G Jordan Ivy-Curry (17.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 3.0 apg, 38.7% 3FG at UTSA), F Deebo Coleman (5.9 ppg, 2.4 rpg at Memphis), F Keyshawn Hall (16.6 ppg, 8.1 rpg), C Moustapha Thiam (four-star freshman), G Dior Johnson (juco transfer), F Benny Williams (5.4 ppg, 3.4 rpg at Syracuse)

Outlook: Despite the extra travel and better competition in its first year as a Big 12 member, UCF mostly held its own after joining the league last season. The Knights beat Kansas and Texas Tech at home while also pulling out a road win at Texas. The Longhorns lhave eft the conference, but Arizona came in and the Big 12 may be tougher than ever. Dawkins, the former Duke standout player and Stanford coach, will mostly use transfers to build around Sellers and Johnson to stay afloat.

He said it: “It has definitely been challenging. You have to adapt. The landscape is changing so fast in every area.” — Dawkins, to Blue Ribbon Yearbook

12. ASU SUN DEVILS

Game with UA: Feb. 1 at Desert Financial Arena, Tempe; March 4 at McKale Center

School location: Tempe

Series history: Arizona leads its instate rival 161-86 and has won three straight since Desmond Cambridge hit a halfcourt buzzer-beater to beat the Wildcats 89-88 on Feb. 25, 2023 at McKale Center. The Wildcats beat ASU 78-69 in the 2023 Pac-12 Tournament and swept the series last season, winning 105-60 at McKale and 85-67 at Tempe.

Coach: Bobby Hurley (155-131 in nine seasons at ASU, 197-151 in 11 seasons overall)

Last season: 14-18 overall, 8-12 Pac-12 (tie/9th), KenPom rating 127

Big losses: G Frankie Collins (13.8 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 3.2 apg), G Jose Perez (13.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg), F Alonzo Gaffney (6.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg), F Bryant Selebangue (4.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg)

Top returnees: G Adam Miller (12.0 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.6 apg), C Shawn Phillips (5.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg)

Impact additions: F Jayden Quaintance (five-star freshman), G Joson Sanon (four-star freshman), G Austin Nunez (0.7 ppg, 0.6 rpg at Ole Miss), F Basheer Jihad (18.6 ppg, 8.0 rpg at Ball State), F Brandon Gardner (injured at USC), F Amier Ali (four-star freshman), G Alston Mason (17.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg at Missouri State), F BJ Freeman (21.1 ppg, 6.6 rpg at Milwaukee)

Outlook: After a dismal end to last season, when the Sun Devils lost six of their last seven games, Hurley vowed to “encourage people who have the wherewithal to try to support what we’re doing.” Translation: He needed to raise NIL money. The plan appears to have worked, with Hurley pulling in five-star big man Quaintance and wrestling away Sonon, who had committed to UA. He also pulled in enough experienced veterans to piece together a unit that should at least be competitive in the middle of the Big 12.

He said it: “One through 10, I can put in the game and have complete confidence. I think the depth is there … Sometimes I looked down the bench and I wasn’t sure who I could really put in the game last year. So it’s having more options, knowing there’s not going to be a major dropoff if we all sacrifice and play together.” — Hurley, to Blue Ribbon Yearbook

13. WEST VIRGINIA MOUNTAINEERS

Game with UA: Jan. 7 at WVU Coliseum, Morgantown, West Virginia

School location: Morgantown, West Virginia

Series history: Arizona leads 3-2 but lost the last matchup, 75-65 in an NCAA Tournament first-round game in Washington, D.C., during the 2007-08 season. That was the season when coach Kevin O’Neill took over on an interim basis for Lute Olson, who retired permanently the next season.

Coach: Darian DeVries (first year at West Virginia; 150-55 in six seasons overall)

Last season: 9-23 overall, 4-14 Big 12 (tie/13th), NCAA Sweet 16, KenPom rating 144

Big losses: G Kerr Kriisa (11.0 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 4.7 apg, 42.4% 3FG), G RaeQuan Battle (16.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg), C Jesse Edwards (15.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg), F Quinn Slazinski (12.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg)

Top returnee: F Ofri Naveh (2.6 ppg, 2.5 rpg)

Impact additions: G Javon Small (15.1 ppg, 4.1 apg, 37.3% 3FG at Oklahoma State), F Tucker DeVries (21.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 3.7 apg at Drake), G Jayden Stone (20.8 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2.7 apg at Detroit Mercy), G Joseph Yesufu (6.2 ppg, 2.0 rpg at Washington State), G Jonathan Powell (three-star freshman), G Sencire Harris (redshirted at Illinois), F Toby Okani (11.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg at Illinois-Chicago), C Eduardo Andre (7.3 ppg, 5.0 rpg at Fresno State), F Amani Hansberry (2.4 ppg, 2.1 rpg at Illinois)

Outlook: West Virginia limped through after the tumultuous exit of coach Bob Huggins before last season, and the real rebuild begins now. Darian DeVries left Drake to take a chance on reviving the Mountaineers and brought along his son, Tucker, to help. There may be hope in the long run, considering West Virginia’s history and support, but there’s too little continuity and too little overall talent to expect anything much this season.

He said it: “(Taking over a program) presents its challenges either way. It’s show up and work. The situation every year is gonna be a little bit different. You might have a lot of guys returning. That doesn’t mean it’s less work either. Sometimes there’s a lot of things that go with that.” — Darian DeVries, during WVU’s preseason media availability

14. OKLAHOMA STATE COWBOYS

Game with UA: Jan. 12 at Gallagher-Iba Arena, Stillwater, Okla.

School location: Stillwater, Okla.

Series history: Arizona has won all three games it has played against Oklahoma State, the last a 79-78 win in the 2005 Sweet 16 at Rosemont, Ill., when Salim Stoudamire hit a game-winning jumper in the final seconds. UA also won in 1993-94 at Phoenix and 73-63 at the Great Alaska Shootout in 1994-95.

Coach: Steve Lutz (first year at Oklahoma State, 69-35 in three seasons overall)

Last season: 12-20 overall, 4-14 Big 12 (13th), KenPom rating 117

Big losses: G Javon Small (15.1 ppg, 4.1 apg), F Eric Dailey (9.3 ppg, 4.8 rpg), C Brandon Garrison (7.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg), G Quion Williams (7.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg)

Top returnees: G Bryce Thompson (11.6 ppg, 1.9 rpg), G Jamyron Keller (6.5 ppg, 2.0 rpg), G Connor Dow (1.9 ppg, 1.4 rpg)

Impact additions: F Marchelus Avery (7.6 ppg, 4.0 rpg at UCF), G Khalil Brantley (15.0 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 4.2 apg at LaSalle), G Arturo Dean (13.4 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 4.0 apg at Florida International), F Patrick Suemnick (4.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg at West Virginia), F Robert Jennings II (4.4 ppg, 3.3 rpg at Texas Tech), F Abou Ousmane (6.7 ppg, 6.4 rpg at Xavier), C Andrija Vukovich (Serbian freshman), G Brandon Newman (10.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg at Western Kentucky), G Devo Davis (5.9 ppg, 3.4 rpg at Arkansas)

Outlook: Lutz left Western Kentucky after just one season to inherit a massive rebuilding job, diving deep into the portal to replace eight departed players and, the Cowboys hope, upgrade the talent. He inherited three players, with Thompson coming off a shoulder injury, while getting Avery from the NBA Draft pool and other pieces from all over. It’s a clean slate to work with, if nothing else.

He said it: “It’s almost like you’re trying to build it quickly. You’re trying to fill in all the positions. You need two or three point guards. You need two or three bigs. But you’re also wanting to make sure you have good enough talent in the Big 12. ... You have to have a balance of talent and character and skill and toughness.” — Lutz, to Blue Ribbon Yearbook

15. COLORADO BUFFALOES

Game with UA: Jan. 25 at McKale Center

School location: Boulder, Colorado

Series history: Arizona leads 26-16 and has beaten the Buffs in their past four matchups, including a 97-50 win at McKale Center and a 99-79 win at the CU Events Center last season.

Coach: Tad Boyle (298-183 in 14 seasons at Colorado, 350-225 in 17 seasons overall)

Last season: 26-11 overall, 13-7 Big 12 (3rd), NCAA Sweet 16, KenPom rating 24

Big losses: F Tristan da Silva (16.0 ppg, 5.1 rpg), G KJ Simpson (19.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg), F Cody Williams (11.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg), C Eddie Lampkin (10.6 ppg, 7.0 rpg), G J’Vonne Hadley (11.6 ppg, 6.0 rpg), F Luke O’Brien (6.7 ppg, 3.8 rpg)

Top returnees: G Julian Hammond (7.4 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 1.8 apg), G Javon Ruffin (2.1 ppg, 1.6 rpg), G RJ Smith (2.9 ppg, 1.1 rpg)

Impact additions: F Andrej Jakimovski (9.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg), F Trevor Baskin (Division II transfer), C Elijah Malone (NAIA transfer), G Andrew Crawford (four-star freshman)

Outlook: Um, maybe this isn’t the best time for Colorado to make the transition back to the Big 12, where it played before joining the Pac-12 in 2011. Normally a team that thrives off continuity, the Buffs lost all of their starters, including three NBA draft picks in Simpson, da Silva and Williams. That left Boyle turning over some rocks in the offseason, but he may have discovered some promise in the late-blooming Baskin and Malone.

He said it: “I’m excited about it but I wish we could come into the Big 12 with last year’s team. I think this year’s team has a lot of upside, a very, very high ceiling. We’ve got a lot of unproven players but very talented players.” — Boyle, to Blue Ribbon Yearbook

16. UTAH UTES

Game with UA: Feb. 26 at McKale Center

School location: Salt Lake City

Series history: Arizona leads 40-32 against its former Border Conference, Pac-12 and now Big 12 counterpart, winning five of the past six games and both games last season. But the Utes took UA into triple overtime at the Huntsman Center last season before the Wildcats pulled out a 105-99 win.

Coach: Craig Smith (50-50 in three seasons at Utah, 203-129 in 10 seasons overall)

Last season: 22-15 overall, 9-11 Pac-12 (6th), NIT semifinals, KenPom rating 48

Big losses: C Branden Carlson (17.9 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 37.9% 3FG), G Deivon Smith (13.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg), G Rollie Worster (9.9 ppg, 4.9 rpg), F Cole Bajema (9.0 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 39.5% 3FG), C Keba Keita (8.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg)

Top returnees: G Gabe Madsen (13.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.5 apg, 38.6% 3FG), C Lawson Lovering (6.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg), G Hunter Erickson (4.7 ppg, 1.3 rpg)

Impact additions: G Mason Madsen (8.1 ppg, 3.5 rpg at Boston College), G Miro Little (1.7 ppg, 1.2 rpg, 0.7 apg at Baylor), F Mike Sharavjamts (7.7 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 2.7 apg at San Francisco), F Ezra Ausar (11.4 ppg, 4.7 rpg at East Carolina), F Keanu Dawes (6.6 ppg, 3.3 rpg at Rice), C Ibrahima Traore (three-star freshman)

Outlook: Guess who was the last Pac-12 team standing before the conference blew up last spring, and the one that also lasted longer than any Big 12 team? That was Utah, which made it all the way to Indianapolis for an NIT semifinal loss to home-state favorite Indiana State. But of course, that doesn’t mean a thing for this season, especially after the Utes lost stretch-five center Carlson and several other valuable pieces.

He said it: “We’ve got to maximize the talent that we have and we’ll see what happens. I’m super excited about being a part of the Big 12… If you have true competitors in your program, it brings out the best in who you are, what you stand for and what you’re about.” — Smith, to Blue Ribbon Yearbook