When the AP preseason Top 25 poll was released last week, it became known (gulp) that Tommy Lloydβs Wildcats will play a murdererβs row of ranked opponents. How many?
If the AP poll is correct, Arizona menβs basketball will play 12 games against Top 25 foes in the regular season, from No. 2 Houston to No. 24 Auburn, and a home-and-home series with No. 8 BYU.
Arizona forward Tobe Awaka, left, and guard Jaden Bradley, right, battle for the ball with Houston forward JaβVier Francis during the first half of their game for the championship in the Big 12 Tournament, March 15, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo.
Thatβs not a UA record. In the 2001-02 season, Arizona played 14 Top 25 teams in the regular season. Lute Olsonβs schedule that year opened with these four games: No. 2 Maryland, No. 6 Florida, No. 23 Texas and No. 8 Kansas.
The β02 Wildcats went 8-6 in those games and reached the Sweet 16 before losing to No. 3 Oklahoma.
Something tells me it will be a disappointing season at McKale if the Wildcats donβt exceed those 2002 numbers.
