Arizona still ranks among college basketball’s elite despite RJ Godfrey uncertainty

Tommy Lloyd and the Arizona Wildcats broke through in 2026, making the Final Four for the first time since 2001 and cementing this program as the team to beat in the Big 12.

Heading into 2026-27, even with the departures of Big 12 Player of the Year Jaden Bradley and one-and-done freshmen Koa Peat and Brayden Burries, Arizona is once again projected atop the mountain in college hoops.

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Evan Miyakawa of EvanMiya.com released his preseason rankings on Wednesday, and the Wildcats came in at No. 4 overall, just behind Florida, Duke, and Illinois and one spot ahead of Gonzaga, Lloyd’s old stomping grounds.

Evan’s site also added adjusted rankings for every team if the players currently in eligibility limbo – in Arizona’s case, RJ Godfrey – end up ineligible, and it only moved the Wildcats down one spot to No. 5.

Elite returning talent

Feb 7, 2026; Lawrence, Kansas, USA; Arizona Wildcats center Motiejus Krivas (13) | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Arizona may have lost three starters from last year’s Final Four squad, but the two they retained are among the best players in the conference – and potentially the country.

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Center Mo Krivas and forward Ivan Kharchenkov are both likely preseason All-Big 12 picks, and Krivas is getting buzz as one of the best players in the entire college hoops landscape – coming in as the No. 13 player in the sport according to EvanMiya.

The Lithuanian senior averaged 10.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks last year as a junior, shooting 58.4% on twos and 78% from the free throw line.

Meanwhile Kharchenkov is a popular breakout candidate after also averaging 10.4 points last year, along with 4.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.4 steals. The 6’7 German is a versatile defender and efficient scorer at the rim, and if his outside shot continues to develop he could easily finish on the Big 12 First Team in his second collegiate season.

More freshman phenoms

Mar 31, 2026; Glendale, AZ, USA; Caleb Holt (3) during the McDonalds All American Boys Game |…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/arizona-still-ranks-among-college-200651070.html

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Publish date : 2026-09-16 20:06:00

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