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It’ll be tough for Tommy Lloyd and the Arizona Wildcats to follow up on what was an outstanding 2025-26 season, resulting in the program’s first Final Four appearance in 25 years.
Only two key players from last year’s team – center Mo Krivas and forward Ivan Kharchenkov – are back in Tucson, while Lloyd went to work rebuilding this roster with a variety of transfers, freshmen, and international additions.
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After an up-and-down showing on a foreign tour in Lithuania earlier this summer, the Wildcats flashed a lot of upside on Saturday in the annual Red-Blue Showcase.
With the first exhibition game in two weeks, and the regular season opener barely a month away, Arizona still has a sky-high ceiling this upcoming season – and plenty of questions to answer before they get there:
1. Will RJ Godfrey be eligible to play?
Mar 19, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers forward RJ Godfrey (0) participates in a practice session ahead of the first round of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
RJ Godfrey is arguably the perfect fit to play power forward in Lloyd’s system, and securing a commitment from the former Clemson transfer so late in the offseason was a blessing…or a curse.
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Godfrey received eligibility through a lawsuit in Georgia, which was recently granted a stay request by the NCAA, meaning the fifth-year senior is currently ineligible while his case awaits an appeal hearing.
Godfrey is currently eligible to practice with Arizona – and he did play in the Red-Blue Showcase – but until he is eligible to compete in games, this Arizona team will have a cap on their ceiling. His rugged rebounding, efficient low-post scoring, and physicality give Arizona an elite defensive starting five and allow Kharchenkov to play his more natural small forward position.
2. Can Ivan Kharchenkov become Arizona’s go-to scorer?
Mar 13, 2026; Kansas City, MO, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Ivan Kharchenkov (8) reacts after a play during the second half against the…
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Publish date : 2026-09-29 01:07:00
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