Matt Norlander of CBS Sports has Arizona eighth in his "College basketball rankings: Houston, Purdue, Kentucky, Duke and more headline 2025-26 Top 100 And 1 teams." Norlander referenced the returning corps and two elite freshmen as the reason for optimism for Arizona.
Arizona returns starters, forward Tobe Awaka, guard Jaden Bradley and wing Anthony Dell'Orso and center Motiejus Krivas is back after missing all but eight games in 2024-25 following season-ending surgery after eight games.
Norlander also mentioned the losses of Caleb Love, Carter Bryant and Trey Townsend, who concluded their collegiate careers and the transfers of K.