Even amidst the buzz of the college basketball landscape, one Arizona Guard remains surprisingly overlooked. The Arizona Wildcats concluded the previous season with a respectable 24-13 record, culminating in an exit during the Sweet Sixteen against the esteemed Duke Blue Devils. Tommy Lloyd, now in his fourth year coaching in Tucson, had the privilege of guiding a seasoned team brimming with talent. However, this coming season sees significant roster changes as many key players from that remarkable squad have moved on.
Notably, Caleb Love has graduated, and Carter Bryant was picked 14th overall by the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Draft. Furthermore, valuable contributors like KJ Lewis and Henri Veesaar have transferred to Georgetown and North Carolina, respectively, making it clear that Lloyd's fifth year is going to be quite different.
Now, the spotlight shifts to a pair of promising freshmen: Koa Peat, a forward, and Brayden Burries, a guard. As Lloyd strives to improve upon his impressive 112-33 record in Tucson, the development of these newcomers will be crucial.
With Love no longer in the mix, the primary guard duties now fall to Jaden Bradley, who demonstrated his defensive prowess throughout the last season. The senior guard posted an average of 12.1 points per game and contributed 1.8 steals across 37 games, all of which he started.
It’s worth noting that Bradley, despite his impressive performance, was shockingly left off the Big 12's preseason all-conference team, even though it featured ten players, none of whom hailed from Arizona. This exclusion has raised eyebrows and ignited conversations among fans and analysts alike.
Bradley’s defensive mindset will be invaluable for Arizona, and as the most experienced guard alongside Harvard transfer Evan Nelson, he will also be counted on heavily in offensive situations. Last season, he shot 46.7% from the field and connected on 32.1% of his three-point attempts. With Love’s departure, which accounted for 17.2 points per game and numerous pivotal moments, the Wildcats will look to Bradley to help fill that production gap.
It’s indeed surprising that Bradley was overlooked by the Big 12 preseason recognition, given his anticipated increased role this season. After transferring from Alabama, he has shown growth in each season of his career. His second season as a starter for the Wildcats is expected to further this trend, creating a heightened sense of anticipation for what’s to come.
According to the preseason poll, Arizona is projected to finish fourth in the Big 12, positioning them behind Houston, Texas Tech, and BYU, although they did receive one first-place vote. The Wildcats are also making their mark early in the season, landing at No. 13 in the initial AP Poll and are projected to be a 4-seed in the East bracket of the NCAA Tournament come March, as per ESPN’s Joe Lunardi.
This upcoming season will see a substantial portion of Arizona's offense funneled through Bradley, with expectations that Peat and Burries will step into starting roles. Moreover, Tobe Awaka and Motiejus Krivas are expected to play essential roles in the front court, adding depth to the team.
Arizona's season opener will take place in Las Vegas against the defending national champion Florida Gators, setting the stage for a challenging start and an early test for Bradley and the team.
So, what are your thoughts regarding Bradley and the Wildcats being overlooked for the All-Big 12 team in the preseason? Do you agree with the rankings, or do you think the Wildcats have more to prove? Join the conversation by sharing your opinions in the comments and connect with us on our X account for further discussions.
