Arizona men’s basketball is making history, as it currently holds the No. 1 ranking in the Associated Press poll for an impressive ninth consecutive week. This marks a record for the school, surpassing the previous streak of eight weeks set during the 2013-14 season. The Wildcats received all first-place votes, keeping them ahead of Michigan, which is ranked second, as well as Houston, Duke, and Iowa State, who round out the top five.
The Wildcats will face a tough schedule ahead, with their ranking set to be tested in upcoming games against highly ranked opponents. Their next challenge is a match against No. 9 Kansas, followed by encounters with several other ranked teams. The slate of games includes a home matchup against No. 16 Texas Tech, a game against No. 22 BYU, and away games at No. 3 Houston and No. 5 Iowa State, highlighting a late-regular season gauntlet.
Coach Tommy Lloyd emphasized the significance of competing against powerful Big 12 teams, acknowledging the conference’s strength and the value it creates for member schools. “The Big 12 is a powerhouse basketball conference… and one of the ways you create value is you have important games in great viewing windows,” he remarked.
As they prepare for their game against Kansas, Arizona is favored to win by 1.5 points. Even if they were to stumble against the Jayhawks, they remain in a strong position for the No. 1 ranking, given that all teams behind them have at least one loss. The game is scheduled to tip-off at 7 p.m. MST and will be broadcast on ESPN. This upcoming stretch presents a critical moment for the Wildcats, who are poised to make a strong impression as the NCAA tournament approaches.