Arizona Wildcats Dominating Early Season in College Basketball

The Arizona Wildcats currently hold the top resume in college basketball, leaving their closest competitors far behind.

Following a 71-67 victory over No. 3 UW, Arizona has made history. They are now the third team since the Associated Press era to win multiple games against top-three ranked opponents within the first five matches of the season, a feat not accomplished since 1989.

Freshman Koa Pete led the Wildcats to a remarkable start, defeating the reigning national champion—Florida, ranked No. 3—during the Las Vegas Hall of Fame Series.

Sandwiched between those significant victories was a 69-65 win over their archrival, No. 15 UCLA. Additionally, they secured wins against Utah Tech and Northern Arizona in a couple of buy games.

While it seems unlikely, Arizona could be named the No. 1 team in the nation when the Associated Press Top 25 poll is updated on Monday. Their impressive early performance supports this possibility.

Yet, there’s something a bit off about watching Arizona play. It feels, well, almost unusual.

In a time when a three-point shooting revolution is taking place across all levels of basketball, the Wildcats focus most of their scoring inside the arc.

This isn’t an exaggeration. After nearly three weeks of games, Arizona ranks 360th out of 365 teams in Division I for three-point shooting percentage. In their win against Florida, they managed just two points from beyond the arc, which isn’t the best indicator of success.

Their inside scoring was clear against UW, as they made 45 percent of their shots near the basket and an eye-watering 30 percent from midrange—definitely a topic of concern for those who analyze basketball. In contrast, UConn’s strategy involved only 21 percent of shots from the rim, opting instead for 52 percent from three-point territory.

Against Florida, things felt even stranger. The Wildcats attempted only five three-pointers, making two.

Post-game, Lloyd mentioned that hitting just five threes wasn’t necessarily planned, yet he didn’t seem upset about it. “If you shoot five threes but attempt 38 free throws… well, I don’t know,” he mused, reflecting on the impact it has on opposing defenses. “Those fouls add up and can wear down the bench, forcing players to be more cautious.”

Interestingly, when the Wildcats do shoot from three, they often do quite well. Their current conversion rate stands at 37.3 percent, placing them 73rd nationally. Key players such as Jaden Bradley, Dwayne Aristoud, and Anthony Delorso all boast shooting percentages above 40. Aristoud, in particular, shone in a recent game against Northern Arizona, hitting 6 out of 9 shots.

Lloyd’s approach defies modern basketball norms, as he doesn’t just ignore the three-point line. In the victory over UCLA, his strategy further contrasted with current trends. Alongside Pete, the skilled freshman, he put two centers—Motiejus Krivas and Tobe Awaka—on the court together, effectively disrupting the Bruins’ game plan.

To summarize, the Wildcats’ early-season achievements consist of:

• A heavy reliance on first-year players, with one standout becoming the team’s face.
• Aiming for fewer three-point attempts than nearly all other Division I teams.
• Utilizing a dual-center strategy that keeps both players on the floor for extended periods.

This approach goes against what most top 15 teams are doing.

The big question remains: will this unconventional style work when it matters most?

Arizona hasn’t reached the regional finals since 2015, and notably, they haven’t been to the Final Four since 2001. The fan base, known for its pride, is eager for a change—whether that comes from sinking 40 three-pointers or none at all.