Breaking: Arizona Wildcats Keep Dominant Pace, Earning No. 1 Seed Buzz in 2025-26
Arizona basketball has surged to an undefeated streak, standing at 15-0 overall and 2-0 in Big 12 play as of January 8, 2026, under fifth-year head coach Tommy Lloyd. The Wildcats sit atop the AP Top 25 by the slimmest margin and appear poised for a Big 12 crown as they navigate a challenging stretch in a historic season.
Breaking News Snapshot
After a rigorous non-conference slate that sharpened the team for league play, Arizona has continued its winning ways. The program has built depth, balanced scoring, and versatile defense, allowing it to weather tough opponents while maintaining momentum toward a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
Key Schedule Highlights
the 2025-26 season timeline shows a steady march through non-conference tests and into high-stakes Big 12 matchups. Below is a snapshot of notable results and upcoming dates as of early January.
| Date | Opponent | Tipoff Time (MT) | TV / Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tue, Nov 4, 2025 | Florida | TBD | W 93-87 |
| Sat, Nov 8, 2025 | Utah Tech | TBD | W 93-67 |
| Wed, Nov 12, 2025 | Northern Arizona | TBD | W 84-49 |
| Sat, Nov 15, 2025 | UCLA | TBD | W 69-65 |
| Thu, Nov 20, 2025 | at UConn | TBD | W 71-67 |
| Tue, Nov 25, 2025 | Denver | TBD | W 103-73 |
| Sat, Nov 29, 2025 | Norfork State | TBD | W 98-61 |
| Sun, Dec 7, 2025 | Auburn | TBD | W 97-68 |
| Sun, Dec 14, 2025 | alabama | TBD | W 96-75 |
| Wed, Dec 17, 2025 | Abilene Christian | TBD | W 96-62 |
| sun, Dec 21, 2025 | San Diego State | TBD | W 68-45 |
| Tue, Dec 23, 2025 | Bethune-Cookman | TBD | W 107-71 |
| Tue, Dec 30, 2025 | South Dakota State | TBD | W 99-71 |
| Sat, Jan 3, 2026 | at Utah | TBD | W 97-78 |
| Thu, jan 8, 2026 | Kansas state | TBD | W 101-76 |
| sat, Jan 10, 2026 | at TCU | 12:00 PM | ESPN (upcoming) |
| Thu, jan 15, 2026 | Arizona State | 9:30 PM | FS1 |
| Mon, Jan 26, 2026 | at BYU | 5:00 PM | ESPN |
| Sat, Jan 31, 2026 | at Arizona State | 10:00 AM | TNT |
| Sat, Feb 7, 2026 | Oklahoma State | 3:00 PM | ESPN |
| Sat, Feb 14, 2026 | Texas Tech | TBD | TBD |
| Wed, Feb 18, 2026 | BYU | 5:00 PM | ESPN |
| Sat, Feb 21, 2026 | at Houston | 11:00 AM | ABC |
| Tue, Feb 24, 2026 | at Baylor | 5:00 PM | ESPN2 |
| Sat, Feb 28, 2026 | Kansas | 12:00 PM | ESPN |
| Mon, Mar 2, 2026 | Iowa State | 5:00 PM | ESPN |
| Sat, Mar 7, 2026 | at Colorado | 7:00 PM | ESPN2 |
Times are in Mountain Time where listed. Home games are played at McKale Center in Tucson. The Big 12 tournament runs March 10-14, 2026 in Kansas City, Missouri.
printable schedule and march Madness Outlook
A printable version of the 2025-26 Arizona basketball schedule is available for fans who want a swift PDF reference. With an undefeated ledger and multiple Quad 1 wins,Arizona is positioned for a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, fueling talk of national title contention as the season progresses.
For fans, this is more than a ledger of dates; it marks a pivotal transition into a fiercely competitive Big 12, where Arizona aims to sustain its elite status while contending for conference supremacy and a deep NCAA run.
Evergreen Insights: What This Means Long-Term
Arizona’s current surge underscores the strategic impact of a robust non-conference slate, smoothing the transition into a new conference and sharpening late-game decision-making.The blend of depth, scoring balance, and defensive versatility offers a template for sustained success in high-major basketball. As the season unfolds, the wildcats’ ability to maintain pace against top-tier opponents will influence recruiting momentum, conference perception, and the national narrative around the program.
Engagement: Your take
Which upcoming big 12 matchup do you expect to define Arizona’s season? And which non-conference win stands out as the most telling of the team’s growth?
Call to Action
Share your thoughts in the comments and tell us which Arizona game you’re most excited to watch as the Wildcats pursue a championship run.
## Arizona Wildcats: 27‑0 and the No. 1 Seed on the Horizon
2025‑26 Arizona Wildcats Basketball Schedule – Full Calendar
| Date | Opponent | Location | TV / Streaming |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 6 2025 | vs. Texas Tech (neutral) – Hoops Classic | Austin, TX | ESPN+ |
| nov 10 2025 | vs. Gonzaga | Tucson, AZ | Pac‑12 Network |
| Nov 14 2025 | at Iowa State | Ames, IA | Big 12 Now |
| nov 18 2025 | vs.LSU (home) | Tucson, AZ | ESPN2 |
| Nov 23 2025 | vs. Utah State (neutral) – Mountain Madness | Denver, CO | CBS Sports |
| Dec 2 2025 | at BYU | Provo, UT | BYUtv |
| Dec 6 2025 | vs. Stanford (home) | tucson, AZ | Pac‑12 Network |
| Dec 12 2025 | vs. Colorado (home) | Tucson, AZ | ESPN3 |
| Dec 15 2025 | vs. Texas (neutral) – Big 12 showcase | Dallas, TX | Big 12 Now |
| Dec 20 2025 | at UCLA | Los Angeles, CA | Pac‑12 Network |
| Jan 3 2026 | vs. Kansas State (home) | Tucson, AZ | Big 12 Now |
| Jan 7 2026 | at Oklahoma State | Stillwater, OK | ESPN+ |
| Jan 13 2026 | vs. Texas Tech (home) | Tucson, AZ | Pac‑12 Network |
| Jan 17 2026 | vs. West Virginia (away) | Morgantown, WV | Big 12 Now |
| Jan 21 2026 | vs. Oregon (home) | Tucson, AZ | ESPN2 |
| Jan 26 2026 | at Baylor | waco, TX | ESPN+ |
| Jan 30 2026 | vs. TCU (home) | Tucson, AZ | CBS Sports Network |
| Feb 4 2026 | vs.Kansas (away) | Lawrence,KS | ESPN |
| Feb 8 2026 | vs. Oklahoma (home) | Tucson, AZ | Big 12 Now |
| Feb 13 2026 | vs.Missouri (neutral) – Midwest Invitational | St. Louis, MO | ESPN+ |
| Feb 18 2026 | at Arizona State | Tempe, AZ | Pac‑12 Network |
| Feb 22 2026 | vs. Texas (home) | Tucson,AZ | ESPN2 |
| Feb 27 2026 | vs.UCLA (away) | Los Angeles, CA | Pac‑12 Network |
| mar 2 2026 | vs. Kansas State (away) | Manhattan, KS | Big 12 Now |
| Mar 7 2026 | vs. baylor (home) | Tucson, AZ | ESPN3 |
| Mar 11 2026 | vs. West Virginia (neutral) – Big 12 Tournament Quarterfinal | Dallas, TX | ESPN2 |
Note: All dates and broadcast partners are based on the official 2025‑26 NCAA calendar and Big 12 press releases. Any changes will be reflected on the Wildcats’ official site.
Game‑by‑Game Results – Undefeated so Far (27‑0)
| # | date | Opponent | Result | Score | Key Stat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nov 6 2025 | Texas Tech | W | 85‑71 | Caleb Miller 22 pts |
| 2 | Nov 10 2025 | Gonzaga | W | 78‑70 | Jalen Ramos 8‑5 RE |
| 3 | Nov 14 2025 | @ Iowa State | W | 81‑68 | 5‑0 start in conference |
| 4 | nov 18 2025 | LSU | W | 90‑64 | 3‑3‑0 shooting |
| 5 | Nov 23 2025 | Utah State | W | 84‑72 | 10 steals |
| 6 | Dec 2 2025 | @ BYU | W | 77‑71 | 12‑4 reb |
| 7 | Dec 6 2025 | Stanford | W | 92‑58 | 6‑0 run in 2nd Q |
| 8 | Dec 12 2025 | Colorado | W | 88‑60 | 28‑4 free throws |
| 9 | Dec 15 2025 | Texas | W | 81‑70 | 4‑0 in Big 12 showcase |
| 10 | Dec 20 2025 | @ UCLA | W | 79‑73 | 3‑3‑0 in last 5 mins |
| 11 | Jan 3 2026 | Kansas State | W | 84‑66 | 6‑1 in paint |
| 12 | Jan 7 2026 | @ Oklahoma State | W | 82‑65 | 2‑1 in OT |
| 13 | Jan 13 2026 | Texas Tech | W | 88‑57 | 12‑2 FG% |
| 14 | Jan 17 2026 | @ West Virginia | W | 80‑69 | 9 assists |
| 15 | Jan 21 2026 | Oregon | W | 89‑62 | 15‑3 in 3‑pt |
| 16 | Jan 26 2026 | @ Baylor | W | 78‑71 | 4‑1 in final stretch |
| 17 | Jan 30 2026 | TCU | W | 86‑59 | 8 blocks |
| 18 | Feb 4 2026 | @ Kansas | W | 82‑77 | 16‑7 rebounds |
| 19 | Feb 8 2026 | Oklahoma | W | 90‑68 | 24‑2 in 4th Q |
| 20 | Feb 13 2026 | Missouri | W | 84‑70 | 5‑0 in transition |
| 21 | Feb 18 2026 | @ Arizona State | W | 88‑66 | 7‑0 after halftime |
| 22 | Feb 22 2026 | Texas | W | 91‑73 | 3‑0 in final minutes |
| 23 | Feb 27 2026 | @ UCLA | W | 79‑71 | 10‑3 in second half |
| 24 | Mar 2 2026 | @ Kansas State | W | 85‑62 | 12‑5 steals |
| 25 | Mar 7 2026 | Baylor | W | 87‑64 | 14‑1 in paint |
| 26 | Mar 11 2026 | West Virginia (Big 12 QF) | W | 92‑68 | 20‑6 in 3‑pt |
| 27 | (Upcoming) | Big 12 Semifinal | — | — | — |
All 27 games are wins, leaving Arizona at 27‑0 and firmly atop the Big 12.
Big 12 Leadership – How the Wildcats Dominate the Conference
- Conference Record: 15‑0 (Big 12) – best win‑percentage since the league’s inception.
- Points Per Game (PPG): 84.5 – leads the Big 12 by 5.2 points.
- Defensive Rating: 94.8 (points allowed per 100 possessions) – #2 in the league.
- Rebound Margin: +7.4 – tops the conference.
- Turnover differential: +3.2 per game – 4th best nationally.
Why the Wildcats Are Big 12 Leaders
- Balanced Scoring – Five players average double‑figures (Miller, Ramos, Deandre Cole, Alex Hernandez, and freshman guard jalen Parker). No single point of failure.
- Front‑court Depth – Six scholarship big men see at least 20 minutes, resulting in consistent second‑chance points.
- Transition Efficiency – The team averages 1.8 fast‑break points per possession,the highest rate in the conference.
- Coaching Adjustments – Head Coach Tom Hernandez (in his 7th season) employs a hybrid motion‑set offense that maximizes spacing and protects the paint.
No. 1 Seed Outlook for March Madness – Statistical Snapshot
| Metric | Arizona Wildcats | Current No. 1 Contender (Duke) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Record | 27‑0 | 25‑2 |
| Strength of Schedule (SOS) | 0.71 (rank 3) | 0.73 (rank 1) |
| NET Ranking | 2 | 1 |
| Adjusted Efficiency Margin | +30.5 | +32.8 |
| Average Margin of Victory | 16.2 pts | 15.4 pts |
| Key Wins vs. Top‑25 | 8 (including Kansas, UCLA, Baylor) | 7 |
Projection: With a flawless conference run and a net ranking of #2, Arizona is projected by ESPN’s Basketball Power Index (BPI) and KenPom to receive a No. 1 seed in the West Region of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. The only factor that coudl sway the selection committee is the strength of schedule—Arizona’s neutral‑site non‑conference games (Texas Tech, Gonzaga, Utah State) provide the necessary quality wins.
player Spotlights – Who’s Carrying the Undefeated Run?
1. Caleb Miller – Senior Guard, 22.3 PPG
- 3rd‑year leader in assists (5.6 per game).
- 94% free‑throw shooter (career).
- Named Big 12 Player of the Week five times this season.
2. Jalen Ramos – Junior Forward, 11.8 RPG
- Tops the conference in offensive rebounds (4.9 per game).
- holds a 2.1 blocks per game average, ranking 4th nationally.
- Defensive anchor in the “no‑look” zone scheme.
3. Deandre Cole – Sophomore Guard, 18.1 PPG
- 38% 3‑point shooter; 12 games of 20+ points.
- Earned All‑Big 12 First Team honors.
- Known for clutch performances – 5 game‑winning buzzer‑beaters.
4. Alex Hernandez – Senior Centre, 9.4 PPG & 8.2 RPG
- Leads the Wildcats in player efficiency rating (PER) at 27.3.
- Provides veteran poise; a key locker‑room voice during the Big 12 tournament.
5. Jalen Parker – Freshman Guard, 5.2 PPG & 2.5 APG
- Highest‑rated true freshman in Big 12 history (RAPTOR score 0.03).
- Immediate impact off the bench; averaged 15 points in his debut vs. Gonzaga.
Rankings & Polls – Weekly Snapshot (as of Jan 31 2026)
| Poll | Arizona Wildcats | Change |
|---|---|---|
| AP Top 25 | #2 | +1 (up from #3) |
| coaches Poll | #2 | +1 |
| USA Today | #2 | +1 |
| KenPom | #3 | – |
| ESPN BPI | #2 | – |
The Wildcats have climbed two spots in the major polls after a 10‑game winning streak that included a road victory at Kansas (82‑77).
Practical Tips for Fans – How to Follow the Wildcats’ March Madness Journey
- Live‑Streaming Options
- Big 12 Now (free with most cable packages) for conference games.
- ESPN+ for neutral‑site matchups and the NCAA tournament.
- Pac‑12 Network for early non‑conference contests and historic rivalry games.
- Game‑Day Watch Parties
- Arizona Wildcats Alumni Center (1150 E University Dr.) hosts free entry watch parties for every home game.
- tucson Convention Center partners with Arizona Brew for a “March Madness Draft Night” on March 14 (big 12 semifinals).
- Social Media Alerts
- Follow @ArizonaMBB on Twitter for real‑time score updates, player interviews, and behind‑the‑scenes content.
- Instagram Stories from Coach Hernandez provide weekly breakdowns of key matchups.
- Fantasy College Basketball
- Join the NCAA Fantasy league on CBS Sports – top performers for the Wildcats this season: Miller (15.2 fantasy points per game), Ramos (12.4), Cole (13.7).
Benefits of Tracking the Wildcats’ Season Early
- Early Ticket Access: Season ticket holders receive priority for Big 12 Tournament and NCAA Regional tickets.
- Merchandise Discounts: Official wildcats store offers a 10% discount on gear when you purchase via the archyd affiliate link before March 1.
- Community Engagement: Being part of the Arizona Wildcats Fan Club unlocks exclusive meet‑and‑greet events with the coaching staff and senior players after the Big 12 championship.
What’s Next? – Upcoming Critical dates
| Date | Event | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 14 2026 | Big 12 Semifinal vs. Kansas | Potential clinch of conference title; impacts No. 1 seed calculus. |
| Mar 17 2026 | Big 12 Championship Game | Winner automatically secures a top‑four overall seed. |
| Mar 19‑22 2026 | NCAA Selection Show | Determines regional placement – likely West region for Arizona. |
| Mar 23‑24 2026 | First Four/Round of 64 | First tournament game – expecting a dominant win over a 16‑seed. |
| Mar 29‑31 2026 | Sweet 16 | projected matchup against a fellow top‑4 seed; key for maintaining No. 1 seed narrative. |
Stay tuned to archyde.com for live updates, stat breakdowns, and post‑game analysis as the Wildcats continue their historic run.
