TUCSON — The Arizona Wildcats are the media’s pick to win the Big 12 men’s basketball title again, while Arizona State is projected to finish 12th, Arizona Sports reported.
The placements match the conference coaches’ poll released two weeks earlier.
Arizona lost three starters, Koa Peat, Jaden Bradley and Brayden Burries, plus sixth man Tobe Awaka to the NBA. The Wildcats still return star big man Motiejus Krivas, who was named Preseason Player of the Year, along with forward Ivan Kharchenkov and freshman guard Caleb Holt, a potential top-three NBA draft pick.
ASU, under new head coach Randy Bennett, has forward Paulius Murauskas, voted Preseason Newcomer of the Year. The Sun Devils have not made the NCAA Tournament since the 2022-23 season.
The season tips off Monday, Nov. 2, with Arizona facing UCLA in Las Vegas and ASU hosting East Tennessee State.
Sources: Arizona Sports. Thee Arizona Times uses AI-assisted reporting reviewed against the sources listed.
Photo: Msr69er / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons.
