As the NCAA Tournament comes to a close, GMS likes to review some of the power conference or power program teams that made it to the Big Dance and ask whether or not they’ve got a shot to return to the show next season. We kick things off with teams eliminated in the first round.
Recruit and Reload: Arizona Wildcats
Key Losses: Gabe York Sr., Ryan Anderson Sr., Kaleb Tarczewski Sr., Allonzo Trier Fr. (expected)
Key Returners: Kadeem Allen
Key Newcomers: Ray Smith (injury), Rawle Alkins, Kobi Simmons, Lauri Markkanen
Breakdown: Head coach Sean Miller is used to having a lot of turnover in the Wildcats’ program due to his prolific recruiting ability. Next season, though, signals more of a changing of the guard than regular turnover, as names like York and Tarczewski leave the program and a new era begins in Tucson.
Bringing in Alkins and Simmons is big for UA’s perimeter play, but nothing will be more important than getting Ray Smith back to form. Word out of UA was that Smith could have been Arizona’s best player this season if he was healthy. He’ll have a chance to shine next season, no doubt about it.
Markkanen, Dustin Rustic, and Chance Comanche will try to anchor down a UA frontline that will be plenty long, but not nearly as intimidating as years passed. The NCAA Tournament is the bare minimum of acceptable in Tucson, but guard play will be the key in determining how far UA can go next year.
