Arizona Wildcats picked to repeat as Big 12 champions

The Arizona Wildcats have been selected as the preseason favorites to repeat as Big 12 champions according to the league’s coaches poll. Arizona secured 12 of the 16 first-place votes, totaling 220 points, narrowly edging out Houston, which received four first-place votes and 214 points.

Individual honors were also distributed, with Motiejus Krivas named the Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year. Both Krivas and Ivan Kharchenkov were named to the preseason all-conference team. Krivas enters his fourth season following a campaign where he helped the Wildcats reach the Final Four.

Despite losing key players such as Jaden Bradley, Koa Peat, and Brayden Burries, the roster has been bolstered by new additions including five-star guard Caleb Holt, Cameron Holmes, and transfers Derek Dixon and JJ Mandaquit. The top five in the preseason poll includes Kansas, Iowa State, and Texas Tech.