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Several Top 25 projections updated last week after the entry deadlines passed for the transfer portal and NBA Draft still had Arizona projected in the 7-11 range next season.

That’s largely because the Wildcats managed to retain their top two defenders, center Motiejus Krivas and forward Ivan Kharchenkov, while bringing a potential high 2027 NBA Draft lottery pick in shooting guard Caleb Holt.

In addition, the Wildcats also pulled in high-major transfer guards in Derek Dixon (North Carolina) and JJ Mandaquit (Washington), though they have holes in the frontcourt without two of those NBA Combine invitees, Koa Peat and Tobe Awaka.

Also likely helping UA's profile: That the Wildcats just came off a Final Four appearance and have reached the second weekend of the NCAA Tournament four times in UA coach Tommy Lloyd’s five seasons.

“The Wildcats have been consistently elite in the Tommy Lloyd era and should be again even with their top three scorers departing for the pro ranks,� wrote Sports Illustrated’s Kevin Sweeney last week, while ranking UA at No. 11. “Center Motiejus Krivas and forward Ivan Kharchenkov return as the backbone of what should be an elite defense in 2026-27, with Kharchenkov a potential breakout guy on the offensive end, as well after a strong freshman season."

Sweeney also noted that the battle at point guard between Dixon and Mandaquit “will be intriguing to monitor,� while Holt is likely to score at a high level next to the player who wins the job.

One possibility is that Dixon could start at point guard, then slide over to shooting guard if Holt is off the floor while Mandaquit plays the point. Dixon took over as the Tar Heels' starting point guard midseason, starting 16 of 33 games while averaging 6.5 points and 2.7 assists. He also shot 39.7% from 3-point range last season,

“Dixon was a terrific pickup for Tommy Lloyd’s program,� Hoops HQ’s Seth Davis wrote. “He showed much promise as a freshman in Chapel Hill and seems poised for a breakout season.�

ESPN’s Jeff Borzello also noted that the Wildcats were “well-equipped� on the perimeter if lacking depth inside.

“Arizona had a mix of impactful decisions at the early-entry deadline, with Koa Peat opting to go pro, and Motiejus Krivas and Ivan Kharchenkov heading back to Tucson,� Borzello wrote. “Peat's expected departure means Tommy Lloyd will have to find frontcourt reinforcements elsewhere as the roster looks incredibly thin as it stands.�

While there may be a small chance that Peat returns to Arizona if he is not solidly expected to be picked in the middle of the first round — he’ll have until 10 days after the May 10-17 Combine to withdraw if he wants to — the Wildcats had only Krivas to rotate into their two post spots as of Friday.

Kharchenkov played power forward at times in 2025-26, but has been expected to return to his starting small forward spot, with incoming freshman Cameron Holmes as a backup. Arizona not only lost Peat and Awaka from its group of post players but also developmental prospect Sidi Gueye.

Meanwhile, many of the departing Wildcats appear to be in good position heading toward the NBA Draft next month, with guards Brayden Burries and Jaden Bradley, plus Peat and Awaka all among the 73 NBA Combine invitees.

Burries, Peat and Bradley were not surprises to receive invites but Awaka is listed as only the No. 110 top prospect on ESPN’s “Big Board.� However, after leading the country in offensive rebounding percentage (20.2) last season, Awaka may have opened up some NBA eyes with his unusual ability around the basket.

Noting that some NBA teams have started to put more weight back into offensive rebounding because they can generate extra possessions and high-efficiency shots, No Ceilings' Maxwell Baumbach listed Awaka among five players whose specialty skills are making them NBA prospects.

“Arizona’s Tobe Awaka owns the glass, and he’s not interested in subletting the space," Baumbach wrote in February. “The physical traits are there, as he’s both strong and springy. The mental side is there, too. Awaka plays hard, always sprinting down the floor to clean up any potential misses in transition. His attention to detail is great.

"He’s always trying to find ways to establish inside position when defenders aren’t yet engaged in the rebounding process. His timing is exquisite, as well. It feels like he always jumps at precisely the right time to high point the ball.

“Basically, Awaka has a myriad of ways to win on the glass. He can out-athlete, out-work and out-think opponents on the boards.�

Bradley, meanwhile, has quietly worked his way up the NBA Draft boards after entering the draft and then withdrawing each of the previous two springs. Bradley was named the Big 12 Player of the Year in 2025-26 while averaging 13.3 points and 4.4 assists, along with a 2.5-1 assist-turnover ratio.