Arizona Made the Final Four, But Their New Guards Have Just 22 Starts Facing UCLA

Alright, Emerald City, listen up! College hoops might feel a million miles away, but UCLA's gearing up for an absolute BANGER to kick off their 2026-27 campaign, and it's gonna tell us EVERYTHING. They're heading to Las Vegas for the Hall of Fame Series at T-Mobile Arena, staring down an Arizona Wildcats squad that just made the Final Four! This isn't just another game, this is an immediate gut-check, and it's gonna be wild.

Arizona's Final Four Hangover Is Real

Hold up, though. While Arizona just came off their first Final Four run since 2001, proving Coach Tommy Lloyd has them back in the college hoops elite, things are lookin' a little different this time around, and not in a good way for Wildcat fans. They rolled with a super young squad last season, seven freshmen on the roster and three of 'em starting! You'd think that'd mean experience coming back, right? WRONG. Three of their five starters and FIVE players from their eight-man rotation are off to the NBA! That's a massive hit. A Final Four team, and they're essentially reloading. Center Motiejus Krivas and small forward Ivan Kharchenkov are the only true veteran leaders left standing, and they're gonna have their work cut out for them. These two are absolute beasts, and they'll be making life incredibly tough for UCLA's bigs right out of the gate. To fill those gaping holes, Arizona's bringing in transfer guards JJ Mandaquit from Washington and Derek Dixon from UNC, trying to replace stars like Jaden Bradley and Brayden Burries. But here’s the kicker, the really wild part: these two transfers have a combined total of *just 22 starts* and minimal impact as reserves. That's a huge question mark hanging over a Final Four program, and UCLA is about to put it to the test.

UCLA's Squad: New Faces, Familiar Firepower

So, how's our beloved Bruins-adjacent squad looking for this early showdown, an immediate gauge of where they stand? Well, Xavier Booker and Eric Dailey Jr. are gonna get a serious baptism by fire against those veteran Arizona bigs, Krivas and Kharchenkov, no doubt about it. This isn't just a warm-up; it’s a true test of where these Bruin veterans stand right away. The UCLA roster is definitely still getting built for Coach Mick Cronin, but we know Trent Perry and Eric Freeney are back, alongside Booker and Dailey Jr., ready to contribute. Plus, they're bringing in some fresh talent, hoping to make an immediate impact. We're talking about new guards Jaylen Petty and Azavier Robinson, and some crucial size with forwards Sergej Macura and Filip Jovic. Those new forwards are gonna be huge, providing some much-needed depth and muscle in the paint, especially against a physical Arizona team. It's not all new though. UCLA has actually played Arizona pretty tough in their previous two neutral-floor matchups during the nonconference slate, so they know what it takes to compete and get results against them. This isn't uncharted territory; it's a familiar opponent with a new-look roster, for both sides. This game against Arizona isn't just a season opener; it's a statement for the entire college basketball world. It's a chance for UCLA to show the league exactly what kind of squad they've built, especially with all those new transfers integrating. For us Seattle fans, it's a chance to see some high-level hoops right out of the gate and get an early read on potential future stars. We'll be watching every possession. This is college basketball, baby, and it's starting with an absolute bang that sets the tone for everything to come!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.