Arizona returned to the top of the Associated Press Top 25 on Monday, edging out Michigan for the No. 1 ranking and reaffirming its place as one of the nation’s most complete teams through the first month of the season.
The Wildcats (8-0) earned the top spot after dismantling Auburn 97-68 over the weekend, the program’s largest margin of victory over a ranked opponent in more than two decades, according to ESPN.
Arizona’s size and perimeter shot-making has made it one of the most explosive offenses in the country, averaging more than 90 points per game while holding opponents to just 63.
Coach Tommy Lloyd’s roster features a deep rotation, but it is the frontcourt that has set the tone early. Arizona has consistently overwhelmed opponents on the boards and in transition, using defensive pressure to trigger quick, efficient scoring opportunities.
The schedule offers little rest. Arizona now travels to face No. 12 Alabama at Legacy Arena in Birmingham, a matchup that ranks among the week’s most anticipated. The Crimson Tide bring one of the nation’s top offenses, giving Arizona a measuring stick before heading into the thick of its Big 12 conference slate.
Arizona’s rise is hardly a surprise. The Wildcats have spent the past four seasons reestablishing themselves as a national power under Lloyd, consistently ranking among the country’s best in efficiency and depth. But with multiple contenders scattered across the top 10, Arizona’s margin for error remains slim.
With four dominant wins over ranked opponents and an offense firing at every level, the Wildcats appear positioned for another run toward a No. 1 seed. And perhaps more if they continue their down their current path.
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