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The Arizona Wildcats were exposed last season without a post game and a reliable point guard to run the show. Head coach Sean Miller knew it, and so did just about everyone in the nation. So what did Miller do this offseason? He signed a nationally ranked recruiting class, headlined by three five-star freshmen all above 6'8. And in a move nobody expected, Miller's former recruit and player, Mark Lyons, announced he was transferring to UA for his senior season.
Given the Wildcats' ability to go 10-deep with their roster, a solid blend of size and skill, and Miller's superb tournament record, many feel Arizona could be a contender for a deep run in March.
As the preseason college basketball rankings begin to come out, many experts feel UA is a top 10 team. Athlon Sports has Arizona ranked No. 7 in the nation to start the year. This ranking is the highest from any national publication thus far.
As for the rest of Athlon's list, Indiana, Louisville, Kentucky, Kansas and Syracuse are their top five. The UCLA Bruins were the only other Pac-12 team ranked, and they came in at No. 12.
Team practices officially begin on Friday.