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The next college basketball season will be here in the blink of an eye—just like how the last season came and went in a flash. November can’t arrive soon enough, but for now, fans wait to see where players will land for next season. Some players are still deciding whether or not to enter the draft.
Teams are finalizing their non-conference schedules. For Arizona, the season will begin with a major test: a matchup against the defending national champion Florida Gators. Bryce James, the son of LeBron, will start his college career against an up-and-coming powerhouse. That’s quite a way to begin.
College basketball insider Jon Rothstein reports that the Wildcats are set to add another powerhouse opponent, finalizing a deal to face Florida in the season opener. “The game would be played Nov. 3, the first day of the 2025–26 season, in Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena as part of a doubleheader that would also feature BYU and Villanova,” Brian J. Pederson wrote.
James committed to Arizona in January. He brings impressive length and athleticism and was a key piece of a highly regarded recruiting class for the Wildcats. The season opener won’t be easy, especially with Florida returning a top-tier lineup that could very well make a run at back-to-back titles.
“The expectation now is to go back-to-back... They went back-to-back in '06-'07. Why wouldn't they think they're gonna run the table again?” said Isis Young.
Arizona reached the Sweet Sixteen last season before falling to Duke and their talented roster. This year, the Wildcats are expected to showcase a similarly young and dynamic group—much like Duke did last season. It’s shaping up to be a very exciting year for Arizona basketball.
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James is looking to play a significant role in the team’s success. Expect him to use his length to make an impact on both ends of the court. He may not be a one-and-done prospect like his brother at USC, but his development will be something to watch closely.
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