Arizona is now the #1 team on ESPN, Sporting New, USA today, CBS, YAHOO & SI

[WILD]

The Arizona Wildcats are now the #1 team in the land (for now) on all the major polls that matter.  Gotta love it!

ESPN
1.Arizona Wildcats
In a 24-hour span this week, Arizona rose up the preseason rankings when Rawle Alkins withdrew from the NBA draft and Emmanuel Akot (No. 21 in the ESPN 60 for the 2018 class) reclassified into the 2017 class. The class was ranked fourth overall before Akot's move and was already anchored by DeAndre Ayton, the No. 2 incoming prospect in the ESPN 100. Allonzo Trier (17.2 PPG) should earn a spot on most preseason All-American first teams. Dusan Ristic and Parker Jackson-Cartwright give coach Sean Miller a pair of talented vets who will round out a starting rotation unrivaled on the West Coast. Plus, the staff is excited about Brandon Randolph's potential to evolve into a playmaker in his first season. Yes, Miller is still chasing his first trip to the Final Four, but his roster for next season presents a challenge for any opponent in the country, which means his season might end with a spot in San Antonio in 2018.

Sporting News
1. Arizona Wildcats
Expected back: Parker Jackson-Cartwright, Dusan Ristic
Definitely gone: Lauri Markkanen, Kadeem Allen, Chance Comanche, Kobi Simmons
Decision time: Allonzo Trier, Rawle Alkins,
Why they're here: If the guys on the should-I-go-pro fence decide to return, Arizona is the clear Pac-12 favorite, and the Wildcats will stay atop this ranking when next fall rolls around. Will that happen, though? Hard to know. Either way, Sean Miller will have tons of talent on his roster; his top-five recruiting class includes the prospect some consider No. 1 in the country — big man DeAndre Ayton — and three more four-star players, power forward Ira Lee and guards Brandon Randolph Alex Barcello & Emmanuel Akot.

USA TODAY
1. Arizona (32-5 in 2016-17)
Projected lottery pick Lauri Markkanen is gone to the NBA, and Kobi Simmons might leave, too. But much of Arizona's prospects depends on the NBA decision of leading scorer Allonzo Trier, a projected second-round pick who likely will consider his pro options without an agent. Rawle Alkins (10.9 points per game) had a strong freshman season and is poised for a big sophomore year if he bypasses the NBA. The return of Dusan Ristic and  point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright should give coach Sean Miller an established core. Miller hauled in a top-three recruiting class — headlined by 7-footer DeAndre Ayton, the country's No. 1 prospect, according to 247 Sports — that will keep the Wildcats contending.

CBS
1.Arizona Wildcats
Why the Wildcats are here: The return of Allonzo Trier, Rawle Alkins and Dusan Ristic means Arizona has three double-digit scorers back to pair with a heralded recruiting class headlined by DeAndre Ayton and Emmanuel Akot. That means the Wildcats are both experienced and talented. And that's usually the combination that produces lots of wins and even championships.

YAHOO
1. ARIZONA
Key losses: G Kadeem Allen, F Lauri Markkanen, G Kobi Simmons, C Chance Comanche
Key returners: G Allonzo Trier, G Rawle Alkins, G Parker Jackson-Cartwright, C Dusan Ristic, F Keanu Pinder
Notable newcomers: G Dylan Smith, F DeAndre Ayton, G Brandon Randolph, F Ira Lee, G Alex Barcello, G Emmanuel Akot
Outlook: Next season will be a golden opportunity for Sean Miller to shed the label of college basketball's best coach never to reach a Final Four. Miller boasts a roster with an enviable blend of talented newcomers and experienced veterans. The key for Arizona is the return of wings Allonzo Trier and Rawle Alkins, both of whom could have been selected in the NBA draft had they turned pro. Trier is a preseason All-American candidate after averaging 17.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists last season. Alkins is a bulldozing wing with the strength to finish through contact, the toughness to play through a fractured finger and the skill to sink 37 percent of his threes. With those two back, seniors Dusan Ristic and Parker Jackson-Cartwright also returning and a top-five recruiting class set to arrive, Arizona is the Pac-12 favorite and a threat to start next season atop the polls.

Sports Illustrated
1. Arizona Wildcats
Sophomore guard Allonzo Trier and 6'5" freshman Rawle Alkins should return and join the nation's top freshman, 6'11" center DeAndre Ayton.

[Ar1zona]

Let's go!!!