It is a new year which means there are new opportunities out there for the programs in the Arizona athletic department.
Here is a wishlist for some of the major Arizona programs going into 2025:
Football: Bring back the Territorial Cup
The 2024 season was one of disappointment, but one of the most disappointing moments was the blowout loss to ASU.
Not only did the Sun Devils beat the Wildcats, they did so in convincing fashion. Arizona had won two years in a row before this season.
In order to get the Territorial Cup back, they will need to have a turnaround season. On both sides of the ball there needs to be improvement in play.
Some of the key returners going into next season include Noah Fifita and Treydan Stukes, both team captains last season.
However, head coach Brent Brennan has brought in some new faces from the transfer portal.
Coming over from New Mexico is wide receiver Luke Wysong and coming from Northwestern State is linebacker Blake Gotcher.
Wysong had eight catches for 129 yards and a touchdown. Gotcher led all of Division-I with 162 tackles.
All of the players mentioned will be key to getting back the territorial cup from the Sun Devils.
Men’s basketball: Win the Big 12 Tournament
The 2024-2025 season did not get off to an ideal start, but there are many opportunities to turn it around. It started with a close win against TCU on Monday.
It was Arizona’s first win in the Big 12, and the next opportunity comes on Saturday against Cincinnati. This is just the start to a long road in Big 12 play.
The Wildcats are led by senior Caleb Love, who has scored 80 points combined in the last three games. If Arizona is going to have a shot at the Big 12 championship, it starts with Love.
Going along with Love, is Jaden Bradley who has been one of the best offensive weapons all season.
Head coach Tommy Lloyd is facing an uphill battle with the rest of the Big 12 to play, but has shown an ability to win in conference tournaments.
Lloyd won the Pac-12 tournament in his first two seasons. If he can take this trend into the Big 12 it will help Arizona’s chances at getting into the NCAA tournament.
Women’s basketball: Make a run in the Big 12 Tournament
After sneaking into the NCAA tournament last season, the young Wildcats are now in the Big 12. Conference play started off with a road win at BYU.
However, the Wildcats came back home for one more game in 2024 and lost to Utah. It was one-sided, but Arizona’s next chance to bounce back is during its road trip to UCF.
In order to have a chance in the Big 12 tournament, it will need to come from consistent play from sophomore forward Breya Cunningham.
She averages 12.8 points per game and 6.9 rebounds per game. Along with Cunningham, sophomore guard Jada Williams who is a dynamic playmaker.
Arizona leans on the defensive presence, it is second in the Big-12 in steals per game with 8.9 per game and causes 20.5 turnovers per game, which is third in the Big 12.
Baseball: Win an NCAA tournament game
Winning the final Pac-12 baseball tournament championship was enough to earn Arizona a chance to host an NCAA tournament regional this past June.
However, the Wildcats were unable to win a game and were swept at their home stadium. This year, the goal should be to earn another hosting opportunity, but this time win a game.
Juniors Brendan Summerhill and Mason White will be some of the players leading the charge for Arizona. Summerhill had 77 hits and 50 runs while White had 73 hits and 55 runs.
Head coach Chip Hale goes into his fourth season looking to get back to the NCAA tournament. It would be his fourth season in a row going to the tournament, if Arizona is able to get back.
Softball: Get back to the Women’s College World Series
Last year, the Arizona softball team had a surprise sweep in the Fayetteville regional, but would fail to win a game in the Stillwater super regional.
Going into this next season, the goal should be to go further in the NCAA tournament. This year the Wildcats will be led by junior Dakota Kennedy and sophomore Regan Shockey.
Kennedy had 68 hits and 54 runs last season. Shockey had 80 hits and 44 runs. Both will need to drive strong hitting for the rest of the Wildcats and set the bar high.
It will be the third season for head coach Caitlin Lowe. She has taken Arizona to the Women’s College World Series before, so there should be aspirations to get back there.
This will be Arizona’s first season in the Big 12. This means they will have a chance at revenge against Oklahoma State, who eliminated Arizona last season.
Volleyball: Earn a spot in the NCAA tournament
For head coach Charita Stubbs and the Wildcats, next season’s goal is clear and simple. They want to earn a spot in the NCAA tournament.
After being snubbed from this year’s tournament, Arizona was invited to play in the NIVC. It made the most of the opportunity by winning the championship against Bowling Green.
This year, they will be led by senior Jordan Wilson and sophomore Carlie Cisneros. Both attackers were major parts in the success for the Wildcats this season.
Wilson had 446 kills and Cisneros had 307 kills. Along with the attacking duo, sophomore setter Avery Scoggins will also be a key factor to success.
Scoggins has 1,184 assists, which helped earn her multiple Big-12 freshman of the week awards.
Stubbs is going into her third season, and it will be a season of high expectations.