Wildcat Country

It's the middle of summer, but we have plenty to talk about. What should we make of the NBA buyout clause in Tommy Lloyd's contract? Does Jaden Bradley rank among the best point guards in UA history? Is Arizona football really going to go 4-8 next season? And, oh yeah, that Kerr Kriisa thing.

Arizona returns Noah Fifita and key pieces of the offensive line from last year's 9-win team, but the Wildcats have been required to reload at other key positions. Arizona offensive coordinator Seth Doege joins us for a position-by-position breakdown heading into 2026, returners and newcomers to watch, and much more.

Brayden Burries is headed to Milwaukee, Koa Peat is staying home, Desiree Reed-Francois may be headed out of town, and President Garimella may not be far behind. We break it all down in a "free-for-all" edition of Wildcat Country.

The Arizona Wildcats' defense was one of the most surprising units in college football in 2025. Can we expect a repeat performance (or better) in 2026? Defensive coordinator Danny Gonzales joins us for a position-by-position breakdown, thoughts on the 100th Territorial Cup game, the Brendan Sorsby situation, and a lot more!

We're reacting to the fallout of the court decision to allow Brendan Sorsby to play football at Texas Tech next season. Should Arizona and other Big 12 schools refuse to play the Red Raiders in 2026? Plus, Arizona Wildcats reporter Mackenzie Hamilton makes her Wildcat Country debut to discuss her favorite moments from the 2025-26 season, and her favorite athletes and sports to cover during her...

Koa Peat is officially NBA-bound, leaving Arizona with a big hole at the power forward position heading into next season. How will Tommy Lloyd fill it, and how will the rest of the roster shake out? ESPN hoops analyst Fran Fraschilla joins us with an early preview of the 2026-27 season. Plus, did Koa make the right decision? Will Milan Momcilovic head to Tucson? And what do we think about the game...

Arizona's 2025-26 athletic season is nearly complete, and we have some thoughts on the biggest surprises, biggest disappointments and best games and moments of one of the most memorable seasons in recent years. Plus, thoughts on the the future of the softball and baseball programs, a recap of an awesome event with Tommy Lloyd, Brent Brennan and others at Dirtbag's in Phoenix - and finally,...

When Arizona isn't a basketball school, it's a tennis school. Clancy Shields, head coach of the men's tennis team, joins us to discuss the Wildcats' run to the Elite Eight of the NCAA championships, and what it'll take to knock off top-seeded Wake Forest in Athens. Plus, the latest on Koa Peat's future, the 76-team NCAA Tournament, and a softball Regionals preview.

It’s a Wildcat Country crossover event! Mike Luke, host of the AZ12 Wildcats Podcast, joins us for a “State of the Wildcats” episode. Topics include: Should Koa Peat return to Arizona? What will the athletic department look like by year’s end? And with Texas Tech possibly losing its starting QB, is Arizona football a true Big 12 contender?

How is Arizona football looking after spring camp, and can the Wildcats keep the momentum going after an impressive 2025? Barrett Baker makes his record 31st appearance on Wildcat Country to share his thoughts. Plus, should we be concerned with the lack of transfer portal activity for UA men's basketball? Also, Eric shares some heartfelt thoughts and memories of an elderly Wildcat fan he becam...

The transfer portal is open, and Arizona men's basketball has made a couple early moves - but a lot of questions are still unanswered. Former Wildcat and current broadcaster Matt Muehlebach joins us to look back at an outstanding season and share reasons for optimism going forward. Plus, what should we make of UA's additions in the backcourt?

Tommy Lloyd's future in Arizona has been secured, but the Wildcats' incredible season ended with a resounding defeat to eventual national champion Michigan. How will the 2025-26 Wildcats be remembered - and what should we make of the Desiree Reed-Francois situation? Eric and Shane reflect on an incredible season, and what's in store going forward.

The Arizona Wildcats' reward for making their first Final Four in 25 years? A Michigan team that appears to match them on both sides of the ball. Bruce Pascoe, longtime UA men's hoops beat writer for the Arizona Daily Star, joins us to preview the matchup, and the speculation swirling around coach Tommy Lloyd amid reports of a rift between him and Athletic Director Desiree Reed-Francois. Plus, Sha...

It happened. After a quarter-century drought, the Arizona Wildcats are back in the Final Four after a dominant second half vs. Purdue. Shane and Eric react and look ahead to what awaits the Wildcats next weekend.

Arizona made light work of No. 4 seed Arkansas in the Sweet 16 to advance to its first Elite Eight in 11 years. Can the Wildcats finally get over the hump and reach the Final Four for the first time in a quarter century? Eric and Shane react to the win over the Razorbacks and preview Saturday's showdown with Purdue.

For the fourth time in five years, the Arizona Wildcats are in the Sweet 16 – but has Tommy Lloyd put together the team that will finally get UA back to a place they haven’t been in a quarter century? College basketball analyst Matt Muehlebach and college hoops writer Brian Rauf join us to preview and predict Arizona vs. Arkansas and potential matchups with Purdue and Sean Miller’s Texas Longhorns...

The Arizona Wildcats are the favorites of many to win the 2026 NCAA Tournament. ESPN college hoops analyst Fran Fraschilla joins us to reveal whether he's among those who believe UA is the team to beat, and who has the best chance to hang with the Cats in the West Region. Plus, we make our predictions for the Final Four and the national champion.

As predicted, Arizona earned the No. 1 seed in the West Region after winning the Big 12 regular-season and tournament championships. Eric and Shane provide their initial reactions and make some early picks from the brand-new, state-of-the-art sports bar at Harrah’s Ak-Chin Casino!

The Arizona Wildcats closed the regular season with a program-best 29th win at Colorado. Can the Cats ride the momentum into the NCAA Tournament with a Big 12 Tournament title? We make our predictions for UA's fate in Kansas City. Plus, is Jaden Bradley a deserving Big 12 Player of the Year? And we share our thoughts on an incredible "Bear Down Breakdown" football event in Scottsdale...

It's the 300th episode of Wildcat Country, and the first of (hopefully) many Big 12 championships for Arizona men's basketball. Arizona radio analyst Ryan Hansen joins us to recap Zona's big wins over Kansas and Iowa State, and look ahead to the conference and NCAA Tournaments. Plus, we make our picks for UA's final regular season game at Colorado, and relive our favorite guests an...

Arizona weathered the injury storm and pulled out a big win at then-No. 2 Houston, followed by a grind-it-out victory at Baylor. Can UA get healthy and keep the momentum going as it heads into big-time home matchups vs. Kansas and Iowa State - and what else do the Cats need to do to secure a No. 1 seed in the Big Dance? Former Wildcat-turned commentator Matt Muehlebach joins us to discuss. Plus, w...

Arizona men's basketball ended a two-game skid with a win over BYU in Tucson - but the Wildcats are shorthanded, with no timetable for the return of freshmen Koa Peat and Dwayne Aristode. Can the Wildcats remain competitive in the meantime? We provide an outlook for the rest of the regular season, including predictions for upcoming road games at Houston and Baylor.

The men's basketball team's undefeated run came to an end at Kansas. How will the Cats respond? Joe Lopez, host of the Texas Tech "Tortillas & Takes" podcast, helps us break down Saturday's showdown with the Red Raiders in Tucson. Also, former UA captain Barrett Baker joins us to react to Brent Brennan's contract extension and provide a super-early preview of the 2026...

Arizona Wildcats men's basketball is off to its best-ever start following wins at BYU and the team up north. UA basketball radio analyst Ryan Hansen joins us to discuss the Cats' success, and whether any of the tough opponents remaining on their schedule can slow them down. Plus, Harrah's Ak-Chin Casino GM Mike Kintner joins us to make predictions for UA's upcoming matchups vs. Okl...

Arizona survived a late scare (and Tony Padilla) to earn a big win at BYU and remain undefeated. Fran Fraschilla, who called the game on ESPN, joins us to share his thoughts on the victory, and whether he thinks the Wildcats look like the team to beat in March. Plus, reaction to the 2026 UA football schedule, and our predictions for Arizona's rematch with ASU in Tempe.