Arizona are bolstering their squad with the addition of two guards from the transfer portal. Coach Tommy Lloyd has secured North Carolina transfer Derek Dixon and Washington transfer JJ Mandaquit. This is part of the Arizona coach’s efforts to reload the Wildcats for another Final Four run.
New Guards to Boost Arizona’s Backcourt
Both Dixon and Mandaquit were top-75 recruits in the Class of 2025. They will each have three years of eligibility remaining. They will join five-star guard Caleb Holt and four-star guard Cameron Holmes.
The new additions should form a strong backcourt, despite the losses of Jaden Bradley, Anthony Dell’Orso and Brayden Burries.
Projected Starting Lineup
Arizona’s current roster construction suggests a potential starting lineup.
Michigan Ranked No. 1 in Way-Too-Early Rankings
The Wildcats are up to No. 8 in Version 5 of the 2026-27 CBS Sports Top 25 And 1 college basketball rankings. Michigan remains No. 1. The projection is that the Wolverines will return three of their top five scorers. These are Morez Johnson Jr., Elliot Cadeau and Trey McKenney.
Michigan’s core is expected to combine with Tennessee transfer J.P. Estrella, five-star freshman Brandon McCoy Jr. and four-star freshmen Quinn Costello and Lincoln Cosby. This would create a roster that seems capable of going back-to-back.
Uncertainties in Michigan’s Roster
Questions remain about the Michigan roster. Are we sure Johnson is returning to Michigan? Or that Aday Mara is definitely leaving?
Neither potential first-round pick has publicly announced their intentions.
The projection is that Mara leaves and Johnson stays. If either does the opposite, or both do the same, the Top 25 And 1 will adjust accordingly.
For now, that’s the projection that has Michigan No. 1.