The Arizona Wildcats enter the 2026 Large 12 Conference Tournament as favorites, despite a contrasting philosophy between current head coach Tommy Lloyd and legendary former coach Lute Olson regarding the importance of the event.
A History of Disdain
Lute Olson, who led the Arizona Wildcats for 25 years, openly disliked conference tournaments. Despite winning four Pac-10 Tournament titles – more than any other coach – he was pleased when the league discontinued the event in 1991, even after winning the three prior editions. He later won the tournament again in 2002, but generally prioritized success in the NCAA Tournament.
Tommy Lloyd, however, approaches the tournament with a different mindset. While acknowledging that Arizona’s seeding in the NCAA Tournament is already secure, he emphasized a commitment to winning every game. “If you position us in a tournament, I guess I’m a sucker for it, I’m going to try and win it,” Lloyd stated after securing the Big 12 regular season title.
Tournament Outlook
Arizona (29-2) is the odds-on favorite to win the tournament, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, with odds of +100. Houston follows at +200, with Iowa State (+700), Kansas (+1000), and Texas Tech (+2000) also in contention. The Wildcats are virtually guaranteed a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, likely in the West Region, with opening-round games scheduled in San Diego.
Arizona’s first game is scheduled for Thursday at 12 p.m. PT against either No. 8 seed UCF, No. 9 Cincinnati, or No. 16 Utah. Cincinnati and Utah will play Tuesday, with the winner facing UCF on Wednesday. Potential semifinal and championship games are set for Friday at 4 p.m. PT and Saturday at 3 p.m. PT, respectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Arizona’s record this season?
Arizona currently has a record of 29-2.
Who is the favorite to win the Big 12 Tournament?
Arizona is the favorite, with +100 odds according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
What did Lute Olson believe of conference tournaments?
Lute Olson disliked conference tournaments and was happy when the Pac-10 discontinued the event in 1991.
As Arizona prepares for its first game, how much weight will the team place on performing well in a tournament its former coach often dismissed?
