1 transfer portal target Arizona basketball must sign to get back to Final Four

Arizona basketball walked into the Final Four envisioning ending its near three-decade national title drought. The Wildcats now must reload after becoming obliterated by Michigan. ‘Zona immediately turned to the College Basketball Transfer Portal to address the Wolverines romp.

Head coach Tommy Lloyd and company added two future Arizona guards already: Derek Dixon (North Carolina) and JJ Mandaquit (Washington) arrive to the desert. Both look ready to replace Brayden Burries and Jaden Bradley.

Except ‘Zona needs another portal addition to top off the roster. Plus reignite the Wildcats’ chances of getting back to the round of four and this time, winning it all.

Lloyd can turn in various directions here in the remaining portal market. That includes finding a big to replace the team’s top rim protector Motiejus Krivas. Or also immediately line up the replacement for Koa Peat, who’s still mulling the NBA Draft.

Finding frontcourt help sounds intriguing. But this high-profile shooter is still available and linked to Arizona.

Arizona must lure this transfer star in

The Big 12 champs landed on the short list of Wisconsin shooting guard John Blackwell.

He remains one of the nation’s most coveted transfer portal entries. Except now he appears to be closing fast on a decision.

Blackwell originally announced a final six consisting of Alabama, Illinois, Duke, Louisville, UCLA and Arizona. But it looks like some of these options are ready to fall off.

Illinois added to its European pipeline by swopping up Stefan Vaaks of Providence, who plays Blackwell’s position. Louisville landed Jackson Shelstad via Oregon and hosted Karter Knox of Arkansas Monday. Landing Knox solidifies the Cardinals’ backcourt and will present little room to add Blackwell.

Louisville, though, hasn’t pulled out of Blackwell’s race yet per Travis Banham of 247Sports. UCLA is one more aggressive suitor for Blackwell.

Arizona still needs to add star power post Burries and Bradley.

Why Arizona fits John Blackwell

Burries’ departure opens an opportunity for someone else to take over lead scorer duties in Tucson.

But there’s one more reasoning why Blackwell fits here: Lloyd runs a guard-heavy system even with having a loaded frontcourt this past season.

Burries and Bradley averaged more than 13 points per game under Lloyd. The head coach’s offense works best playing at a fast pace. Both guards penetrated inside quickly before the opponent set up its defense.

Blackwell attacks in a straight line through the paint. He’ll even play through contact down low. And Arizona adds a kickout shooter on the perimeter if the Wildcats win him over.

Yet even with two guards already on board, Blackwell rises as the early No. 1 option for Lloyd if he commits to ‘Zona. The now former Badgers star could be that missing championship piece to hand the school its first basketball title since 1997.

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