Zachary Lyon:
Future150 Regional Analyst. Covering high and middle school basketball: NC, SC & VA
Tuscon, AZ (Future150) -- The Big Dance is finally here and while everyone would like to cut down the nets, there can only be one champion. That being said, there is always the chance that the next season could be better than the last. With that in mind, Future150 would like to introduce "The Next Step", a segment dedicated to breaking down each program's recruitng class as they bow out of the tournament; because there's always next season.
The Arizona Wildcats had their March Madness come to a screeching halt at the hands of a tough-nosed, experienced Wichita State team. Despite losing Gabe York, Kaleb Tarczewski, and Ryan Anderson, Coach Sean Miller is reloading with three very talented prospects.
Arizona will be welcoming 5-star prospects Kobi Simmons, and Rawle Alkins, along with Lauri Markkanen who is a 4-star prospect from Finland. Simmons and Alkins could form one of the best one-two punches in the PAC-12 next season as both are deadly threats to take over a game.
Simmons is certainly a scoring threat, but also possesses natural lead guard abilities as he has fantastic handles and court vision. Alkins should step in from day one and be a major threat after the Wildcats lose scoring production Anderson, York, and Allonzo Trier (assuming he goes pro). In the frontcourt, Markkanen may not be a major contributor right away, but he will see solid minutes with Tarczewski departing for graduation.
Don't be surprised if you see next season's Arizona squad dancing farther into the tournament than they did this year. The Wildcats should have plenty of talent at every position.
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