They are Arizona’s Fresh Connection, a group of way-better-than-abled bodies helping shape the success of the 2025-26 season. After all, UA is No. 1 in the country and 13-0.
- Koa Peat (14.2 points, 5.6 rebounds a game)
- Ivan Kharchenko (9.0, 3.7)
- Brayden Burries (14.0, 3.2)
- Dwayne Aristode (6.5, 1.9).
- Sidi Gueye (has come in the final minutes)
- Bryce James and Mabil Mawut have yet to get in a game.
Yet, all important because they all bring something different.
Peat and Burries are one, two in team scoring with Karchenkov seventh and Aristode eighth.
They rebound, defend and score from beyond the arc and anywhere in between.
And seemingly, the numbers don’t matter, given what they bring, given three are starters (Peat, Kharchenkov, Burries) and Aristode fills in nicely – and often – in the eight-man rotation.
There was a reason why recruiting services had the Wildcats No. 1 or No. 2 in the recruiting class.
Still, I had to ask: Have they – the young ones – exceeded in Tommy Lloyd’s expectations?
“My best answer is, I’m withholding judgment,” he said. “There’s a long road ahead, but I’m withholding judgment. Let’s also put it this way. I’m not putting any limitations on these guys, and I’m not going to be surprised if that ultimately is the outcome.
“We’re like, wow, we knew they were good, but maybe they’re even better than we thought. I think that would be a great thing, but we’re not there yet.”
vs South Dakota State pic.twitter.com/nD4MMReMig
— Arizona Basketball (@ArizonaMBB) December 31, 2025
Coach talk perhaps, but realistic given the bulk – and the most important part – of the schedule is still ahead. Nothing is won in November or December … except for the hearts of fans and pollsters.
At least, Arizona’s Fresh Connection had won many over. Clearly, they’ve played beyond their years, so much so I jokingly asked if anyone has checked their IDs. They surely don’t act like freshman – at the interview dais or on the court.
“We’ve always felt from day one, they had a sense of maturity about them, and they’re also great competitors, and they have good basketball IQs,” Lloyd said. “I think they’ve really progressed over the last couple months, and I’m looking forward for them to get a few days off (he said his comments before the Christmas break). They deserve it. They deserve a few days off to get away from me, get away from here, get from their families … I can’t wait to pick things back up with them on the 26th.”
They did. Nothing dropped. And likely won’t – although the grind may hit (usually does). But, they could defy that, too.
Sheesh Dwayne pic.twitter.com/Golp2Ye03F
— Arizona Basketball (@ArizonaMBB) December 30, 2025
Until then, UA will forge on with a bunch of freshmen and with a nice mix of upperclassmen in Jayden Bradley, Mo Krivas, Anthony Dell ‘Orso and Tobe Awaka, another batch that, too, brings its own issue to opponents.
Gotta close out harder on him. pic.twitter.com/mV5lCSRxvM
— Arizona Basketball (@ArizonaMBB) December 30, 2025
“I think at the beginning of the season, everybody (was) trying to figure it out, especially if only four or five people stayed from last year’s team,” Kharchenkov said. “So, it’s a completely new team. But, of course, the vets helped us out a lot, (helping) figure it out (because) everything is new for us – the college life, the college travel, the basketball itself, the intensity, the physicality.
“I think it’s just learning and they just taking care of us. And then maybe we have a little bit more energy, and then we pick it up.”
Still, usually when you have youth and inexperience anywhere – especially on a team – it’s a dangerous combination. That hasn’t been the case at UA.
“For me, I don’t really see it (being a) freshmen or not,” Kharchenkov said. “If you’re good enough, you’re physical enough, you can play at any level. Sure, the experience was gonna lack a little bit, but I feel like you can work it out in a different way, figure it out. But for me, being a freshman is just an experience thing. It’s not enough experience.”
But being savvy and sure helps. Kharchenkov is a young, cagey veteran from Europe who helped Germany take third place in the 2023 FIBA U18 European Championship. Peat is a veteran of the best and deepest competition in the states and beyond and a McDonald’s All-American. Burries was a five-star recruit and a McDonald’s All-American. Aristode was a top 40 recruit who played for the Netherlands as a 17-year-old.
“Those are my guys,” Peat said. “I love them on and off the court, especially off the court (given) we’re hanging out (outside of the games, going to get food together. It’s just special to come in here as a freshman and have those other freshmen next to me. It makes my job easier to come out here every day and practice and go my hardest, because I got guys like that on my team. I’m excited for what’s to come, and I think we’re gonna keep getting better.”
For Arizona faithful that’s a great thing; for opponents, not so much.
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