Which is the best men's basketball team in Arizona history?

Which is the best basketball team in Arizona history? The 35-3 Wildcats of 1988 or the 32-2 (so far) Wildcats of 2026?

There are no other contenders for the debate. Even though the ’97 Wildcats won the national championship, they finished in fourth place in the Pac-10 and lost nine games. That historic team had the best run of success, the best timing, beating No. 1 seeds Kansas, North Carolina and Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament. But the ’88 and ’26 Wildcats are alone at the top when considering a full season, start to finish.

Let's compare the two:

– The 1988 Wildcats began the season ranked No. 17 and were subsequently ranked No. 1 for six weeks. The ’26 Wildcats began the season ranked No. 13 and spent nine weeks at No. 1.

– The 1988 Wildcats beat four Top 10 teams. The 2026 Wildcats beat six Top 10 teams (and 12 Top 25).

– The ’88 Wildcats did not play a Top 25 team in the Pac-10 season. The ’26 Wildcats played 11 Top 25 Big 12 opponents.

– The ’88 Pac-10 was dreadful. Only 20-11 Oregon State joined Arizona in the NCAA Tournament. The Beavers lost in the first round. In 2026, the Big 12 has eight teams in the NCAA Tournament, five of whom — Arizona, Houston, Iowa State, Texas Tech and Kansas — appear to be legitimate contenders to get to the Final Four, or close.

– In 1988, Arizona outscored opponents by an average of 86-68. The ’26 Wildcats have outscored foes 85-64. Close one.

– In ’88, Arizona's two pre-tournament losses were at 22-14 New Mexico and at 22-12 Stanford. Total margin of those defeats: 10 points. This year, the Wildcats lost at Kansas and at home to Texas Tech, both of which spent many weeks in the Top 25. Total margin of defeat: eight points.

– Shooting? The ’88 Wildcats shot 54.5%. The ’26 Wildcats have shot 50.2%.

– The ’88 Wildcats shot 48.3% from 3-point range, a still-standing school record. The ’26 Wildcats have shot 36.1%.

– The ’88 Wildcats outrebounded opponents 33.5 to 29.0. This year's Wildcat team holds a 29.8 to 20.8 rebound edge.

– The ’88 Wildcats held opponents to a 42.8 shooting percentage. The ’26 Wildcats have limited opponents to 39.2% shooting.

– The ’88 Wildcats produced five future NBA players: Sean Elliott, Steve Kerr, Tom Tolbert, Anthony Cook and Jud Buechler. The ’26 Wildcats appear to have at least five players with NBA futures: Brayden Burries, Mo Krivas, Ivan Karchenkov, Koa Peat and Jaden Bradley.

Ultimately, the ’88 Wildcats lost to 35-4 Oklahoma, a No. 1 seed, 86-78 in the Final Four.

Now the ’26 Wildcats have a chance to match that or go a step beyond. Only then could this debate — who's the best ever? — will be decided.