The University of Arizona Wildcats women’s basketball program has a history marked by periods of both struggle and significant success. While often playing in the shadow of their renowned men’s counterparts, the Wildcats have carved out their own identity, reaching notable heights, including a historic run to the NCAA Championship game in 2021. As the 2024-2025 season concludes and the program transitions into a new era in the Big 12 Conference for the 2025-2026 season, it’s an opportune time to reflect on the recent season and look ahead at the program’s trajectory.
A Look Back at the 2024-2025 Season: Navigating the Pac-12 Finale
The 2024-2025 season marked the Arizona Wildcats’ final year competing in the Pac-12 Conference before their move to the Big 12. Under the leadership of Head Coach Adia Barnes, the team navigated a challenging schedule, showcasing moments of brilliance and resilience.
The Wildcats concluded the 2024-2025 season with a 19-14 overall record and a 10-8 record in Pac-12 play, finishing with a respectable showing in a competitive conference. Key victories against ranked teams highlighted their ability to compete at a high level. The team also participated in the postseason, although their run was cut short.
Several players stood out during the season. While specific statistics as of late April 2025 require further detailed data, the team showcased a blend of returning experience and impactful new additions. Fifth-year forward Isis Beh provided veteran leadership, while junior dual-sport athlete Erin Tack contributed valuable minutes. Sophomores Jada Williams, Skylar Jones, and Breya Cunningham continued their development, playing significant roles.
The Wildcats also welcomed key transfers, including junior guard Paulina Paris from the University of North Carolina (hometown: Congers, NY), sophomore forward Sahnya Jah from the reigning NCAA champions, the University of South Carolina (hometown: Alexandria, VA), and former Pepperdine University forward Jorynn Ross. These additions brought new dimensions and talent to the roster.
A New Chapter Begins: Moving to the Big 12
The 2025-2026 season will usher in a significant change for Arizona Women’s Basketball as they officially join the Big 12 Conference. This move presents both exciting opportunities and new challenges. The Wildcats will face unfamiliar opponents and adapt to a different style of play within a conference known for its competitiveness in women’s basketball.
The Architect of the Program: Head Coach Becky Burke
Following the conclusion of the 2024-2025 season, the Arizona Women’s Basketball program announced a change in leadership. On April 9, 2025, Becky Burke was named the new head coach of the Wildcats. Burke comes to Arizona after a successful stint at the University at Buffalo, where she led the Bulls to their first-ever WNIT championship and a program-record 30 wins in the 2024-2025 season.
The hiring of Burke signals a new direction for the program. Her recent success and experience in building a winning culture will be crucial as the Wildcats embark on their Big 12 journey. Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how Burke shapes the team’s identity and strategy in the coming seasons.
It’s important to note that Adia Barnes, who had been the head coach at Arizona for nine seasons and led the Wildcats to the NCAA Championship game in 2021, accepted the head coaching position at SMU on April 5, 2025. Her departure marks the end of a significant era for the program.
A Look at the Roster: Key Players for the Future
While the official roster for the 2025-2026 season under Coach Burke is still developing, several players from the 2024-2025 squad are expected to form the foundation of the team moving forward. These include players who gained valuable experience in the Pac-12 and those who showed significant potential:
Paulina Paris (Guard, Junior in 2024-2025): Her experience in a major conference and her skills as a guard will be valuable.
Sahnya Jah (Forward, Sophomore in 2024-2025): Coming from a championship-winning program, Jah’s athleticism and potential in the frontcourt are promising.
Jada Williams (Guard, Sophomore in 2024-2025): Her continued development in the backcourt will be crucial.
Skylar Jones (Guard, Sophomore in 2024-2025): Her versatility and contributions on both ends of the floor will be important.
Breya Cunningham (Forward, Sophomore in 2024-2025): Her presence in the paint and rebounding ability will be key.
Coach Burke will undoubtedly look to build upon this core, potentially adding new recruits and transfers to shape the roster according to her vision for the team’s style of play in the Big 12.
Arizona Women’s Basketball History: Building a Legacy
The Arizona Wildcats women’s basketball program has a history dating back to 1972. While the program experienced many losing seasons in its early years, it has seen periods of significant success, particularly in recent decades.
Under coaches like Joan Bonvicini and later Adia Barnes, the Wildcats made multiple NCAA Tournament appearances. Key historical milestones include reaching the NCAA Sweet Sixteen in 1998 and 2021, the Elite Eight and Final Four in 2021, and the NCAA Championship game in 2021, where they finished as runner-up. These achievements marked the program’s most successful era to date, capturing national attention.
The program has also seen individual player accolades and has consistently aimed to compete at the highest level of collegiate women’s basketball. The move to the Big 12 marks a new chapter in this history, with the program looking to build on past successes and establish itself in a new conference landscape.
FAQs
What was the overall and conference record for the Arizona Women’s Basketball team in the 2024-2025 season?
The Arizona Wildcats women’s basketball team concluded the 2024-2025 season with an overall record of 19 wins and 14 losses. In their inaugural season as a member of the Big 12 Conference, they achieved a conference record of 10 wins and 8 losses, demonstrating a strong performance within their new conference.
Who was the head coach of the Arizona Women’s Basketball team in the 2024-2025 season, and who has been appointed as the new head coach?
Adia Barnes served as the head coach for the Arizona Women’s Basketball team throughout the 2024-2025 season, marking her ninth year at the helm of the program. Following the season, Barnes accepted the head coaching position at SMU. On April 9, 2025, the University of Arizona announced the appointment of Becky Burke as the program’s new head coach, making her the 10th head coach in Arizona Women’s Basketball history.
Did the Arizona Women’s Basketball team participate in any postseason tournaments, and how did they fare?
Yes, the Arizona Wildcats earned a spot in the Women’s Basketball Invitational Tournament
(WBIT). They hosted a first-round game in Tucson on March 20, 2025, against Northern Arizona University. However, the Wildcats were defeated by the Lumberjacks with a final score of 71-69, resulting in a first-round exit from the tournament.
Can you highlight some of the key aspects and players from the Arizona Women’s Basketball team’s performance during the 2024-2025 season?
The 2024-2025 season was characterized by the emergence of young talent within the Arizona program and an efficient performance on both the offensive and defensive ends of the court. While specific individual statistics are not extensively detailed in the provided context, the mention of Jada Williams in relation to the team indicates her involvement as a player. The team showcased a strong finish in their conference play, securing ten wins in the Big 12.
How did Arizona Women’s Basketball perform in comparison to other teams in the Big 12 Conference during the 2024-2025 season?
Finishing with a 10-8 conference record placed Arizona 8th in the Big 12 Conference standings for the 2024-2025 season. This positioned them in the upper half of the 16-team conference in their inaugural year in the league. Teams like TCU, Baylor, Oklahoma State, and Kansas State had higher conference win totals, indicating they were among the top performers in the Big 12 during the season.
In summary
The Arizona Wildcats women’s basketball program is entering a new and exciting phase. The 2024-2025 season marked their final year in the Pac-12, a season of competitive play and individual player development. The appointment of Becky Burke as the new head coach signals a fresh start and new ambitions as the Wildcats transition to the Big 12 Conference in the 2025-2026 season. With a foundation of returning talent and the vision of a successful new coach, the future of Arizona Women’s Basketball holds considerable promise, and fans will be eagerly following their journey in a new conference landscape.
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