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The Arizona Wildcats made a statement to the nation on Monday, defeating the defending national champion Florida Gators by a score of 93-87. Arizona came into the game as an underdog and showed why they’re a dark horse candidate for their first Final Four since 2001.
Koa Peat had a historic debut that had the college basketball world talking. Jaden Bradley marked a new career-high with 27 points. German transplant freshman Ivan Kharchenkov surprised fans by starting this game but put viewers on notice with his play. The Wildcats were able to get this win without five-star recruit Brayden Burries having his best night. Burries shot 1-6 from the field and fouled out of the game in the second half.
Florida was unable to overcome the defensive activity of the Wildcats in this one as Arizona was able to pressure shooters and make it hard on Florida in the paint. Tommy Lloyd’s group weathered the storm of a team that cut down the nets last season.
Peat Puts Nation On Notice
Peat’s debut was historic. The Arizona native became the first player in Big 12 history to score 30 points and tally five assists in their career debut. He also became the 2nd Wildcat to ever have a 25/5/5 game as a freshman (Jerryd Baylees did it twice). Peat is also the only Division-I player in the last 30 seasons to have at least 25 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, 5 assists, and a block in their college debut, per Greg Harvey.
Peat’s debut was everything that was advertised and then a lot more. Pressuring the rim, playing well in the defensive system, disrupting shots, getting out in transition, diving on the floor for loose balls, dunking with ferocity, facilitating the offense – Peat looked the part of a top-five NBA draft pick tonight against one of the best teams in the country.
If Peat can bottle this level of play up and continue to build on this going forward, he’ll change his life forever. Teams will start to double Peat but that is something he’s seen before. Peat is one of, if not the most accomplished high-school hoopers of all time. He is the only player from any country to win four junior national team gold medals. A four-time state champion with a public school as well, Peat has seen it all up to this point and he’s only getting better.
Ivan Kharchenkov Starts Over Dell’Orso
Freshman forward Kharchenkov earned the start against the Gators over veteran sharp-shooter Anthony Dell’Orso in a move that pleased, but also surprised many Wildcats fans pre-game. Kharchenkov’s overall mix of experience, physicality, intelligence and versatility is likely what led to him getting the start. The foreign prospect put up a double-double in his first game within Lloyd’s system, 12 points to pair with 10 rebounds.
Kharchenkov showed why many pundits picked him as the player with highest floor of any small forward on Lloyd’s roster this season. He has all the tools to have a career like fan-favorite Pelle Larsson. Fulfilling NBA potential will not be easy, but that is the prototype for a player like Kharchenkov who can do a little bit of everything on the court but will not be starring on this year’s team with so much talent around him.
Get ready to learn more about this foreign wing.
Arizona Wrestles With Gators
This was the marquee matchup of college basketball’s opening night. The defending national champions looked the part early in this one as they jumped out to an early lead on the Wildcats. Florida’a Xavien Lee started with some early buckets but went completely cold, finishing the game 5-17 from the field. Lee did have some highly impressive dishes to teammates off of his downhill drives. If Lee can get acclimated to a higher level of play, he can be highly effective for the Gators down the stretch.
One adjustment the Wildcats made that led to them regaining the lead before the end of the first half was their defensive attention and intensity increased. The “easy buckets” Florida was able to generate started going away and Arizona began creating tons of rim pressure at the other end. The rim pressure the Wildcats present will be a puzzle for opposing coaches and front courts to figure out this season.
Arizona suffered a scoreless drought that almost saw them concede the lead and the momentum in the second half. The Wildcats went away from what was working, stopped getting paint touches and were unable to create free throws. Peat led the charge back to control in this game with a pair of jaw dropping slams and the Wildcats were back to creating good offensive looks.
The game nearly slipped away from Lloyd and Arizona in the final moments as they struggled to inbound the ball cleanly on three consecutive attempts. Florida was able to narrow the gap to just three points, but with some clutch free throws from Peat, Arizona shut the door.
What’s next for peat and co.
Arizona’s next game is against Utah Tech on Friday, November 7 at the McKale Center. The game will be televised on TNT and will be Utah Tech’s second game of the season. Tech defeated South Dakota in overtime in their first game. It was Utah Tech’s first win in a season opener in half a decade when they defeated North Dakota 74-73 at home in 2020-21.
This will be a nice come down for Arizona after this high-wire heist in Las Vegas.
For more on Arizona basketball, Koa Peat and more follow the AZ Wildcats Podcast with Damon Fairall & Kevin Thomas.
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