The Arizona Wildcats are ranked number one in the AP poll and that will likely not be changing after this 96-75 beating of the Alabama Crimson Tide. Arizona took over Birmingham, Alabama and even got some chants of “U of A! U of A! U of A!” by the end of the night in enemy territory.
Wildcats guard Brayden Burries had his official breakout performance in this game as he tallied season highs in points, three pointers made, field goals made and rebounds. The record-breaking win cemented the Wildcats’ status as a team to be reckoned with not only in the Big 12 but in the overall college basketball landscape.
History in the making
Arizona is on some sort of magical non-conference run. Tommy Lloyd’s group became the first team in the history of the AP Poll to beat five ranked teams in its first nine games. A historically tough schedule has turned into a historically successful stretch of play for them. Koa Peat became the only freshman in the country to post 18 points, five assists and zero turnovers in a win over a Top-25 team this season when he completed that mark against Auburn last time out.
Lloyd continues to rack up firsts and records but none of it matters if the success does not follow in the spring. Fans are seeing this level of play and are beginning to feel like it’s Final Four or bust. The Wildcats have the coaching and the personnel to keep up this hot run of play, but can they do so despite being in a tough Big 12 Conference?
The Burries Breakout Game
Freshman Brayden Burries has had a rough start to the season but is starting to become more acclimated to the college game. Prior to the Alabama matchup, Burries’ most recent performances were very encouraging and the young five-star began to show signs of the player fans believed he could be.
Against the Crimson Tide, Burries had his breakout moment, dropping 28 points, collecting seven rebounds and dishing two assists. His impact was loud in this game hitting multiple big perimeter shots and completing a highlight reel lob to Tobe Awaka.
Arizona is the number-one-ranked team, undefeated and has seemingly only just unlocked their five-star combo guard. It seems the ceiling of this Arizona team can only be decided by the Wildcats themselves.
Battered and Bruised
Arizona’s identity this season has been its unique mix of skill, size and strength. The Wildcats have flexed that muscle against every ranked opponent thus far, carrying an average rebounding margin of 11 rebounds per game versus those opponents. Arizona out-rebounded Alabama, Auburn and UConn by a combined 46 rebounds. Between Awaka, Peat and Mo Krivas, there may be no other team in America that can match that mix of size, strength, skill, speed and basketball IQ.
The physical edge Arizona has over its opponents is a big reason the Cats are undefeated. Against Alabama, Arizona was able to secure 19 more offensive rebounds than the Tide. That discrepancy generated 13 more second-chance points for Arizona than it did for Alabama. That is, to an extent, the difference in the game right there. Arizona was able to enforce its play style on Alabama via the Cats’ dominance on the glass and physicality down low.
What’s next for Arizona?
This wagon that is the Arizona Wildcats will return to Tucson and take on Abilene Christian in a battle of the Wildcats. Abilene Christian is 7-3 at the time of writing this article and is the first-place team in the WAC. Abilene Christian will take on another ranked Big 12 team when the face BYU after their trip to Tucson.
After Abilene Christian, Peat and company will face San Diego State in Phoenix, Arizona in what is sure to be an entertaining game.
For more on the Alabama game and upcoming Arizona basketball games make sure to tune into the AZ Wildcats Podcast featuring Damon Fairall and Kevin Thomas.
