The Arizona Wildcats have earned a share of the Big 12 title with their 23-point win over Kansas, 84-61. Star NBA prospect Darryn Peterson got his, fellow NBA prospect Brayden Burries starred and Arizona’s elite defensive duo of Ivan Kharchenkov and Motiejus Krivas showed why they are beginning to get some draft buzz themselves.
Arizona registered two runs of 15-0 or better in this game. The Wildcats scored 84 points total, 35 of those points came on either their 19-0 run or their 16-0 run. The Wildcats’ dominant defensive unit seemed back at full strength with the addition of Koa Peat and the return of Dwayne Aristode who both missed Arizona’s last three games.
Arizona has now earned a share of their first Big 12 title. In their second year in the conference, the Wildcats have dominated. Arizona is now 14-2 in the Big 12 and hold a multiple-game lead over their competition. Barring a complete collapse, Arizona is taking the Big 12 regular season title.
Below are the current Big 12 standings as of writing this article, per KenPom.
Brayden Burries Outshines Darryn Peterson
All the discussion this NBA draft cycle has been focused on a handful of names, but none of those names have been Brayden Burries. Darryn Peterson, however, is one of those names getting tossed around in the “generational” conversation.
Peterson makes scoring look as easy as frying an egg and that high-level shot making was on full display in Tucson with his 24 points, five rebounds, and three assists on 21 shots. Peterson is tasked with making a lot of shots for a Kansas team that takes a lot of pictures while he has the ball in this hands. Kharchenkov made the future top-three pick work for his buckets and helped hold him to 3-11 shooting in the first half.
Peterson tried to single-handedly will the Jayhawks back into the game with his fundamentally perfect and fluid jump-shot, but was unable to overcome the 16-0 run that followed Kansas cutting the Arizona lead down to just two points.
Burries was part of that run and shined bright in this star-studded matchup. The California product put his full list of skills on tape. His special transition talent, above average rebounding, facilitation capabilities, defense, off-ball offense and his NBA-ready frame were all on display.
He has hovered in the late first-round to late-lottery space in many big boards and mock drafts until recently. Burries’ unbelievable mix of strength, burst, handle and skill have become undeniable. He is a guard that can do a little bit of everything for you at a high level and it is hard to believe that an NBA general manager would let 10-12 picks pass before taking Burries in the upcoming draft.
Burries went off for 20 points, 12 rebounds (team high) and five assists. The impact was everywhere. However, that’s no surprise to those that have been watching his ascent since the beginning of the season.
Arizona “Fully Loaded”
Arizona has not been healthy for some time now. Peat and Aristode both missed the Wildcats’ last three games with a lower leg strain and illness respectively. Peat’s absence was believed to be a death-blow to Arizona’s chances at winning on the road against Houston. Not only did Arizona defeat BYU and Baylor without Peat or Aristode, the Cats also took down Houston in an improbable victory without one of their top-10 recruits.
Peat’s time out of the lineup in combination with Aristode’s left Tommy Lloyd’s rotation a little light. The players seemed to be visibly tired towards the end of the Baylor performance. The boost of energy Peat has injected was needed.
It’s not just Peat’s energy and motor that help Arizona, it’s his offensive and defensive impact as well. The home-state product makes all of his teammates lives easier with the way he can handle a double team on one end and then switch on to defending a shooting guard on the other end.
Can The Cats Take The Big 12 Title?
Iowa State is up next for Arizona. It will be senior night and Iowa State will be coming off a blowout loss to Texas Tech (without JT Toppin) on their home floor. Arizona has proven to be a top team in the country and Iowa State does not seem to be the same team away from their raucous home environment.
This matchup with Big 12 glory at stake will take place Monday night at 7:00 p.m. MST on ESPN. To keep up with the Wildcats and for everything Arizona athletics, make sure to tune into the AZ Wildcats Podcast with Damon Fairall and Kevin Thomas.
