The Arizona Wildcats showcased their status as a national title contender by defeating the BYU Cougars 86-83 on Monday night. The Wildcats, now 21-0, matched the best start in program history and remain one of three undefeated teams this season.
Freshman standout Brayden Burries delivered a career-high 29 points for Arizona, but his most critical contribution came defensively. In the game”s final moments, with Arizona clinging to a one-point lead, Burries blocked a potential game-winning shot from BYU”s Robert Wright III. He then secured the rebound and calmly converted two free throws to seal the victory.
“It felt great. My teammates had my back this whole year, honestly, and that was the least I could do,” Burries said in an interview with ESPN”s Scott Van Pelt. “Help my teammates, help my brothers, block the shot, get the rebound and finish with two free throws.”
Despite leading by as many as 19 points in the second half, Arizona faced a fierce comeback from BYU. The Cougars, who were down by 11 with less than 90 seconds remaining, mounted a 12-2 run, putting them in position to steal the game. However, Burries” late heroics extinguished their hopes.
AJ Dybantsa emerged as a key player for BYU, scoring a team-high 24 points. He was part of a formidable trio, including Wright and Richie Saunders, that created significant matchup challenges for Arizona. Dybantsa”s points came hard-earned, as he managed to convert just 6 of 24 shots from the field, with 11 points coming from the free-throw line.
Even as Arizona faced difficulties late in the game, the performance reinforced their reputation as a top contender. Senior point guard Jaden Bradley supported Burries with 26 points, showcasing Arizona”s depth and versatility. While Koa Peat, another talented freshman, struggled with foul trouble, the team maintained its rhythm through effective ball movement and solid defense.
Post-game, head coach Tommy Lloyd acknowledged the need for improvement. “There”s going to be some games that come down to one stop,” he noted. “We haven”t been in a lot of them, so it was great to experience that.” Arizona currently leads the Big 12 at 8-0 in conference play, standing alone at the top of the league.
In the coming weeks, Arizona faces a challenging schedule, including a rivalry game against Arizona State and a home match against Oklahoma State. These contests will test the Wildcats as they prepare for a crucial stretch featuring games against formidable opponents.
