Hold onto your hats, basketball fans, because the Arizona Wildcats are on fire! In a stunning display of dominance, Arizona crushed Abilene Christian 96-62, extending their undefeated streak to 10-0 this season. But here's where it gets even more impressive: this marks the fifth consecutive win by a margin of 20 or more points, a feat Arizona hasn't achieved since the 2010-11 season's opening games. And this is the part most people miss—this 10-game winning streak is the second-longest under head coach Tommy Lloyd, who took the helm before the 2021-22 season. His longest streak? An 11-game winning start to that very season.
From the tip-off, the Wildcats set the pace and never looked back. They shot an impressive 66.7% from the field, building a commanding 20-point lead by halftime. Arizona controlled the game for nearly its entirety, leading for 39:47 and stretching their advantage to a whopping 34 points in the second half. But here's the controversial part: is this Arizona team truly a contender, or are they just benefiting from a weaker schedule? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Freshman Brayden Burries continued his stellar rookie campaign, leading the team with 20 points on an efficient 9-of-11 shooting. Motiejus Krivas added 15 points and seven rebounds, showcasing his dominance inside with a perfect 4-for-4 field goal performance. Ivan Kharchenkov contributed 11 points and five rebounds, and Arizona's depth was on full display with six players scoring in double figures.
The Wildcats' dominance wasn't just on the scoreboard; they owned the paint with a 44-22 advantage and pushed the tempo for 26 fast-break points. Jaden Bradley chipped in 10 points and a team-high seven rebounds, going a perfect 10-for-10 from the free-throw line. Koa Peat added 10 points, five rebounds, and three assists, showcasing the team's balanced attack.
Abilene Christian's Cbo Newton led his team with 17 points, but the Wildcats' defense held the visitors to just 35.7% shooting and limited them to only six made 3-pointers. Arizona took a 51-31 lead into halftime and continued their offensive onslaught in the second half, shooting over 68% after the break. They finished the game with 30 of 45 shots made and a solid 78.9% from the free-throw line, securing the victory in front of 13,092 enthusiastic fans.
As Arizona looks to carry this momentum forward, they face a tough test against San Diego State this Saturday, December 20th, at 8:30 PM MST in Phoenix, AZ. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN 2. Will Arizona continue their dominant run, or will San Diego State prove to be a stumbling block? Share your predictions and join the debate below!
