The stakes are climbing fast for Tuesday’s clash between Arizona and BYU - but both teams are heading into the matchup with some serious personnel questions.
For BYU, the news couldn’t be more gut-wrenching: guard Richie Saunders is done for the season after tearing his ACL in Saturday’s win over Colorado. A key cog in the Cougars’ offensive engine, Saunders was averaging 18.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.7 steals per game, all while shooting a highly efficient 48.9% from the field and nearly 38% from deep. Simply put, he was one of the most reliable two-way players in college basketball this season - and losing him now is a massive blow to BYU’s tournament hopes and overall trajectory.
This isn’t just about stats - it’s about the rhythm and chemistry he brought to the floor. Saunders wasn’t just producing; he was doing it in big moments.
In last month’s narrow 86-83 loss to Arizona, Saunders was arguably BYU’s most efficient weapon. He dropped 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting, including 3-of-7 from beyond the arc, and added nine rebounds, two assists, and a steal.
That kind of all-around performance doesn’t just show up in the box score - it sets the tone for the entire team.
Now, BYU will lean even more heavily on its other top scorers: freshman phenom A.J. Dybantsa and Baylor transfer Robert Wright III.
Dybantsa has been electric all season, averaging 24.4 points per game, while Wright III isn’t far behind at 18.7. Both have the ability to take over a game, but Saunders’ absence means defenses can key in on them more aggressively.
That’s where the Cougars will need someone like Kennard Davis to step up. Davis, the team’s third-leading scorer at 7.2 points per game, had a breakout showing in the previous Arizona matchup, scoring 15 points on 5-of-8 shooting - all from three-point range.
If Davis can carry that confidence into Tuesday, he could be a critical X-factor.
On the Arizona side, head coach Tommy Lloyd is dealing with his own lineup uncertainty. Forwards Dwayne Aristode and Koa Peat are both questionable for the game, and their availability could significantly impact the Wildcats’ rotation.
If neither is able to go, expect to see Tobe Awaka step into a larger role. Awaka started the second half in Arizona’s last outing and logged 18 minutes plus all of overtime, showing Lloyd’s trust in his physical presence and rebounding ability.
Awaka held his own in the last meeting with BYU, finishing with nine points and seven rebounds in 21 minutes. If he starts in place of Peat, that likely pushes Anthony Dell'Orso into the sixth-man role. Dell'Orso struggled in the earlier matchup, going scoreless on three shot attempts, but he’s had flashes throughout the season and could be due for a bounce-back.
As for Peat and Aristode, their potential absence would leave a notable hole. Peat contributed 10 points and three rebounds in the first BYU game, while Aristode went scoreless in 15 minutes but remains a key piece of Arizona’s defensive schemes and wing depth.
With both teams facing lineup shakeups and the memory of a tightly contested battle just weeks ago still fresh, Tuesday’s rematch is shaping up to be a test of depth, resilience, and adaptability. Arizona’s system under Lloyd is built to handle adversity, but BYU’s high-octane scoring trio - now a duo - will be out to prove they’ve still got enough firepower to pull off a statement win.
One thing’s for sure: this game won’t be lacking in drama.