The landscape of college basketball shifted dramatically this past week, with a wave of previously undefeated teams finally tasting defeat. Now, all eyes turn to top-ranked Arizona, one of the last unblemished squads standing, as the Wildcats head to Orlando for a Saturday showdown with UCF.
Arizona enters the weekend at a perfect 17-0 (4-0 Big 12), standing tall alongside No. 8 Nebraska and unranked Miami (Ohio) as the only remaining unbeaten programs in Division I.
That list has been cut in half in just a matter of days - No. 2 Iowa State fell to Kansas on Tuesday, No.
4 Michigan dropped one over the weekend, and No. 10 Vanderbilt stumbled on Wednesday.
The message is clear: staying perfect in mid-January is no small feat.
The Wildcats are fully aware of the target on their backs. They’re not just playing to win - they’re playing to defend a spotless record that grows more valuable with each passing game.
Wednesday’s rivalry win over Arizona State was a gritty, high-scoring battle that showcased the Wildcats’ resilience and depth. Arizona pulled out an 89-82 victory behind a breakout performance from senior forward Tobe Awaka, who poured in a career-high 25 points. The 6-foot-8 veteran, now in his second year in Tucson after transferring from Tennessee, has developed into a key contributor on both ends of the floor.
Awaka is flirting with a double-double average on the season - 10.8 points on nearly 60 percent shooting, paired with 9.8 rebounds per game. His growth hasn’t gone unnoticed by head coach Tommy Lloyd.
“Tremendous,” Lloyd said when asked about Awaka’s development. “I was talking to Coach Ken [Nakagawa] about it today - just how much better he's gotten is really impressive. That’s what happens when you’ve got a high-character, intelligent, talented player.”
But it’s not just Awaka. Arizona’s identity this season has been built on depth, balance, and a refusal to take any opponent lightly. Five players are averaging double figures, led by freshman standout Koa Peat (15.3 points per game), followed by Brayden Burries (14.1), Jaden Bradley (13.5), Awaka, and 7-foot center Motiejus Krivas (10.6).
After the win over Arizona State, Lloyd emphasized that his team doesn’t carry themselves with entitlement.
“We don’t have hubris,” he said. “We don’t expect these games to come easy.
I really appreciate the battle tonight. I appreciate the competition.
I probably would have been OK if we would have lost. So yeah, I learned that our guys are here for it.
You put them in tough situations, they’re not afraid to make plays and find a way in a really tough game.”
Saturday’s matchup won’t be a walk in the park. UCF, now in its third season as a Big 12 member, has proven it can rise to the occasion - especially at home.
The Knights (14-2, 3-1 Big 12) have already made a habit of pulling off big-time upsets in front of their home crowd. Last season, they knocked off then-No.
13 Texas A&M in their home opener. This year, they raised the bar by stunning No.
3 Kansas 65-60 in their first-ever Big 12 home game.
Coach Johnny Dawkins’ group is coming off another impressive showing - an 82-73 road win over Kansas State on Wednesday. The Knights jumped out to a 14-point halftime lead and held off a second-half surge to secure their second straight win.
“Ultimately, it comes down to how you defend and rebound on the road,” Dawkins said afterward. “Our guys stood strong down the stretch and made the plays we needed to win.”
UCF’s backcourt has been driving the charge. Riley Kugel, averaging 14.8 points per game, dropped 19 against Kansas State - his fifth straight game in double figures.
Themus Fulks continued his strong play as well, scoring 13 and dishing out 12 assists for the second consecutive contest. Forward Jamichael Stillwell added 18 points, pushing his season average to 12.7.
Dawkins is keeping his team focused, knowing the grind of the Big 12 doesn’t allow for much time to celebrate.
“We’ll celebrate this one for about two hours, but then it’s on to Arizona,” he said. “Quick turnaround, another great opponent, and another opportunity to grow.”
That growth will be tested in a big way Saturday. Arizona has the size, depth, and experience to wear teams down - but UCF’s physicality and confidence at home make them a dangerous matchup. The Wildcats may be perfect on paper, but the Knights have already shown they know how to ruin a party.
One thing’s for sure: if Arizona wants to keep its undefeated run alive, they’ll have to earn it in Orlando.