Jaden Bradley has found his gear-and it’s stuck in overdrive when the second half rolls around. The Arizona senior guard has been clutch in crunch time, and his latest performance against UCF was another reminder of how dangerous he’s become when the game tightens up.
Bradley poured in 23 points in Arizona’s 84-77 road win over UCF, with a staggering 21 of those coming after halftime. That second-half surge didn’t just help the Wildcats dodge an upset-it also earned him a spot on the Big 12’s weekly Starting Five, a nod given to the top performers in the conference.
This isn’t just a one-off for Bradley, either. He’s been trending up in Big 12 play, averaging 15.8 points per game against conference opponents-up from his season average of 14.1.
And when the lights get brighter in the second half, Bradley shines even more, averaging 11.4 points after the break in league games. That’s the kind of production you want from a veteran guard, especially in a conference as competitive as the Big 12.
Bradley becomes the first Arizona player to land in the Big 12’s Starting Five since Brayden Burries lit up Alabama for 28 points back in December. Burries’ breakout earned him the same honor, and it’s part of a growing trend for Arizona, which has seen freshman standout Koa Peat rack up three Big 12 weekly awards of his own-twice as Newcomer of the Week and once as Player of the Week.
Arizona wasn’t the only team with players turning heads. UCF’s Themus Fulks, who went toe-to-toe with Bradley on Saturday, earned his spot in the Starting Five after dropping a career-high 30 points. It was a statement performance, even in a losing effort, and showed just how much firepower UCF has in its backcourt.
Cincinnati’s Baba Miller also made the cut after a big week of his own. The versatile forward averaged a double-double in two wins, including a signature victory over then-No.
2 Iowa State. Miller’s ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor continues to be a major asset for the Bearcats as they navigate the grind of conference play.
But the spotlight this week belongs to Bradley. His ability to elevate his game in the second half isn’t just impressive-it’s becoming a trademark. And if he keeps delivering like this, Arizona’s backcourt might be one of the most dangerous weapons in the Big 12.