Arizona Dominates West Virginia to Stay Perfect at 20-0
The Arizona Wildcats aren’t just winning - they’re steamrolling. With a 88-53 dismantling of West Virginia on Saturday at McKale Center, the Wildcats moved to 20-0 on the season and 7-0 in Big 12 play, continuing a run that’s been defined by control, confidence, and consistency. This latest blowout marks the 13th time in 20 games Arizona has won by 20 points or more - a testament to just how dominant this team has been on both ends of the floor.
From the opening tip, Arizona set the tone. They attacked the rim, crashed the boards, and made West Virginia play catch-up from the jump. The energy inside McKale matched the team’s intensity, and the Wildcats fed off it.
Brayden Burries Leads the Charge
Freshman guard Brayden Burries continues to look like a seasoned vet. He poured in 22 points on an efficient 7-of-12 shooting, went a perfect 4-for-4 from the line, and dished out seven assists to round out a complete performance. Burries has shown a knack for knowing when to take over and when to facilitate, and Saturday was another example of his growing command of the offense.
Anthony Dell’Orso made the most of his 17 minutes off the bench, dropping 12 points - third-highest on the team - and knocking down two of his five attempts from deep. His energy was contagious, and his fast-break layup followed by a corner three in the closing minutes put an exclamation point on Arizona’s dominance.
Frontcourt Physicality: Awaka and Krivas Own the Glass
Tobe Awaka was a force in the paint, pulling down a team-high 14 rebounds and muscling his way to second-chance opportunities. He played with a physical edge that sometimes bordered on too much - a few whistles went against him - but his interior presence was undeniable.
Motiejus Krivas added 12 boards of his own and chipped in offensively with a three-pointer and a dunk that brought the crowd to its feet. The duo’s work on the glass was a major factor in Arizona’s ability to control the tempo.
West Virginia Struggles to Keep Up
West Virginia had trouble finding any rhythm against Arizona’s length and pressure. Chance Moore led the Mountaineers with 12 points, while Honor Huff and Treysen Eaglestaff each added 10. Huff struggled from deep, hitting just 2-of-9 from beyond the arc, and West Virginia never really threatened after falling behind early.
First Half: Wildcats Set the Tone Early
Arizona wasted no time getting on the board. Ivan Kharchenkov and Burries combined for five quick points in the opening 90 seconds, and the Wildcats were off and running. Jaden Bradley’s free throws pushed the lead to 11-4, and Arizona kept the pressure on.
A highlight-reel moment came when Dell’Orso drilled a three to push the lead to 20-8, sending McKale into a frenzy. Burries nearly added to the momentum with a transition three, but Amir Jenkins was there for the offensive rebound, keeping the possession alive.
Koa Peat’s three-pointer gave Arizona a 40-23 lead late in the half, and a fast-break foul on Eaglestaff sent Peat to the line. Just before the buzzer, Dwayne Aristode picked Moore’s pocket and laid it in to cap a dominant first half. Arizona went into the locker room up 43-23.
Second Half: All Gas, No Brakes
Peat opened the second half with a trip to the line, and Kharchenkov continued to make his presence felt on the boards. Arizona extended its lead to 53-27 just four minutes in, prompting a West Virginia timeout.
Even when the Mountaineers managed to create looks - like Eaglestaff’s open three - Arizona answered right back. Burries snagged a rebound off a missed layup and found Peat for a three. Then it was Krivas with a three of his own, followed by a dunk and an assist to Awaka for a layup.
Bradley missed a free throw, but Jenkins grabbed the board, and Awaka turned that into a fast-break layup from Burries. Arizona continued to push the pace, and Peat added another layup off a Bradley assist after Awaka cleaned up a defensive rebound.
Even in the final minutes, Arizona didn’t let up. Dell’Orso forced a turnover and finished a fast-break layup, then hit a three after an Awaka rebound. The Wildcats closed the game with the same energy they started it with - fast, physical, and efficient.
What’s Next
Arizona’s undefeated run will be put to the test on Monday when they travel to face No. 13 BYU.
That matchup tips off at 7 p.m. MST and will be streamed on ESPN.
It’s the start of a challenging stretch for the Wildcats, who will then head to Tempe on Jan. 31 to face Arizona State for the second time this season.
If the Wildcats keep playing like this - dictating pace, owning the glass, and getting contributions up and down the roster - they’ll be tough to beat no matter where they play.