Arizona Named Co-NCAA National Team of the Week After Impressive Wins
Arizona Wildcats fans have plenty to cheer about this week. Following two significant victories over ranked opponents, Arizona has been named the Co-NCAA National Team of the Week alongside Duke.
The Wildcats showcased their prowess by defeating number 23/22 BYU on Wednesday and then taking down second-ranked Houston on Saturday. These wins were particularly impressive given the absence of key players. Starting forward Koa Peat and reserve Dwayne Aristode were sidelined, with Aristode missing three games due to illness and Peat dealing with a lower-body injury.
Duke also had a stellar week, overcoming Syracuse and then toppling number one Michigan 68-63 in a thrilling match in Washington, D.C. This performance is expected to propel the Blue Devils to the top spot in the upcoming rankings. Last week, Duke was ranked third, while Arizona held the fourth position.
Arizona's victories over BYU (75-68) and Houston (73-66) mark a strong rebound after previous losses to Kansas and Texas Tech. With these wins, the Wildcats improved their record to 25-2. They have a challenging schedule ahead, with games at Baylor, against Kansas, Iowa State, and a trip to Colorado.
Key Performances Drive Arizona's Success
Anthony Dell'Orso was a standout performer, scoring a career-high 22 points against BYU and matching that feat against Houston. Ivan Kharchenkov also shone, averaging 17 points, 8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and a steal per game while shooting an impressive 52.2% from the field. Their contributions were crucial, especially with guard Brayden Burries battling illness and both Tobe Awaka and Motiejus Krivas facing foul trouble in the Houston game.
Despite these challenges, Arizona's depth proved vital, with the team relying on the strength of its rotation to secure these key victories. Head coach Tommy Lloyd is hopeful for the return of Aristode and Peat, potentially as soon as the game against Kansas.
Arizona's recent performances have certainly put the basketball world on notice. As they prepare for the upcoming games, fans can expect the Wildcats to continue their pursuit of excellence on the court.