Arizona’s perfect run isn’t just alive-it’s now in the record books.
Behind a composed 21-point performance from Koa Peat and 17 more from fellow freshman Brayden Burries, No. 1 Arizona handled rival Arizona State 87-74 on Saturday, pushing their record to a flawless 22-0. That win doesn’t just keep the Wildcats unbeaten-it makes them the last major program in the country without a loss this season.
Let’s put that into perspective. The Wildcats’ 22-0 start is the best in school history, breaking the mark set by the 2013-14 squad.
It also ties the program’s longest overall winning streak, a run that dates all the way back to 1914-17. And in terms of Big 12 history?
Arizona just matched the best start ever in the conference, equaling Kansas’ 22-0 start from the 1996-97 season. That’s elite company.
And yet, head coach Tommy Lloyd isn’t getting caught up in the numbers. After a tough road stretch, he kept the focus on the grind.
“To win two road games in a week in the Big 12, you feel good,” Lloyd said. “I’m the wrong guy to talk to about that [the streak].”
It’s classic coach-speak, but there’s truth in it. Conference road wins don’t come easy-especially in a league as deep and physical as the Big 12. Arizona had to earn every bit of this one.
The game itself turned in the first half, when the Wildcats ripped off a 13-2 run to take control. The exclamation point came from Peat, who converted a tough layup through contact-drawing blood in the process but staying locked in. That moment summed up the Wildcats’ edge: tough, focused, and unfazed.
Arizona State, meanwhile, continues to struggle. The Sun Devils have now dropped nine of their last 11 and sit at 11-11 overall, 2-7 in conference play. Despite the rivalry intensity, they couldn’t keep up with Arizona’s tempo or talent for long stretches.
For Arizona, the win isn’t just another notch in the belt-it’s a statement. This team isn’t just chasing wins; it’s chasing history. The chemistry between young stars like Peat and Burries, combined with the steady leadership from Lloyd, has created something special in Tucson.
And now, with the spotlight growing brighter and March creeping closer, the Wildcats are officially the team everyone’s watching.