Arizona Wildcats Stay Perfect with Gritty Win at BYU, Eyes on Big 12 Gauntlet Ahead
The Arizona Wildcats are still perfect - 21-0 and counting - but Monday night in Provo served up a reminder that even the nation’s top team can get pushed to the brink.
Facing No. 13 BYU on the road, Arizona built a comfortable double-digit lead before things got dicey late.
Some sloppy play opened the door for the Cougars, and the officiating didn’t exactly do the Wildcats any favors either. But when the game tightened, Brayden Burries stepped up and delivered the kind of clutch performance championship teams rely on.
Arizona held on, escaped with the win, and left Provo with another quality victory on the résumé.
And let’s be clear - this wasn’t just another win. Beating a tough, well-coached BYU squad in their own building is no small feat. It’s the kind of game that tests your resolve, sharpens your edges, and reminds you that nothing comes easy in the Big 12.
21-0 and Climbing
At 8-0 in conference play, Arizona is proving it’s not just the best team in the country - it’s the most battle-tested. They’ve already taken down Florida, UCLA, UConn, and Alabama in non-conference action. And now, with BYU in the rearview mirror, they’re about to hit the most demanding stretch of their schedule.
Ten Big 12 games remain. Five of them are against ranked opponents. Here's what’s ahead:
- @ No. 14 Kansas - Feb.
9
- **vs No.
11 Texas Tech** - Feb. 14
- vs No. 13 BYU (again) - Feb.
18
- **@ No.
10 Houston** - Feb. 21
- vs No. 14 Kansas (again) - Feb.
28
- **vs No.
8 Iowa State** - March 2
That’s a gauntlet. And yet, Arizona looks like a team built to run through it.
The Big 12: No Nights Off
This conference doesn’t hand out freebies. Kansas might not be the powerhouse of years past, but Allen Fieldhouse is still one of the toughest places to play in college basketball.
Texas Tech is surging, fresh off wins over Houston and BYU. And don’t forget, BYU will be coming to Tucson with revenge on its mind.
Houston is a defensive juggernaut, and Iowa State - at least on paper - might be the biggest threat Arizona will face before March. But the Wildcats have handled the Cyclones before, and if you’re an Arizona fan, you probably still remember that Caleb Love dagger from a couple years back.
Still, it’s not just the ranked opponents who can cause problems. Arizona’s next game is a rivalry matchup at Arizona State - and the Sun Devils gave the Wildcats a serious scare in their last meeting. In this league, you can’t afford to look past anyone.
Chasing Perfection
An undefeated season? It’s rare.
It’s incredibly difficult. But it’s not out of the question.
No one’s predicting a 31-0 finish, but this team has the depth, the talent, and the coaching to make it a real conversation. And regardless of how the regular season wraps up, one thing’s for sure - Arizona is must-watch basketball right now.
Quick Hits Around Arizona Sports
Coaching Carousel Continues in the Desert
The Arizona Cardinals still don’t have a head coach, and the search is dragging on. Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur reportedly completed a multi-day interview that was supposed to wrap up yesterday, but as of now, there’s no official word.
Meanwhile, Jaguars defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile - believed to be a top candidate - has agreed to return to Jacksonville. That narrows Arizona’s options, and if they can’t lock down LaFleur, the search may take another unexpected turn.
Ron Rivera also interviewed with the Cardinals, though that meeting reportedly happened some time ago and doesn’t appear to be leading anywhere at this point.
Bottom line: the Cardinals are still in limbo. And with key coaching hires happening around the league, time is becoming a factor.
Suns Outlast Nets Without Key Stars
No Devin Booker. No Jalen Green.
No Collin Gillespie. No problem.
The Phoenix Suns found a way to grind out a 106-102 win over the Brooklyn Nets last night, improving to 28-19 on the season. Mark Williams was the standout, pouring in 27 points on an efficient 13-of-16 shooting night. In a game where offense was hard to come by, Williams was the steady hand Phoenix needed.
The Suns now look ahead to a tough stretch, but wins like this - short-handed, on the road - are the kind that build confidence and chemistry.
Up Next
For Arizona basketball, the road doesn’t get easier - but that’s part of what makes this run so compelling. Every game is a test.
Every win adds to the legacy. And with March creeping closer, the Wildcats are starting to look like a team that could make history.
Stay tuned. This ride’s just getting good.