In a high-stakes showdown in Provo, it wasn’t just the scoring of Brayden Burries and Jaden Bradley that kept Arizona undefeated - it was their defense, in the game’s most critical moment, that sealed the deal.
With Arizona clinging to a one-point lead and the clock ticking under 10 seconds, BYU had the ball and momentum. Robert Wright III made a strong push downhill, looking to finish at the rim.
Bradley stuck with him stride for stride, forcing a tough, spinning attempt. That’s when Burries came flying in from the weak side, timing his rotation perfectly to swat the shot away - a game-saving block that echoed louder than any of his buckets.
“My teammates had my back the whole year,” Burries told ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt after the game. “That was the least I could do - help my teammate, help my brother and block that shot.”
Burries was fouled after the block, calmly knocked down two free throws, and Arizona escaped with an 86-83 win. The Wildcats are now 21-0 and still sitting atop the college basketball world as the No. 1 team in the country.
This one had the makings of a blowout early. Arizona built a 19-point lead in the second half, but BYU wouldn’t go quietly.
The Cougars clawed all the way back into it, setting up that dramatic final sequence. But when it came down to it, Arizona’s backcourt stars rose to the moment - again.
Burries and Bradley were sensational on both ends. Burries, the freshman phenom, poured in 29 points to go with 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks - including the one that mattered most.
Bradley, the seasoned fourth-year guard, added 26 points, 3 boards, 3 assists, and 2 steals of his own. Together, they were surgical: 20-for-31 from the field, 4-for-6 from deep, and 17-for-19 at the line.
That’s elite efficiency, and it’s coming from two guys who are equally dangerous with the ball and without it. Bradley brings the poise of a veteran, the kind of player who’s been through the fire and knows how to manage a game.
Burries? He’s electric - a freshman who plays with the swagger of someone who’s already been there.
When you’ve got one of those guys, you’re in good shape. When you’ve got both?
You’re a national title threat.
Even with Koa Peat held to just 10 points in a highly anticipated freshman battle with AJ Dybantsa (who finished with 24), Arizona didn’t miss a beat. That’s the beauty of having elite guard play - it travels, it steadies you, and it wins games in March. Or in this case, January, in a tough road environment.
Arizona’s formula is clear: two elite guards who can score, defend, and lead. That’s how you win in college basketball.
And right now, no one’s doing it better than the Wildcats. They’re not just winning - they’re building something that looks championship-worthy.