Big Monday Showdown: BYU Looks to Hand #1 Arizona Its First Loss in a Clash of Big 12 Heavyweights
The Big 12 schedule is already delivering marquee matchups, and Monday night’s showdown between #13 BYU and undefeated #1 Arizona might be the biggest one yet. Both teams come in hot-BYU at 17-2, Arizona a perfect 20-0-and the Marriott Center is sure to be rocking as the Cougars look to pull off the upset and hand the Wildcats their first loss of the season.
Here’s what makes Arizona such a tough out, and what BYU will need to do to knock off the nation’s top-ranked team.
Arizona’s Offense: Relentless in the Paint, Ruthless at the Line
Arizona’s offensive identity is clear: dominate the paint and live at the free-throw line. Over 57% of the Wildcats’ points come from inside the arc, thanks to a frontcourt that can score in bunches and guards who have no problem getting downhill. They’re not just drawing contact-they’re converting, often making more free throws than their opponents even attempt.
This isn’t a team that relies on volume shooting from deep. Instead, they lean on physicality, spacing, and high-percentage looks around the rim. It’s old-school basketball with modern pace and spacing, and so far, it’s been borderline unstoppable.
Defensive Identity: Rim Protection Meets Perimeter Pressure
Defensively, Arizona has quietly been locking teams down. In back-to-back games, they’ve held opponents under 60 points and 35% shooting-something they haven’t done in three years. That kind of consistency starts with discipline: they defend without fouling and trust their rim protector, Motiejus Krivas, to clean up anything that gets past the first line of defense.
Krivas’ presence gives Arizona’s guards the green light to pressure the perimeter more aggressively. If they get beat off the dribble, they know there’s a 7-footer waiting at the rim. That freedom has helped the Wildcats tighten the screws on opposing backcourts and force teams into tough, contested shots.
Three-Point Shooting: Not a Strength, But Not a Liability-Yet
Arizona doesn’t shoot a ton of threes, and that’s by design. But when teams sag off to clog the paint, the Wildcats have shown they can make them pay. Case in point: their recent 10-for-23 performance from beyond the arc against West Virginia.
Still, the lack of consistent perimeter shooting could become a concern if a team manages to wall off the paint and force Arizona into a jump-shooting contest. So far, no one’s pulled that off. But it’s a potential vulnerability, especially on the road in a hostile environment like Provo.
What Can BYU Do to Disrupt Arizona’s Flow?
This is where things get interesting. BYU’s offense is balanced, with three players averaging over 12 shots per game. That kind of scoring distribution makes it a “pick your poison” situation for opposing defenses-and Arizona hasn’t faced many teams this season with that kind of firepower across the board.
If BYU can force Arizona’s frontcourt into foul trouble, it could open up the paint and stretch the defense in ways the Wildcats haven’t had to deal with yet. And if one of BYU’s top scorers gets hot early, it could shift the momentum in a hurry.
Arizona’s X-Factor: Jaden Bradley, the Closer
While Arizona has been getting contributions from up and down the roster-seven different players have scored 20 or more in a game, and eight have led the team in scoring-there’s one name to circle in crunch time: Jaden Bradley.
The senior guard has emerged as Arizona’s go-to guy in the second half of tight games. In their last two Big 12 road matchups, Bradley dropped 17 and 21 after halftime, showing a knack for stepping up when the pressure mounts. If Monday’s game comes down to the wire, don’t be surprised if the ball ends up in his hands.
Could BYU-Arizona Become a Rivalry?
It’s early, but the ingredients are there. Arizona doesn’t have a true basketball rival in the Big 12 just yet.
Arizona State has been inconsistent, and neither Colorado nor Utah has been able to match the Wildcats’ level. BYU, with its passionate fan base, high-level program, and regional proximity, might just be the perfect candidate to fill that void.
If this game delivers the kind of fireworks it’s capable of, we might be witnessing the birth of a new Big 12 rivalry.
Prediction: A Heavyweight Battle in Provo
Arizona has already survived a brutal nonconference slate, racking up five wins over ranked teams. They’ve proven they can win on the road and in tough environments.
But this game? This one feels different.
BYU’s offensive versatility, the home-court edge, and the potential for foul trouble in Arizona’s frontcourt could tilt the scales. If the Cougars can control tempo and keep the Wildcats from dominating the paint, they’ve got a real shot.
Final call? BYU hands Arizona its first loss of the season in a thriller: 85-80.