Imagine walking into a stadium, every seat adorned with a mysterious poster bearing a giant '3'. That's exactly what Arizona fans experienced at McKale Center on a late Saturday morning, a subtle yet powerful foreshadowing of the Wildcats' game strategy. But here's where it gets even more thrilling: Arizona's men’s basketball team didn't just win—they dominated, extending their undefeated streak to a jaw-dropping 20-0 with an 88-53 victory over West Virginia. This win puts them on the cusp of matching their best-ever start, a record set in the 2013-14 season when they won their first 21 games. And this is the part most people miss—it wasn't just about the win; it was about how they won.
The Wildcats rained down 10 three-pointers, the most in a Big 12 game this season, showcasing a lethal combination of precision and power. Brayden Burries led the charge with 22 points, marking his sixth 20-point game of the season. Motiejus Krivas continued his impressive streak with his third double-double in six games, tallying 11 points and 12 rebounds. Koa Peat chipped in with 17 points and 7 rebounds, while Tobe Awaka dominated the boards with 14 rebounds. Anthony Dell’Orso, who had struggled in recent games, broke out with 12 points, including a crucial three-pointer that snapped his field goal drought.
Here’s the controversial part: Arizona’s 52.5% shooting performance came against a West Virginia team that had been holding opponents to just 40.7% from the field. The Wildcats’ ability to not only score but to do so efficiently against such a stingy defense raises questions about whether this team is truly unstoppable. Six different players hit threes, with Burries leading the way by going 4-for-8 from beyond the arc. Meanwhile, West Virginia shot a mere 34.4%, the second consecutive opponent Arizona has held under 60 points and 35% shooting—a feat they hadn’t achieved since January 2023.
The game was never in doubt after halftime. Arizona led 43-23 at the break and quickly extended their lead, forcing West Virginia coach Ross Hodge to call his fourth timeout just three minutes into the second half. A 7-0 run pushed the Wildcats’ lead to 60-32, and Krivas’s eighth three-pointer of the game sealed the deal. West Virginia’s best stretch came late in the game, but by then, it was too little, too late. Arizona’s 13-0 run, fueled by Dell’Orso’s seven straight points, pushed the lead past 35 points with under two minutes remaining.
The Wildcats started the game on fire, making their first four shots, including two threes from Burries, who scored 10 points in the first seven minutes. Dell’Orso’s three-pointer, which ended his 0-for-15 slump, gave Arizona a 20-8 lead with 12:17 left in the first half. In contrast, West Virginia struggled early, starting 4-for-18 from the field and not hitting their first three until over 10 minutes into the game. The Mountaineers briefly cut the deficit to 22-14, but Arizona responded with two 7-0 runs, capped by Peat’s three-pointer, to take a commanding 40-21 lead with 2:01 left in the half.
Now, Arizona hits the road for their next two games, starting with a Big Monday showdown against No. 13 BYU. This is the first of seven remaining games against ranked Big 12 opponents, and it’s here that the Wildcats will truly be tested. But the question remains: Can anyone stop this Arizona team? Or will they continue to dominate, rewriting the record books along the way? Let us know what you think in the comments—is this Arizona squad the real deal, or is there a chink in their armor waiting to be exposed?
