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Arizona's Depth on Display in BIG12 opener, beating Utah 97-78

In a commanding performance to open Big 12 conference play, Arizona earned a 97–78 road victory over Utah at the Jon M. Huntsman Center. The Wildcats improved to 14–0 overall and 1–0 in conference play, controlling the game from the opening minutes. Arizona shot better than 53 percent from the field and built a 58–39 halftime lead, using pace and ball movement to keep Utah on its heels for most of the afternoon.

Arizona's depth was on full display, with five players scoring in double figures. Tobe Awaka and Jaden Bradley led the Wildcats with 18 points each, and Awaka added 12 rebounds to record a double-double. Arizona also dominated the glass and turned defense into offense, forcing 12 Utah turnovers and recording 11 steals. Utah was paced by Terrence Brown's 26 points, but the Utes struggled to consistently slow Arizona's balanced attack.

Arizona now returns home for its next game against Kansas State, continuing its early Big 12 schedule. The matchup will be another important test as the Wildcats look to stay unbeaten and build momentum in conference play. With Arizona's efficiency on offense and growing defensive pressure, the Wildcats will aim to protect home court and keep pace in a highly competitive Big 12 race.

I started watching this game late, and was half-sleep through most of it.
It might be too early of a leap to jump off of, but this team is constructed well enough to win 30 games as long as they lock in and win the games they are supposed to.
#9 Houston just struggled to beat Cincinnati on the road.
#17 Kansas struggled and lost to 11-1 UCF on the road as well.
Yet #1 Arizona went on the road and smashed Utah by 19pts.

I know Lloyd has to do a better job with the subs though.
Why in the hell are you putting them in the game with less than a minute to go?
You put them in when there is less than 5mins to go so they get some real burn.
If the other team puts a dent in the lead, you could bring the thoroughbreds back in.
I would not have wanted to go in that game at all!
#BearDown

Utah scores at a rapid pace, especially at home (where they averaged 88 PPG prior to yesterday). If we throw in the subs with 5 minutes, the Utes could have realistically started a comeback.

Houston's offense is significantly better than last season. They aren't consistent but with four teams in the Top-10 and a conference without one "awful" team, the Big-12 is dangerous and anything could happen.

Arizona will lose a handful of games but we have a mix of experience and talent that could possibly take us back to the Final Four (for the first time in 25 years).

Good game against a solid road opponent!