Burries Buries West Virginia: No. 1 Arizona Rolls to 88-53 Rout

[WILD]

Burries Buries West Virginia: No. 1 Arizona Rolls to 88-53 Rout 

In a commanding display at McKale Center, the top-ranked Arizona Wildcats dismantled the West Virginia Mountaineers 88-53 on Saturday afternoon, extending their flawless start to the season. From the opening tip, Arizona set a blistering pace, building a 20-point halftime lead at 43-23 that left little doubt about the outcome. The Wildcats' defense was suffocating, holding West Virginia to just 32% shooting from the field while forcing 18 turnovers that fueled Arizona's transition game. This blowout victory not only kept Arizona undefeated at 20-0 overall and 7-0 in Big 12 play but also showcased their depth and dominance in a conference that's proven tough for newcomers.

Freshman sensation Brayden Burries led the charge for Arizona with a game-high 22 points, including 13 in the first half alone, shooting an efficient 9-of-14 from the field. Koa Peat chipped in 17 points and eight rebounds, providing a strong presence inside, while the team's balanced attack saw four players in double figures. On the other side, West Virginia struggled offensively, with no player reaching 15 points; their leading scorer, Tucker DeVries, managed just 12 on poor shooting. Arizona's rebounding edge (45-28) and 24 points off turnovers highlighted their physical superiority, dropping the Mountaineers to 13-7 overall and 4-3 in conference action in what was a forgettable road trip for them.

Looking ahead, Arizona faces a quick turnaround with a Monday night showdown against BYU in Provo on January 26. The Cougars, sitting at 17-2 and hungry for a signature win, will test the Wildcats' road mettle in a hostile Marriott Center environment. BYU's high-octane offense, led by star forward AJ Dybantsa, averages over 86 points per game, but Arizona's elite defense could be the difference. A win here would push the Cats closer to an unbeaten January and solidify their grip on the Big 12 standings.

[mvpreed2]

I got it out quicker this time!
What Reed Sees: West Virginia edition

Pros
I said it weeks ago, if Burries is able to (consistently) knock down 3PT shots? This offense is now on another level! 3-4 in the 1st half? (++)

Add Burries shooting ability to his ability to attack the basket and setup one of the bigs for an easy bucket? He is literally another Bradley on the floor with his shot-creating ability! (++)

Krivas with 9rebs in the 1st half? He is on double-double watch! (++)
UPDATE: He hit it! 11pts/12rebs

I am REALLY enjoying watching what Burries has been able to do creating for his teammates. It usually goes to Peat, but who cares? A deep-threat wing that is able to hit the midrange, put it on the floor AND create for his teammates? (++)

Hard to have much to complain about when you end the 1st half on a steal and score to go up 20pts (43-23). (++)

That Burries/Peat connection on offense is beginning to be explosive/dynamic. It is almost a highlight waiting to happen! (++)

Cons
Why did you sub out Krivas so early in the game? He was playing well, and he was not in foul trouble.. (-)

Why is Krivas trying to attack the basket OFF THE DRIBBLE from BEHIND the 3PT line? (-)

Krivas, why aren't you dunking the ball? You are 7'1 kid! I need you punch that **** every time you are within 5ft! (-)

I do not like how these wings will get screened and get slow to get back. Yes, Krivas is in drop coverage. That does not mean that you leave him on an island! (-)

Now you have Awaka trying to attack the basket from the 3PT line? His end result was no better than Krivas's were! (-)

Comments
Kharchenkov is still my favorite player on this team lol, BUT Burries is climbing up that list FAST!

The early signs are that West Virginia is going to make Arizona beat them from deep. Can Arizona knock down enough 3PT? 10-23 (43%) I would say they did.

West Virginia should have stayed in that zone. That slowed Arizona's offense. They were in it for one possession, slowed Arizona, and went back to man-to-man? Haha!

I like #52 game from West Virginia. He would be a much better prospect if he were on a better all-around team.

Why has Lloyd been moving Bradley off-ball lately? I noticed it last game when Burries killed. I noticed it today when Dell'Orso damn near turned it over trying to get the ball past half-court!

I thought this game was going to be closer than it actually was.
Arizona is about to go on a tough stretch come February.
One game at a time though.
Next up: BYU
#BearDown

[arxpert]

I said it weeks ago, if Burries is able to (consistently) knock down 3PT shots? This offense is now on another level! 3-4 in the 1st half? (++)

Add Burries shooting ability to his ability to attack the basket and setup one of the bigs for an easy bucket? He is literally another Bradley on the floor with his shot-creating ability! (++)

I notice you are starting to see the Flurries by Burries. He resembles the NBA's Tyrese Maxey to me.

In regards to Krivas, Tommy's teams have always been flawed in what is know as "the standing dunk". That is, no forward momentum to gain those steps needed to "take flight".

Krivas is really just not that guy. But he is surprisingly much better than I expected this year.

I think that Tommy subbed him out in an effort to get the bench loose.

In fact, Awaka has also really surprised me. He upped his level and has become a very dynamic player. He doesn't make every Layup (standing layup for him since no chance can he perform a dunk). But he does fight and he is making a lot of good moves while dribbling to get himself to the rim which surprises me. Someone must have really worked with him on ball handling. Maybe Jason Gardner?

Ivan, the Crimson Dynamo, is a player I need to see prove it @BYU. He is becoming our best defender and he needs to guard the perimeter like crazy vs BYU.

Koa vs AJ is going to be big time, but I also hope Tommy puts pressure on AJ with other players too. Maybe even sneak Koa + Burries in some doubles where Burries can probably close the gap on his man when AJ makes the pass.

Good eye overall on "What Reed Sees". I like 'Reading' the Reed Report. It is like my write ups except probably more optimistic, but also unafraid to call out some of the issues that need to be called out.

Keep doing your thing. This is good for the forum. We cannot rely on the T-CBOX for this type of content.

[mvpreed2]

I notice you are starting to see the Flurries by Burries. He resembles the NBA's Tyrese Maxey to me.

In fact, Awaka has also really surprised me. He upped his level and has become a very dynamic player. He doesn't make every Layup (standing layup for him since no chance can he perform a dunk). But he does fight and he is making a lot of good moves while dribbling to get himself to the rim which surprises me. Someone must have really worked with him on ball handling. Maybe Jason Gardner?

Ivan, the Crimson Dynamo, is a player I need to see prove it @BYU. He is becoming our best defender and he needs to guard the perimeter like crazy vs BYU.

Koa vs AJ is going to be big time, but I also hope Tommy puts pressure on AJ with other players too. Maybe even sneak Koa + Burries in some doubles where Burries can probably close the gap on his man when AJ makes the pass.

Good eye overall on "What Reed Sees". I like 'Reading' the Reed Report. It is like my write ups except probably more optimistic, but also unafraid to call out some of the issues that need to be called out.

Keep doing your thing. This is good for the forum. We cannot rely on the T-CBOX for this type of content.

Yes, this level of play from Burries is what I expected against Florida/UConn and company.
I am happy for him because I know his stock is going up.
It is only going to go higher if he is able to do this against the BYU/Houston/Iowa State/Texas Tech of the Big 12 coming up next month.

Awaka has surprised me too in that he is only 6'9 and yet none of these programs have thought to box him out yet?
They all just stand there and sees who can jump the highest.
He is stronger than 99% of them, so he just barrels into them until he gets his hands on the ball, or fouls them lol.

Kharchenkov could see his stock shoot through the roof if he is able to show up against those other big-named Big 12 programs (BYU/UH/ISU/KU/TTU).
He would put up the most-quiet 12/4/4 game but it would come at the right spots.
His aggressiveness in taking those open shots from deep is another thing I noticed.
He might not be the 2-3 year guy I thought he would be when I first saw him.

I really hope Lloyd does not put Peat on Dybantsa.
I do not believe Peat has the lateral quickness to stay in front of him.
The problem is that BYU runs that 4-Out offense and Keita is the only one in the paint.
I want to see Kharchenkov on him, but there are too many wings to choose from on BYU.
Peat is going to have to guard a true wing out on the perimeter.
I am eager to see how Lloyd tries to scheme that one up.

Much appreciated on the kind words.
What I type is basically exactly what comes to my mind when I watch alone.
I figure since I am already taking mental notes, I might as well write them down and post them.
I am REALLY looking forward to Arizona against those top Big 12 programs.
I expect some losses, but I want to see how well the team and this staff are going to be able to rebound and adjust to it because that is a GAUNTLET to end the season:

at Kansas (2/9)
Texas Tech (2/14)
BYU (2/18)
at Houston (2/21)
at Baylor (2/24)
Kansas (2/28)
Iowa State (3/2)

Good luck boys!
#BearDown