No. 1 Arizona Survives BYU Rally, Secures 86-83 Win in Big 12 Showdown

[WILD]

No. 1 Arizona Survives BYU Rally, Secures 86-83 Win in Big 12 Showdown 

The No. 1 Arizona Wildcats survived a late scare but ultimately held on for an impressive 86-83 road victory over No. 13 BYU on Monday night at the Marriott Center in Provo. The Wildcats, now 21-0 overall and 8-0 in Big 12 play, dominated for most of the contest, building a 19-point lead in the second half before the Cougars mounted a furious comeback. Arizona's balanced attack and clutch free-throw shooting proved to be the difference in a high-energy, top-15 matchup that lived up to the hype, with the Wildcats leading for 79% of the game despite BYU's home-court intensity and a crowd of over 18,000.

Freshman standout Brayden Burries led the way for Arizona with 29 points on 7-of-13 shooting (including 13-of-14 from the free-throw line), adding five rebounds, four assists, three steals, and a crucial block in the final moments to seal the win. Jaden Bradley complemented him with 26 points on 10-of-15 shooting, while the Wildcats shot 53% from the field overall and 81% from the line (26-of-32). BYU was paced by AJ Dybantsa's 24 points, though he struggled with his shot (6-of-24 overall), and the Cougars connected on 13 threes but couldn't overcome Arizona's rebounding edge (39-37) and transition scoring. The Wildcats built their big lead with strong defense and quick scores, but BYU closed the gap with a late 12-4 run, setting up a tense finish.

Next up for Arizona is a crosstown rivalry clash on Saturday, January 31, when they travel to face Arizona State in Tempe at Desert Financial Arena. Tip-off is set for 12pm on TNT. The Sun Devils present a tough challenge in a hostile environment, and with the Wildcats chasing history as one of the program's strongest starts ever, Tommy Lloyd's squad will look to keep their perfect record intact and maintain momentum in Big 12 play.

[arxpert]

I respected the Score here before the Edit. That was the truth in my book. All pundits and anyone Ranking nor keeping score should be treating that nonsense like a 10+ point win.

[Naterade]

Great lesson here in keeping your foot on the gas for Arizona. If felt like BYU got too many great looks from 3 late in the game. But goddam we are deep, Koa made some big plays and Awaka was a goddam brick wall in the second half. My favorite play of the game was Dybantsas head snapping back after trying to go straight at Tobe and finding out that he needs to hit the weight room. Bradley was spectacular and Burries was amazing, which is bittersweet because we only get him for one year.

[arxpert]

Great lesson here in keeping your foot on the gas for Arizona. If felt like BYU got too many great looks from 3 late in the game. But goddam we are deep, Koa made some big plays and Awaka was a goddam brick wall in the second half. My favorite play of the game was Dybantsas head snapping back after trying to go straight at Tobe and finding out that he needs to hit the weight room. Bradley was spectacular and Burries was amazing, which is bittersweet because we only get him for one year.

I think there were way too many shenanigans, but to be able to keep composure on the road and not allow the easy put in at the end was massive. Burries block that is. But Bradley had his hand ALL BALL which if anything is a Jump Ball and our Possession Arrow.

I am confused as to what is challengeable and what isn't because Tommy just allows everything and never gets in ref's faces about anything.

We should not get penalized for the closeness of the score at the end, but I am sure some idiots will think something is fraudulent about us when in reality, we exposed that BYU is fraudulent.

BYU did just about everything they could possibly do correct early on when it was back and forth around 20-20 and such.

That was literally as bad as I have seen us play in a long time. Basically Burries was the only one scoring. Bradley then started getting involved.

Koa is a misunderstood player. Dysbanta is a FT Merchant.

This was a weird game where we couldn't get the ball into Krivas because BYU Hired a G League Center to play somehow and their entire 5-9 on their team is all unskilled Bigs.

So somehow Tobe also improved at the FT line and with dribbling to the point he seems to have confidence taking it into the lane.

Finally The Crimson Dynamo has been basically what Dell Orso isn't. Delly is just not built for Conference Play, but I think he still has a small role overall. Situationally.

Aristode is now starting to become that extra Defender that we really need. Tonight, he was able to help vs AJ Dysbanta big time when the Refs chose to let AJ take half their shots from the stripe at a point.

BYU is decent, but frauds overall. I hope we beat the shit out of them in Tucson and then never have to see them again. Not in the Big12 Tourney and not in March Madness. It is a wonky matchup for us.

Good observations though overall

[mvpreed2]

Here we go!
This was a long one, but I hope you enjoy it.
What Reed Sees: BYU Edition!

Pros
I like seeing Bradley coming out aggressive with a quick 5pts on 2-2 (1-1 3PT) shooting (+). Arizona is going to need to score to keep up with BYU tonight! (+)

Arizona's 3PT shooting could be the difference in this game offensively. Bradley/Burries already have one each. Can Kharchenkov and Dell'Orso get in the mix too? (+)

There you go Dell'Orso! Someone is listening to me! Now tell the rest of your teammates to start taking a charge also! (++)

Bradley/Burries are clearly willing to throw their weight around. I need Peat/Krivas and Awaka to join the party (++)

All signs point to Arizona winning this game on the backs of Bradley/Burries. Those two are playing extremely aggressive, getting downhill, in the paint, and attacking the basket. (++)

Bradley/Burries are playing All-B1G and All-American selections right now! Oh, and they happen to be 36 scouts from 18 NBA teams in attendance at this game. Someone is playing for a NBA roster spot next season! (++)

Can you see why I wanted a wing to be on Dybantsa now? Yes, he is 6'9, but he will be a SF in the NBA. You have to put a SF on him to be able to match his foot speed. Kharchenkov/Aristode have done a much better job than Peat/Awaka have. Good adjustment coach! (++)

Good job to withstand that initial run by BYU to end the half up 44-31. (++)

Good call to open up the 2nd half by slowing the pace and getting the ball to your OTHER 5* prospect coach! (++)

Great job of Peat/Krivas being able to open the 2nd half without picking up their 3rd foul. (++)
UPDATE: As soon as I typed this, Peat got his 3rd foul and got subbed out. Sigh..

I love the adjustment of these boys on defense to wall up, stay vertical, and not leave their feet. They have saved a lot of fouls in this 2nd half by being smart, and not aggressive. (++)

Good job on switching all screens on the perimeter to stop BYU from matchup-hunting. They can't come off the screen while our defenders are trailing or trying to go under the screen. They simply pass him off and position themselves well for the ball-handler coming off the screen. (++)

For Dybantsa to average 23.6 pts/game? That kid is a below-average shooter. You foul-bait to get to the FT line, yet you clang all three of your FTs? (++)

Bradley with the tie up to slow up the game-winning attempt. Burries with the block from behind? This team is resilient and deserves to be the best team in the country (+++)

Cons
I really did not want to see Peat on Dybantsa to start to the game off, but I knew BYU has too many wings and Kharchenkov was going to have to guard someone else. Hold on Koa! You are going on a ride tonight! (-)

Saunders is going to be a problem if Arizona is not able to wrangle him in early! (-)

Krivas is not going to be to throw his weight around like he has been. Keita is BIG big that will throw his weight around also. This is the 1v1 matchup I am looking at the most. If Krivas is able to win that battle? Arizona is going to win. Krivas/Awaka cannot allow Keita to control the paint on both ends of the floor (-)

Now you put Awaka on Dybantsa? Is it possible to go with a small-ball lineup coach? You already lost Awaka with two quick PFs. How long is it going to take? (-)

Peat, you have to take that charge on Saunders! Stop letting them barrel into you! That is an easy foul and TO for Arizona! (-)

Dell'Orso with the air ball? Please do not tell me these boys are nervous. He has not air-mailed a shot all season. Don't start that **** right now Delly. We need you tonight! (-)

Dybantsa has racked up 4 PFs on our two bigs (two each). Lloyd has to make an adjustment before you are without BOTH of them to end this game! (-)

Now you have Peat/Krivas AND Awaka with 2 PFs each! What are you going to do coach? (-)

You cannot come in the paint with those types of shots! Keita will continue to send that into press row! (-)

Stupid dead-ball foul by Awaka. Now you have three PFs. Lucky for you that you come off the bench and Peat/Krivas only have two PFs.

That TO is on you Dell'Orso. If you are going to wave Burries through, you HAVE to wait for him AND his man to clear out before you throw the entry pass! (-)

For Peat to be a good/great of a midrange shooter as he is? There has to be some way for the staff to work on his FT shooting. He can hit the jumper from that same spot during an action. Why can't he make it when he has the time to do so? He just missed three-straight FTs! (-)

Wow! As an official, you can NOT make THAT call right there. To ignored the first foul on BYU to come back to call an offensive? Then you follow that up with the jump ball that should have been another foul on the defense? (-) If Arizona loses this game off of those two calls? I am going to be PISSED! Regardless of the 12-2 run that BYU went on to close this gap. (-)

Comments
Dybantsa is 2nd in the country in scoring at 23.6 pts/gm. Is Arizona going to be able to slow him down enough to get the tough win on the road in Utah?

Arizona is not going to be able to win this game unless Burries is able to continue his play since the start of the new year.

I am very eager to see how many of these foul calls will Dybantsa get when BYU comes to Arizona in a few weeks.

With the last couple of plays from Bradley, Burries was the best prospect on the floor again for the third-straight game. Good job kid! You keep climbing up the ranks...

They won.
That is about as much as I want to say.
They let the officials and BYU back into this game.
That cannot happen again!

Next up: Arizona State!
#BearDown

[Cactus🌵Cat]

Arizona personal fouls 19, BYU 22 @ Provo.

[mvpreed2]

Arizona personal fouls 19, BYU 22 @ Provo.

I would like to know the splits of this in each half.
Arizona was up in the foul count, but that stretch where Dybantsa could not get breathed on without getting a foul, BYU was racking it up for that small stretch in the game.
The 2nd half though Arizona clamped down on their fouls against Dybantsa and BYU as a whole for that foul count to look more acceptable (to me).
#BearDown

[arxpert]

Keita is BIG big that will throw his weight around also.

Keita is kind of like Adem Bona of UCLA in years past. A hard playing PF. Krivas always has trouble with that archetype. Basically like an Awaka.

BYU has a slew of bigs and packed the paint. We really proved that we can play all styles in that game.

[arxpert]

I would like to know the splits of this in each half.

Without looking, it seemed like BYU racked up their Fouls on our Bigs early, but after that we racked up fouls on them. The last 2min was probably in their favor, but a shit show overall.

I think the plan to let AJ do whatever he wanted and throw 5 different defenders on him worked as long as it basically made Richie Saunders have a tough game.

Only reason they were in the game was that Dennard Wilson guy I think that was his name at least. He made basically every 3 down the stretch.

[mvpreed2]

Keita is kind of like Adem Bona of UCLA in years past. A hard playing PF. Krivas always has trouble with that archetype. Basically like an Awaka.

BYU has a slew of bigs and packed the paint. We really proved that we can play all styles in that game.

Yes, he does, but if I am being honest?
There has not been a matchup with a big his size that I believe he won outright.
That bully that Krivas is when you play teams like TCU/Kansas State and the like?
He does not and can not do that against the teams with a big his size like UConn/Florida and those teams.
I really want Krivas to dominate a matchup against a quality big, but he can't.
#BearDown