#1 Arizona Pulls Away Late, Tops ASU 87-74 to Set School-Record 22-0 Start

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No. 1 Arizona Pulls Away Late, Tops ASU 87-74 to Set School-Record 22-0 Start

In a dominant Territorial Cup showdown on Saturday, the No. 1 Arizona Wildcats extended their unbeaten streak with an 87-74 victory over the Arizona State Sun Devils in Tempe. The game stayed close through the first half, ending in a 38-38 tie after a late buzzer-beating three from ASU pulled them even. But Arizona exploded in the second half, outscoring the Sun Devils 49-36 with strong inside play and sharp shooting to pull away comfortably. The win sets a new school record for the best start in program history at 22-0 (9-0 in Big 12 play), while ASU dropped to 11-11 overall and 2-7 in conference. Arizona dominated the boards 47-36 and points in the paint 50-20, turning their physical edge into a decisive advantage.

Freshman standout Koa Peat led the way with a game-high 21 points in his hometown return, delivering efficient scoring against the Sun Devils' defense. Fellow freshman Brayden Burries added 17 points and seven rebounds, while center Motiejus Krivas chipped in 15 points to anchor the frontcourt. Guard Jaden Bradley contributed 10 points, six assists, and four rebounds, helping orchestrate the balanced attack that saw Arizona shoot over 50% from the field overall. Tobe Awaka was a force on the glass with 13 rebounds. For ASU, their efforts fell short despite competitive stretches, as they struggled to match Arizona's depth and second-half surge.

Next up for the Wildcats is a return to McKale Center to face another Big 12 opponent Oklahoma St, with momentum firmly on their side as they chase an undefeated regular season push. The young core continues to gel at the perfect time, setting up what should be another exciting home test in the coming weeks.

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[arxpert]

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https://x.com/big12studios/status/2017721997707387123?t=z6LvXqDZWkuFw9wwM-Rzgg&s=19
https://x.com/TNTSportsUS/status/2017714328779264190?t=z6LvXqDZWkuFw9wwM-Rzgg&s=19

[mvpreed2]

Always good to bring out the brooms against the crosstown rival!
On this ASU episode of "What Reed Sees"..

Pros
You can continue to see the confidence that Burries has been playing with. He is playing like HE is the best prospect on this team. (++)

Going back to my Krivas assessment of wanting him to dominate his matchup? He has gone 1v1 against Diop three times already within the first 4mins of the game! (++) 

I enjoy watching Kharchenkov play on-ball defense. Could it be possible that he be in the running for Big 12 DPOY? (+)

There goes that Burries/Peat connection on offense! Lloyd needs to call that play more often. I would love to see the advanced stats on that to see how effective that action is including the both of them. (++)

There goes the easy plays that I was calling for! Thanks Coach! Lob by Bradley, and an easy dump off from Dell'Orso to Peat. (++)

Good looking shot with a nice arc from Peat. A quick 7pts from the former All-American to get going in the 2nd half. (++)

A quick 6-0 run to open the 2nd half to force Hurley to call a timeout (++)

Krivas again throwing his weight around. 4pts and at least 3rebs to open the 2nd half. Easy bet, but he is on double-double watch!
UPDATE: He ended up with 15pts/4rebs

Listen, I know Burries is gone after this season, but you are starting to see the flashes of why I wanted him to come back and run PG next season. That half-court pass for the assist to Peat in transition? (+++)

Cons
Krivas! If I said it once, I will say it again. You HAVE to dunk the damn ball! You are too big for this lay=up ****! Punch that ****! Had you dunked both of them? You would have 4pts and been at the line for an and-1, but nope! (-)

Hey Peat, do not ever let another rebound go over your head and the 5'10 G snatch the rebound. Please? Thank you! (-)

Peat's shot is too flat. His jumpers are flat. His FTs are flat. At his height, there has to be some level of arc in his shot. There is no room for the ball to hit the rim and possibly bounce in. If it does not go in off the first rim touch? It is a miss (-)

Peat seems like he is pressing too much. I know he played his HS ball not too far from Tempe. I am sure the gym is PACKED with his people, and he wants to put on a show. I believe he is 1-6 FG? Lloyd has to know this and call some easy lob plays to get the easy baskets to calm him down. (-)

Peat with another jumper from deep. I am happy he was able to get it going in the scoring column with so many of his people in attendance. You have to be able to regulate when you go off though kid. That technical foul only gave your squad +1pt on that possession. (-)

Comments
Hurley's offense has always been built around putting the ball in your lead guard's hands and just letting him have free will to shoot/pass.

I made the comment last ASU game about wondering if Arizona would have won that game if it were played in Tempe? Well 25% of the game has been played. Arizona has not gone on their big run (yet?), and ASU is up 17-16.
UPDATE: ASU kept a haymaker in the pocket, but no bueno

Is it me, or does Lloyd seem to draw up plays to get Peat touches early in the 2nd half to get him going if he had a slow 1st half?

Diop protects the rim the way I wish Krivas would. That kid has extension cords for arms. A bright spot for a mid-tier ASU program.

Is the scouting report to sit on Trouet's right hand? Back-to-back post isos for Trouet. Peat sat on his right hand, invited him left, but he forced his way right regardless lol..

Off topic, but I am happy to see college program allow their players to wear non-uniform colored sneakers. I grew up in the Adidas Pro Model era. I would have loved to wear something that was not white/maroon/gold.

Next Up: Oklahoma State
#BearDown