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21-0.
In one of the vital anticipated video games of the school hoops season, No. 1 Arizona escaped Provo by the pores and skin of its enamel with an 86-83 win over potential prime decide AJ Dybantsa and No. 13 BYU on Monday.
The Wildcats had been led by an electrical efficiency by backcourt duo freshman Brayden Burries and senior Jaden Bradley, who mixed for 55 of Arizona’s 86-point whole. Bradley scored 26 factors on an environment friendly 10-of-15 from the sphere general, making 2-of-3 makes an attempt from 3-point vary whereas additionally grabbing three rebounds and dishing a trio of assists. Burries led the Wildcats with 29 factors on 7-of-13 taking pictures, along with making a game-saving block on protection within the closing moments.
Brayden Burries & Jaden Bradley had been INSTRUMENTAL in Arizona’s win over BYU 💯
Burries: 29 PTSBradley: 26 PTS pic.twitter.com/OCcWLAenBy
— NCAA March Insanity (@MarchMadnessMBB) January 27, 2026
Trailing by 11 factors with 1:22 remaining, BYU went on a 12-2 run to trim Arizona’s result in a single level with 16 seconds left. With an opportunity to win on the ultimate possession after a collection of Arizona gaffes, BYU guard Robert Wright III’s go-ahead layup try was swatted away by Burries with three seconds left.
“I did not suppose it was gonna get to that time, nevertheless it did,” Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd mentioned. “Brayden got here up with a big-time defensive play, received the rebound, and made two free throws. We have been speaking lots, going again to this summer season, about how there’s going to be some video games that come right down to getting one cease. We’ve not been in loads of them, so it was nice to expertise that and have it come out our approach.”
Off Evening For AJ
It was an attention-grabbing resolution to not flip to Dybantsa with the prospect to beat one of the best crew within the nation, particularly given the dramatic shift in momentum that had simply occurred within the earlier 70 seconds. The freshman phenom had a tough night time, tallying 24 factors on a strugglesome 6-of-24 from the sphere whereas making simply 1-of-8 of his 3-point makes an attempt. First crew All-Large 12 guard Richie Saunders scored 17 factors on a a lot cleaner 7-of-11 general, making 3-of-7 makes an attempt from deep.
BRAYDEN BURRIES BLOCKS THE POTENTIAL BYU GAME-WINNER 😳
ARIZONA ESCAPES UNDEFEATED 🔥 pic.twitter.com/y9CJev1oej
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 27, 2026
“Rob simply made play to get to the rim,” Dybantsa mentioned. “I feel Bradley thought he was going to attempt to bump him and held the ball robust. Ref mentioned it was a clear block. I feel it was alternative. I feel the best way we fought was just a little bit higher, and I am simply comfortable the best way we fought.”
Regardless of being held with no area aim for the ultimate 3:04, Arizona retains its unbeaten document intact on the identical day it topped the AP ballot for a seventh straight week and did so unanimously for a second straight. The very fact the Wildcats had been in a position to hold on late was largely due to the cushion constructed by Burries and Bradley within the first 38 and a half minutes. Freshman star Koa Peat of Arizona wasn’t all that a lot of an element, scoring 10 factors on 4-of-8 taking pictures.
Arizona has moved as much as No. 1 in KenPom and NET. pic.twitter.com/ZpgEuwee37
— Shane Dale (@ShaneDaleAZ) January 25, 2026
With the win, each KenPom and Torvik are projecting Arizona will end with a 29-2 general document. KenPom offers the Wildcats a 9.2 p.c probability of ending the common season undefeated, which is definitely fairly excessive given the handful of Large 12 challenges remaining on their schedule, together with highway video games towards a red-hot Kansas crew and a perennial nationwide title contender in Houston.
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