With the Wildcats’ biggest test of conference play looming, it got a nice confidence boost in a matinee matchup at McKale on Saturday. With 3-point signs taped to the seats, Tommy Lloyd’s squad had one of its best shooting days of the season as it handled business against the Mountaineers. Check out our takeaways from No. 1 Arizona Men’s Basketball’s 88-53 victory over West Virginia.
1) So Arizona can actually shoot it from deep!
If there’s been one knock on the No. 1 team in the nation this season, it’s been its shot-making ability from the perimeter. So what did Arizona do? Well, naturally, the McKale Center was decorated with 3-point signs for fans and the Wildcats had one of their best games from deep this season. Tommy Lloyd’s squad connected on 10-of-23 (43.5%) 3-point attempts, led by Brayden Burries, who erupted for 22 points, connecting on 4-of-8 from beyond the arc.
For comparison, over the last three games, the UA has just 10 makes combined, shooting 10-of-37 (27.0%) from the perimeter in the wins over ASU, UCF, and Cincinnati.
The Wildcats’ bread and butter will continue to be in the paint and at the free throw line, but if Arizona can start knocking down some shots with consistency, it allows it to stretch the floor and further balance an offense already littered with scorers where every night is anyone’s night.
2) Wildcats aren’t afraid to get dirty on defense
As efficiently as Arizona played on offense, it had as equally impressive of a game on defense. The Wildcats held WVU to 34.4% from the field and just 27.3% from beyond the arc. While the Mountaineers’ 11 turnovers weren’t exactly eye-popping, West Virginia only assisted on 11 field goals. Of those 11 turnovers, 10 were steals, as the Wildcats were able to jam up passing lanes and disrupt WVU’s offensive flow all game long. Veteran guard Jaden Bradley and Dutch freshman Dwayne Aristode each had three steals for the Cats.
Arizona dominated the glass as well, holding West Virginia to just eight offensive rebounds, while out-rebounding WVU 43-30.
As expected, Tobe Awaka’s 14 rebounds and Motiejus Krivas’ 12 boards led the way for the Wildcats. Krivas also led the team with three blocks, as Arizona dominated both ends of the court.
Against a much more active and athletic team in BYU, the Wildcats will need to give it everything they have defensively as they look to tie the longest win streak in program history in Provo on Monday night.
3) Sharing (safely) is caring for Tommy Lloyd and Co.
As pesky as Arizona was on defense, it put on a masterclass on the offensive end from a ball movement and security perspective. The Wildcats assisted on 20-of-31 made field goals, led by Brayden Burries who had a game-high seven assists to go along with his game-high 22 points. He also did not turn the ball over in what was one of the true freshman’s best games in an Arizona uniform.
The Wildcats had just five turnovers on the game and the 4:1 assist to turnover ratio is their best in conference play and matches a season-best in the win over Alabama in Birmingham.
Arizona moved the ball well, passed up good shots for great shots, and fed the hot hand as four players finished in double figures, including Anthony Dell’Orso, who bounced back from recent struggles with a 12 point performance. With a tough slate on the schedule starting on Monday and carrying into February, the Wildcats need to continue taking care of and moving the ball, just like they did against the Mountaineers.