Key Players
Arizona:
● Jaden Bradley – Through the first four games, Bradley has shown he is the most polished player on this versatile roster. The absence of Caleb Love has allowed him to truly take control of the offense and set a new pace that has been missing the last two years. His ability to finish through contact at the rim and knock down spot-up jumpers makes him very difficult to contain.
● Koa Peat – “Mr. Arizona” will look to bounce back after an underwhelming performance against UCLA. With his size and playmaking ability, Peat can impact the game without needing to score. He is aggressive on defense, but discipline and technique will be key if he wants to avoid foul trouble in this matchup.
Photo Cred: Arizona
● Motiejus Krivas – After missing all of last season with a foot injury, Krivas has shown why he is so valuable. His rebounding and rim protection help establish Arizona’s pace and tempo. Krivas excels in pick-and-roll situations, collapsing defenses and creating open looks for himself and his teammates.
UConn:
● Alex Karaban – Surprisingly back at UConn after withdrawing from the 2025 NBA Draft, Karaban enters this game as arguably the best player on the floor. He is shooting an incredible 62% from the field and 63% from three. His gravity, anticipation, and quick processing allow his teammates to get space in transition and in the half court, leading to efficient ball movement and open shots.
● Solo Ball – After a rough showing against BYU that included early foul trouble, Ball will look to make a statement against Arizona. With the Wildcats likely to throw tactical double-teams at Karaban, Ball could find himself in position to take over as a primary ball handler and playmaker. He is shooting over 30% from three on 6.5 attempts per game and will become a major problem if he starts hot.
● Tarris Reed Jr. – Coming off a big game against BYU, Reed Jr. has showcased all of his abilities. He is averaging 20 points on an outstanding 74% shooting and grabbing over nine rebounds per night. Nearly averaging a double-double, the senior is thriving in his second year at UConn and has become a defensive force who shuts down opposing bigs. If Reed Jr. maintains this efficiency, it could be a long night for Arizona in the paint.
Photo Cred: CT Insider
Outlooks
Arizona:
To win on the road, Arizona must minimize their weaknesses defending the pick-and-roll and eliminate unnecessary turnovers. The freshmen will play a critical role and will need to step up to validate the team’s Top-5 ranking. This will be the toughest program they have faced so far, and winning will come down to depth, ball control, and resilience while playing from behind.
The Wildcats are averaging nearly 14 turnovers per game, and that must improve quickly if they want to avoid falling behind early. They have shown impressive toughness in comeback wins over Florida and UCLA, rallying to victory both times. However, Gampel Pavilion is one of the toughest environments in college basketball, making any deficit difficult to overcome if UConn goes on a run. Arizona is determined to shed the “overrated” label, and there is no better way to do it than earning a road win against the Huskies.
UConn:
To protect their home court, UConn will need to increase tempo and physicality. They currently rank near the bottom of Division I in pace and possessions per game, which must change against Arizona—either by forcing turnovers to create transition opportunities or playing more aggressively in a run-and-gun style.
UConn’s experience must also present a challenge for Arizona’s young and talented roster, whose freshmen will be stepping into a national spotlight. The Huskies have won two of the last three national championships and are looking to reestablish themselves as a title favorite after a second-round exit last year. A win over Arizona would send exactly that message.
