The Arizona Wildcats took on the Kansas State Wildcats at home in the McKale Center in their second conference game of the season. Following their strong road win against Utah this past weekend, Arizona secured the No. 1 ranking in the country after a narrow vote over the Michigan Wolverines. Looking to eliminate any doubt about who deserves the top spot, the Wildcats returned to Tucson determined to show dominance on their home floor.
Photo Cred: Arizona
This Arizona squad is eager to prove they are legitimate title contenders—one that should be feared throughout conference play and viewed as a dangerous matchup come March. Arizona, much like in their previous matchup, started fast with Krivas setting an aggressive and controlled tempo. The Wildcats allowed him to operate as a floor general from the block early, either taking advantage of mismatches at the rim or setting up teammates for easy finishes.
The game plan was clear: expose Kansas State’s defense, which does not rank inside the top 100 in any major defensive category. That strategy paid off immediately, as Arizona moved the ball at a high level, making extra passes to exploit double teams and defenders caught out of position. On the other end, Kansas State opened the game hitting its first two shots by using strong off-ball movement and screens, but that momentum quickly faded.
Arizona responded with a dominant 19–6 run over a six-minute stretch that created separation. To keep pace with Arizona’s high-tempo offense, Kansas State relied on off-ball movement, backdoor cuts, and floor spacing. Getting P.J. Haggerty going was a key part of the Wildcats’ offensive plan, as his gravity could open opportunities for others. However, missed open looks early allowed Arizona to dictate the pace.
Photo Cred:
Arizona’s strong interior defense forced Kansas State to rely heavily on perimeter shooting, which proved ineffective. Both teams struggled from beyond the arc, combining to shoot just 4-for-30 from three in the first half. Foul trouble became the biggest issue for Kansas State, as they entered the double bonus with eight minutes remaining. Arizona capitalized at the free-throw line, attempting 19 free throws in the first half alone. Despite shooting 0-for-8 from three, Arizona maintained a comfortable double-digit lead for the remainder of the half.
Kansas State closed strong to cut the deficit to 15, heading into the locker room trailing 51–36. As both Wildcats teams returned to the floor, Arizona continued its dominance in the paint. The Wildcats finished the game with 56 points in the paint, as their three-point shot continued to struggle and forced a complete shift toward attacking the rim. Constant pressure on the basket kept Kansas State in foul trouble throughout the half, leading to three key contributors fouling out and exposing an inexperienced bench.
Kansas State briefly cut Arizona’s lead to nine during a small run with just over 16 minutes remaining, but the momentum was short-lived. Arizona quickly answered by scoring on three consecutive possessions, pushing the lead back to 15. From that point on, Arizona’s tempo became overwhelming. Foul trouble and defensive breakdowns left Kansas State unable to protect open space, making Arizona nearly unguardable offensively.
The lead soon ballooned to 25, and with five minutes remaining, the outcome was no longer in doubt. Arizona closed out a dominant 101–76 victory on its home floor. In this Wildcats showdown, Arizona once again demonstrated why it sits atop the Big 12. After two convincing conference wins against quality opponents, the rest of the league should already be studying film and preparing for Arizona early. Kansas State’s defense was overwhelmed by Arizona’s depth and versatility, as any player is capable of stepping up as a primary contributor.
Photo State: K State
On this night, Braden Burries led the charge, delivering an outstanding performance with 28 points, nine rebounds, and four assists while shooting 75 percent from the field. Performances like this explain why Arizona holds the No. 1 ranking and consistently defeats opponents by double digits, reinforcing its status as a top-tier program. Both teams return to action Saturday, as Kansas State travels north to Tempe to face Arizona State, while Arizona heads to Fort Worth for a matchup against TCU.
