The No. 1 Arizona Wildcats traveled north to Provo to face one of their toughest tests of the season, taking on the No. 13 BYU Cougars. Arizona had benefited from a favorable conference schedule to this point, with UCF standing as its most notable matchup. BYU, meanwhile, had already faced ranked conference competition, suffering a loss to No. 15 Texas Tech. This game marked the beginning of Arizona’s upcoming gauntlet, as two future lottery picks went head-to-head.
Photo Cred: ESPN
Game Plans
Arizona
Keeping the ball out of A.J. Dybansta’s hands
A.J. Dybansta is debatably the best player in the country, boasting an offensive skill set that clearly translates to the NBA level. His gravity with the ball consistently forces double teams, creating open looks for teammates. Coming off a 43-point performance against Utah, including a 4-for-5 night from three-point range, Dybansta entering a rhythm would spell trouble for the Wildcats.
Forcing BYU to score in the paint
The Cougars feature a dangerous backcourt capable of heating up from beyond the arc. If their perimeter shots began to fall, Arizona would struggle to match them while relying primarily on interior scoring. Richie Saunders has emerged as a consistent offensive weapon over the last five games, averaging 20 points while attempting more than six three-pointers per contest. Locking down the perimeter was critical for Arizona’s defensive rotations and rebounding efforts.
Coming out of each half in rhythm
The Marriott Center is one of the most electrifying atmospheres in college basketball, maintaining high energy throughout the entire game. Arizona needed to start strong in both halves to quiet the crowd and seize momentum despite the hostile environment. Allowing BYU to open with an early run would make it difficult for the Wildcats to regain control.
Photo Cred: Lufkin Daily News
BYU
Keeping Arizona out of the paint
Arizona’s frontcourt ranks among the best in the nation, with Mo Krivas’s size and IQ paired with Tobe Awaka’s strength and rebounding prowess. BYU needed to prevent the Wildcats from running their offense through their big men and force them into perimeter shooting. Arizona entered conference play shooting just 33% from three-point range, making defensive pressure on the arc essential to protecting home court.
Speeding up the offense
BYU excels offensively and defensively in transition. Applying consistent pressure on Arizona was key to disrupting rhythm and momentum. A faster pace would also allow Dybansta to attack downhill and find shooters on the perimeter. Generating easy points against Arizona’s elite defense was necessary to keep the game within BYU’s control.
Creating mismatches for Dybansta
Dybansta is an elite three-level scorer with a high basketball IQ and a knack for drawing fouls. His primary defender was fellow future lottery pick and Team USA teammate Koa Peat, an outstanding defender who establishes his presence in the paint and makes it difficult for opponents to get to their spots. Effective screening to force switches would create favorable matchups for Dybansta against smaller defenders.
Photo Cred: Lufkin Daily News
First Half
From the opening tip, it was clear the game would be an offensive shootout. Both teams hit four of their first five shots, with seniors Jaden Bradley and Richie Saunders trading baskets early. Arizona set a physical tone by diving for loose balls, crashing the glass, and playing aggressive help defense while staying active in passing lanes.
BYU adapted by capitalizing on Arizona’s over-commitment defensively. Fouls dominated the first half and swung momentum repeatedly, as Arizona’s frontcourt accumulated seven fouls following a double technical between Tobe Awaka and Keba Keita. BYU ran its offense through Dybansta, forcing Arizona to choose between allowing him to back down defenders or doubling and surrendering open looks.
As the game settled, Arizona elected to live with Dybansta’s individual scoring, doubling selectively and forcing a late scoring drought. Dybansta drew fouls at an elite rate, accounting for 16 of BYU’s 19 free-throw attempts and quickly sending Awaka to the bench with two fouls in under a minute.
Arizona’s offensive struggles became evident after a hot start, shooting just 1-of-11 from the floor during a prolonged stretch. Jaden Bradley and Brayden Burries carried the Wildcats, combining for 36 points on 14-of-22 shooting. The rest of the roster contributed just eight points on 25% shooting. Despite these issues, Arizona closed the half on a 20–5 run, taking a 44–31 lead into the break.
Second Half
Much like the opening half, both teams emerged firing, with Brayden Burries and Kennard Davis Jr. connecting from deep. Timely cuts and off-ball movement created paint opportunities while maintaining spacing for shooters. Arizona’s foul trouble persisted as BYU attacked the rim with little resistance, though the Cougars struggled to contain Awaka on the glass.
With just under 11 minutes remaining, Arizona extended its lead to a game-high 19 points, appearing poised for a comfortable victory. That narrative quickly shifted as BYU caught fire from three-point range, trimming the deficit to 11 with five minutes left. The teams traded baskets down the stretch until Arizona maintained a double-digit lead entering the final 90 seconds.
Dybansta stepped to the line with just over a minute remaining, down 11. After going 1-of-3 and securing an offensive rebound, Rob Wright III buried a three to cut the lead to seven. Arizona’s objectives were simple: make free throws and defend aggressively. Instead, missed free throws, defensive fouls, and turnovers allowed BYU to close within one point with 11 seconds remaining and possession.
The Marriott Center erupted as Wright III drove the lane with seven seconds left, appearing to shoulder Jaden Bradley aside for a potential game-winning layup. As the shot went up, Brayden Burries flew in from the weak side for a game-saving rejection. Burries then sealed the win at the free-throw line, stunning the Provo crowd as Arizona escaped with a narrow victory and preserved its undefeated record.
In this nail-biting matchup, BYU aimed to snap Arizona’s 20–0 start and carve out an inside track toward the conference title. Instead, the Wildcats stayed composed and pulled through, tying the program record with 21 consecutive wins. Brayden Burries and Jaden Bradley put on a showcase for NBA scouts, combining for 55 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists. Burries continues to climb draft boards with each conference performance.
Despite finishing with 24 points, Dybansta was largely contained, shooting just 6-of-24 from the field, with 11 of his points coming at the free-throw line. It was the first game in which Dybansta appeared physically frustrated and overpowered, struggling to generate clean looks against Arizona’s physical defense.
Arizona improved to 8–0 in Big 12 play, while BYU dropped to 5–2 after its third loss to a top-15 opponent. These programs feature contrasting styles, but both look well-prepared for March. Next up, Arizona travels to Tempe to face Arizona State, while BYU heads to Lawrence for a matchup against Kansas.
