The energy inside McKale Center on Wednesday night wasn't just loud; it was heavy. You could feel the stakes in the air long before the opening tip. When the dust finally settled on the latest arizona wildcats basketball score, a gritty 89-82 victory over Arizona State, the scoreboard told only half the story.
Arizona is 17-0.
Think about that for a second. In a season where the "blue bloods" are tripping over themselves and the new-look Big 12 is basically a nightly street fight, Tommy Lloyd has his squad sitting at a perfect 4-0 in conference play. They aren't just winning; they're surviving the kind of physical, "get-punched-in-the-mouth" games that usually trip up top-ranked teams in January.
The Night the Freshmen Took Over
Most people expected the veterans to carry the load against the Sun Devils. Instead, we got a masterclass from the kids. Koa Peat, the 6-foot-8 freshman who looks like he’s been in a college weight room for a decade, was the difference-maker.
Honestly, the first half was ugly for him. He went 2-of-8 from the floor. You could see the frustration. But great players have short memories. In the second half, Peat went a perfect 7-for-7. He finished with 24 points and 10 boards, basically deciding he wasn't going to let Arizona lose.
Then there’s Tobe Awaka.
If you aren't watching Awaka, you're missing the heartbeat of this team. He came off the bench and dropped a career-high 25 points. He’s not out there playing finesse ball; he’s bullying people in the paint. Arizona outscored ASU 46-22 in the paint, and a huge chunk of that was just Awaka being stronger than everyone else on the floor.
Breaking Down the Arizona Wildcats Basketball Score
When you look at the box score from Wednesday, a few things jump out that explain why this team is No. 1 in the country.
- Free Throw Disparity: Arizona went 21-of-26 from the stripe. ASU only got 11 attempts. That’s not just "home-court whistles"—it’s a result of Arizona’s relentless aggression toward the rim.
- The Second Half Surge: The Wildcats were actually down 39-38 at the half. They responded by shooting 66.7% from the field in the second frame.
- Rebounding Dominance: A 39-28 edge on the glass. You can’t give a team this talented second chances, and the Sun Devils just couldn't clear the boards.
It wasn't a perfect game by any stretch. Arizona State's Moe Odum was a problem all night, dropping 23 points and keeping the Sun Devils within a single possession with less than a minute to go. But Jaden Bradley—who is quickly becoming the most reliable "big shot" guy on the roster—nailed a short jumper to ice it.
Is This the Best Start in a Decade?
Technically, yes. This 17-0 start is the best the program has seen since the 2013-14 season when they opened 21-0. Back then, it was Aaron Gordon and Nick Johnson leading the way. This team feels different, though.
The 2026 Wildcats have a weird mix of international flair and high-motor freshmen. Ivan Kharchenkov added 15 points against ASU, proving that this rotation is deep enough to survive foul trouble or an off-night from any single star.
The transition to the Big 12 was supposed to be a reality check. Everyone said the travel and the defensive intensity would wear them down. Instead, Arizona has treated it like a victory lap so far, though the upcoming road trip to Orlando to face UCF on January 17 will be another massive test.
What to Watch Moving Forward
If you're tracking the arizona wildcats basketball score every night, keep an eye on the defensive rotations. While the offense is averaging over 90 points a game (12th in the nation), the defense had a few lapses against ASU’s perimeter shooters. The Sun Devils hit 44% of their threes.
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Against a team like Houston or Kansas later this season, that kind of perimeter slack will get punished.
That said, Tommy Lloyd has built a culture where "winning ugly" is celebrated. They don't panic when they're down at halftime. They don't stop feeding the post when the outside shots aren't falling. They just keep coming at you.
Actionable Insights for the Season
If you're following the Cats this year, here is how to stay ahead of the curve:
- Monitor the AP Poll: Expect Arizona to remain a unanimous No. 1 in the next update. Their strength of schedule (currently ranked 30th) is only going to get tougher, which actually helps their NET ranking.
- Focus on the Bench: Tobe Awaka’s emergence as a 20-point threat off the bench changes the scouting report for every opponent. Watch if teams start doubling him, which should open up more looks for Jaden Bradley.
- Ticket Strategy: If you're planning to head to McKale, buy early. The "undefeated" hype is driving prices through the roof, especially with Cincinnati and West Virginia coming to town later this month.
The road doesn't get easier from here. The Big 12 is a meat grinder. But right now, the Arizona Wildcats aren't just the best team in the conference—they look like the best team in the country, period. Keep your eyes on the box scores, because this run is starting to feel historic.