The University of Arizona men’s basketball team secured a hard-fought 89-82 victory over Arizona State on Wednesday night, but the game revealed vulnerabilities for the No. 1 ranked Wildcats. Trailing at halftime – a first in over a month – Arizona faced a significant challenge from an unranked opponent. However, Head Coach Tommy Lloyd wasn’t surprised by the competitive match.
“I really appreciated the battle tonight, I appreciated the competition,” Lloyd stated after the win. “I learned that our guys are here for it. You put them in tough situations, they’re not afraid to make plays and find a way in a really tough game.”
As one of only three remaining unbeaten teams in Division I, Arizona now faces a new level of scrutiny and challenge. Every game carries increased weight, and Saturday’s road matchup against the University of Central Florida (UCF) promises to be another significant test.
The Knights (14-2, 3-1 Big 12) are enjoying their best start since the 2010-11 season, highlighted by impressive victories over Kansas and Texas A&M. UCF boasts a 9-game home winning streak and has won 11 of 17 Big 12 games at Addition Financial Arena since joining the conference in 2023-24.
“This is gonna be another incredibly tough game on the road,” Lloyd acknowledged.
Key Players to Watch
Arizona’s offensive versatility was on display against ASU, with Tobe Awaka becoming the seventh different Wildcat to score 20 or more points in a game this season. Brayden Burries has reached the 20-point mark five times, while Koa Peat is coming off two consecutive 20-point performances. Jaden Bradley, Anthony Dell’Orso, and Ivan Kharchenkov have each also contributed a 20-point game.
However, Arizona’s scoring can be inconsistent. Seven starters have also had multiple games scoring less than 10 points, a combined 28 instances. Motiejus Krivas has struggled to reach double figures most frequently, but has shown improvement recently, scoring 12 points in his last two games after a career-high 25 against Kansas State. Krivas has been drawing 5.3 fouls per 40 minutes, second-best on the team, but has at times appeared frustrated with officiating.
“Mo is really coming on and when you’re a big guy, you’re really coming on, the other team picks it up on you,” Lloyd explained. “Usually what picking it up means, like, is way more physical. It’s just one of those things that inside, they don’t call the first hit very much. So you got to be able to play through it and not get frustrated.”
UCF, led by senior guard Riley Kugel who averages 18 points per game in Big 12 play, presents a balanced offensive threat. The Knights are the second-highest scoring team from two-point range in the Big 12, behind Arizona. They are coached by Johnny Dawkins, in his 10th season at UCF, and have a history of competitive play, reaching the finals of the College Basketball Crown tournament last year.
Arizona is traveling to Orlando after departing Tucson on Thursday afternoon to adjust to the two-hour time change. While this trip isn’t the longest of the season – a November game against UConn required a more extensive journey – the team is prioritizing preparation for the challenging road environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How has UCF performed against ranked opponents?
UCF has faced the No. 1 team in the country four times, twice in the NCAA Tournament, and lost by eight at home to top-ranked Houston two seasons ago.
What is Arizona’s record when playing as the No. 1 ranked team?
Arizona has played 67 regular season games as the No. 1 team, winning 57 of them. They have an 18-5 record on the road while ranked No. 1, with their last road loss coming in 2014 at Cal.
How does this road trip compare to others Arizona has taken this season?
This trip is not Arizona’s longest of the season, but it is a significant one. The team departed on Thursday afternoon to acclimate to the time change, a strategy similar to their approach for the November game against UConn.
As Arizona continues its pursuit of an undefeated season, how will their balanced scoring and ability to overcome adversity be tested by a determined UCF team on the road?
