The No. 1 Arizona men’s basketball team is set to face the No. 12 University of Alabama (7-2) on Saturday, Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m. in Legacy Arena at BJCC in Birmingham, Alabama.
Arizona began the week taking over the No. 1 spot in the AP polls, the first time this season and third under Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd. The Wildcats are coming off a blowout 97-68 win over No. 21 Auburn University last Saturday, marking Arizona’s eighth consecutive victory.
With the game taking place in Birmingham, it is the first time Arizona has been in the city since defeating the University of Kansas and the University of Providence in the NCAA Tournament on its way to the 1997 National Championship.
History vs. Alabama
Arizona and Alabama have faced each other five times before, with the Crimson Tide leading the series record 3-2. The two programs first met in 1985, in a neutral site, where Arizona fell 50-41. The Wildcats’ first win over the Crimson Tide came in 2017, where Alabama was defeated 88-82 in Tucson. The most recent matchup was on Dec. 20, 2023, in Phoenix, as the Wildcats pushed through missed shots and turnovers to gain the 87-74 victory.
Alabama players to watch
The Crimson Tide head into this game on a four-game win streak, with victories over schools like Clemson University (90-84) and the University of Maryland (105-72). Alabama is led by six-year head coach Nate Oats, who took over the helm in 2019, guiding the Crimson Tide to its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Final Four in 2024.
Oats has collected 145 wins, including three trips to the Sweet 16, back-to-back trips to the Elite 8 and a pair of SEC Tournament championships alongside the program’s first-ever appearance in the Final Four. Oats agreed to contract extensions in 2021 and 2023, where he eventually received a third extension in 2024, keeping him as head coach through the 2030 season.
Alabama is led in scoring by sophomore guard Labaron Philon Jr., who averages 21.4 points per game, combining for 49 points in his last two games. Additionally, the 6-foot-4 guard also leads the team in assists, collecting 5.1 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.4 steals per game.
Philon Jr. came in as a No. 30 overall recruit by ESPN, No. 32 by 247Sports and No. 33 by On3 in the class of 2024. With Philon Jr. leading Alabama, Arizona must control the ball to limit the guard’s scoring.
Five players from Alabama finished in double figures in its most recent 97-55 victory over the University of Texas at San Antonio last Sunday. Sophomore Jalil Bethea was one of those players, scoring 21 points for the Crimson Tide and tying his career-high.
In only his second matchup in a Crimson Tide uniform, Bethea marked a career-best in six rebounds and 3-pointers made (5). The 6-foot-5 guard averages 11.5 points, 4.5 rebounds and two assists per game.
Amari Allen is another player for the Crimson Tide that has made noticeable contributions to their success. Allen is Alabama’s leading rebounder, collecting 7.8 boards per game. The 6-foot-8 freshman forward dropped his second consecutive double-double against UTSA, finishing with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Allen has also been productive across the floor, averaging 10.8 points and 3.5 assists per game.
Arizona players to watch
The Wildcats head into this game under Lloyd, who has led Arizona for 5 years. During his first 4 years, Lloyd has collected a record of 112-33 (.772), the second-most wins by a Division Ⅰ men’s basketball coach in his first 4 years. This season, Lloyd has guided Arizona to eight consecutive wins in the first six weeks, earning the No. 1 spot in the AP polls.
Arizona is led by freshman forward Koa Peat, who posts 15.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.1 steals per game. This season, Peat is the only freshman in the country to put up 18 points, five assists and zero turnovers against a Top 25 opponent like he did against Auburn.
Senior forward Tobe Awaka has played a vital role on defense for the Wildcats. Awaka is averaging nearly a double-double, scoring 9.4 points and 10 rebounds per game. The 6-foot-8 senior is collecting 20.8 rebounds per 40 minutes of action, the best average in the country.
Another key veteran for Arizona can be found in Anthony Dell’Orso. The senior guard has improved his game this season, increasing his average from 7.2 points to 11.3 points per game. He added 25 pounds in the offseason as part of his continued physical development.
Coming off the bench this season, Dell’Orso is averaging 25 minutes on the floor, contributing 11.3 points, 3.3 assists and 1.9 rebounds per game. Last season, Dell’Orso started 28-of-37 games, averaging 18.2 minutes per game.
With Arizona having a strong and steady lineup, much of the Wildcats is built of players who are versatile and crafty. Freshman Ivan Kharchenkov is no exception, as the German forward has been in the starting lineup from day one, putting up 12 points and 10 rebounds in Arizona’s opening win against reigning NCAA Champions, the University of Florida.
Kharchenkov can be seen doing what’s needed of him, including on the defensive end as he collected three steals against Arizona’s most recent victory over Auburn. In the 97-68 victory, Kharchenkov finished with 12 points and a season-high eight assists. The 6-foot-8 freshman averages a statline of 7.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.5 steals per game.
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