The No. 1 Arizona men’s basketball team won 96-75 against the No. 12 University of Alabama on Saturday, Dec. 13, at 7:30 p.m. in Birmingham, Alabama. This marks Arizona’s ninth consecutive win on the season and fifth win over a ranked opponent. 

Freshman guard Brayden Burries led the match with a season-high of 28 points, going 5-for-10 from the 3-point line. Additionally, he went 11-for-19 from the field and grabbed seven rebounds. Senior forward Tobe Awaka dominated the backboard, collecting 15 rebounds alongside an additional 7 points and two assists. 

First half

Out the gate, Arizona gained possession after winning the jump ball and put up an early outside shot from Burries, missing the attempt. Alabama turned the ball over to the other side of the court and completed a 3-point attempt, putting them in the lead just seconds into the game. 

Arizona’s Ivan Kharchenkov gained the team’s first points on the board with an inside jumper, closing the score 3-2. The Wildcats pulled into the lead with 2 points from Motiejus Krivas at the free-throw line, but was quickly reversed with a lay-up from Alabama’s Taylor Bowen. 

The lead bounced back-and-forth as Krivas and Kharchenkov battled for points against the Crimson Tide. 

The Wildcats started to see their lead grow nearing the fifth minute of play, as shots from Burries and a 3-point attempt from Krivas found their way into the net, advancing Arizona 19-12. However, Alabama gradually closed the gap with points across the board, bringing them within just 1 point of Arizona, before ultimately grabbing the lead with a 3-pointer from Labaron Philon Jr., 24-22. 

This lead held for the next two minutes of play until the Wildcats were able to tie the game at 26 with a free-throw from senior guard Jaden Bradley. Bradley and Burries were aggressive on the boards for the Wildcats, earning second-chance looks and possessions. 

Going into a media timeout with seven minutes remaining in the half, Arizona trailed 34-30. Bradley hit a huge 3-point shot for the Wildcats to close the gap shortly after, followed by another attempt in the corner and a put-back shot from Krivas, both unsuccessful. 

Arizona guard Anthony Dell’Orso took several attempts from the floor as well, unable to find a stable shot. Fortunately for Arizona, Bradley was able to find a shot inside the paint to bring them within 2 points of the Crimson Tide. He followed with another inside shot to tie the game at 37. 

With under two minutes in the half, the Wildcats fought for the advantage and found it with a 2-pointer from Burries. Alabama responded with a wide-open dunk on the other end. Arizona freshman forward Dwayne Aristode attempted a baseline 3-pointer but was unable to find the net. Yet again, the Crimson Tide capitalized on the other end, stealing the lead back 41-39 with 14 seconds remaining in the first half. At this point, the Wildcats called a timeout. 

Bradley found Dell’Orso in the corner, who hit a last minute shot that rolled off the rim. Krivas tried to put the shot back in before the buzzer, but fell short. The Wildcats went into the second half trailing for their first time this season, 41-39. 

Second half

Coming into the second half, both teams were eager to edge out the other. The Crimson Tide advanced their lead as Arizona followed with a completed free-throw. Krivas contributed with a lay-in to bring Arizona within 1 point of Alabama. 

Arizona freshman wing Koa Peat, while suffering early foul trouble, continued to attempt shots inside the paint. Kharchenkov capitalized on his attempts, grabbing the lead for the Wildcats, 44-43. Defensively, Alabama blocked 15 of Arizona’s shots in the game. 

Fortunately for the Wildcats, Burries responded with a huge 3-pointer, pulling them 4 points into the lead. Arizona was especially strong on the boards, out-rebounding Alabama 52 to 32. Awaka and Krivas were major contributors, combining for 29 boards. This helped to gain them extra possessions and chances at the hoop. 

Points bounced back-and-forth, a made dunk by Krivas was quickly overturned with a huge 3-pointer from Alabama on the other end. This kept the teams within 5 points of each other, Arizona clutching onto their lead. 

Krivas was huge in put-back attempts, advancing Arizona’s shooting. Awaka found success beneath the basket, getting to the line four times and making 3-of-4. 

Kharchenkov made a fast-break lay-in to get the Wildcats ahead by 9 points. Awaka and Burries continued to score for Arizona, finding ways to get inside the paint and put in the ball. 

The Wildcats led 62-49 as Burries sank a deep 3-point shot to advance Arizona by 16 points, the highest of the game. 

Krivas attempted from the 3-point line but fell short, turning the ball over to Alabama, who wasn’t able to complete on their end either. 

With hot hands, Burries sank another 3-pointer, keeping the Wildcats ahead. The Crimson Tide put points up on the other end, but the Wildcats recovered with shots of their own. With 10 minutes remaining, Alabama turned to tight-press defense. This wasn’t enough to stop Burries from finding the bucket. 

The Wildcats continued to grab offensive rebounds, finding Burries on the outside for a deep 3-pointer, putting the Wildcats into a 20-point lead. A foul on the other end gave Alabama 2 points. 

Burries responded with an unstoppable 3-point completion, keeping Alabama out of reach. Aristode followed in the next possession with one of his own, giving the Wildcats a 22-point advantage over the Crimson Tide. 

At this point, just under 8 minutes were remaining in the game. Alabama started to find successful shots from field goal range, getting within 17 points of Arizona, but Dell’Orso capitalized on a 3-point play and put them back out of range. 

The Crimson Tide was successful in completing fouls, earning easy points from the line. Arizona’s defense tightened drastically in the second half, making it harder for outside and inside shots to find their way to the net for Alabama. 

Burries continued his efforts throughout, contributing lay-ins and shots from outside the perimeter. With under 3 minutes remaining, Alabama resorted to a full-court press, trying to get extra possessions and quickly. The Wildcats easily broke the press and found points on their end. 

Ultimately, Alabama wasn’t able to come back, granting Arizona the 96-75 victory.

Looking ahead

The Wildcats return home to face Abilene Christian University on Tuesday, Dec. 16, at 7 p.m. in McKale Center.

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