The University of Arizona men’s basketball team (18-0, 5-0 in Big 12) returns home to face the University of Cincinnati (10-8, 2-3 in Big 12). Arizona is one of three undefeated teams remaining. The Wildcats are facing strong opponents in the coming weeks that will bring new challenges to the No. 1 team.
Arizona is looking to extend their undefeated run this week at home against Cincinnati, but recent games have exposed some flaws in the Wildcats’ play. As the season continues, they need to keep up the strong defense and find more consistency behind the arc.
History vs Cincinnati
Arizona and Cincinnati first met in Dec. 1975 in Honolulu, HI and most recently in Jan. 2025. Since then, the teams have met five times, with the Arizona Wildcats winning all five times. Before the 2022-23 season, the last time the teams played against each other was during the 1996 season.
Arizona key players
Arizona’s season has been nothing short of phenomenal. If the Wildcats continue this momentum, they are close to breaking their record for best season opening streak. The longest start in program history was back in 2013-14 where they started 21-0.
Freshman star Koa Peat is the top scorer this season with 264 points averaging 14.7 per game. Peat is followed by Brayden Burries who has recorded 257 points this season. Burries leads the team in 3-pointers totaling 27 out of the 79 he’s attempted for a .342 average.
Tobe Awaka and Motiejus Krivas have been essential this season, leading the way with rebounds. Awaka has tallied 176 total and Krivas follows with 150. Their work on the boards has created many second chance points for the Wildcats.
Cincinnati key players
Leading the season for Cincinnati is graduate student guard Day Day Thomas. Thomas has collected 226 points and averaged 12.6 per game. Senior forward Baba Miller is shortly behind with 211 points, but has a higher average of 13.2 points per game.
Not only does Miller have the highest points average, but also the most rebounds at 172 total. He averages 10.8 per game.
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