Jan 24, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; BYU Cougars ahead AJ Dybantsa (3) reacts in the course of the first half towards the Utah Utes at Marriott Heart. Obligatory Credit score: Aaron Baker-Imagn Pictures A trio of gifted freshmen will likely be on show when No. 1 Arizona travels to No. 13 BYU for a pivotal Massive 12 Convention showdown Monday in Provo, Utah.
The Wildcats (20-0, 7-0) smothered West Virginia 88-53 at dwelling on Saturday. Brayden Burries led 4 scorers in double figures with 22 factors. The freshman guard was final yr’s Gatorade Participant of the 12 months in California, a five-star recruit and the No. 9 prospect within the nation, per 247Sports.
Mixed with main scorer Koa Peat (14.7 factors per sport), Burries (14.6 ppg) offers the Wildcats a pair of freshmen atop their scoring ledger. When the calendar flipped to 2026 and Massive 12 play acquired into full swing, Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd envisioned Burries additional acclimating to the faculty sport.
“I am not placing a ceiling on any of those guys,” Lloyd stated. “… Brayden is getting lots of confidence. Brayden has wonderful instincts for a younger basketball participant. Now I believe he is layering that with some expertise the place perhaps he understands what’s occurring earlier than it is coming a bit of bit.
“That permits him to control sure conditions and he is responding to conditions within the sport versus reacting. That is pure development for a younger participant. He is form of in his candy spot. I felt like January could be a giant month for him to make a giant leap and it seems to be like he’s.”
Arizona has been the No. 1 crew within the nation for seven weeks and it is not anticipated to vary when Monday’s new AP ballot arrives. The Wildcats common 89.8 ppg and solely enable 67.6. The 21-point scoring margin ranks fifth nationally.
Recent off a record-setting 91-78 dwelling win Saturday towards Utah, its largest rival, BYU (17-2, 5-1) hosts one other large sport.
AJ Dybantsa set the BYU freshman scoring mark with 43 factors towards Utah. A contender to be the No. 1 choose within the 2026 NBA Draft, Dybantsa related on 15 of 24 subject aim makes an attempt, drained 4 of 5 3-pointers and shot 9 of 10 from the free throw line. He rounded out his spectacular stat line with six rebounds and three assists.
Robert Wright III added 21 factors and Richie Saunders chipped in 12 factors, nevertheless it was Dybantsa that had everybody buzzing, together with coach Kevin Younger. Final Saturday, Dybantsa scored a season-low 13 factors in an 84-71 loss at then-No. 15 Texas Tech. It was an emphatic bounce-back sport for Dybantsa (23.6 ppg), the Cougars’ main scorer.
“I used to be impressed whereas he was doing it,” Younger stated. “In my thoughts, he is a particular participant. I’ve stated it quite a bit. I believe he’s, palms down, the clear-cut No. 1 choose within the upcoming NBA draft … The factor I like about it greater than something is it is coming off his worst efficiency of the yr. He wasn’t good at Texas Tech and he got here out unfazed and had a transparent wish to exit and dominate a sport.”
The groups break up two video games final season, with every crew profitable on the opponent’s dwelling court docket. On Feb. 4, Arizona gained 85-74, then a number of weeks later, BYU went to Tucson and escaped with a 96-95 victory.
–Area Stage Media
