Top-ranked Arizona will put one of the nation’s three undefeated records on the line Saturday afternoon when it hosts West Virginia in Tucson, Ariz.
The Wildcats (19-0, 6-0 Big 12) have proven to be the conference’s best squad through 12 contests, taking the opposition’s best shot with all the zeroes in the right-hand column and one of the nation’s top freshmen in the paint in Koa Peat (14.6 points per game).
Wednesday’s 77-51 rout of visiting Cincinnati was a total team effort rather than one reflected in individual performances.
Big man Motiejus Krivas led with 17 points, and guard Brayden Burries starred with 12 points, 10 rebounds and four assists.
However, the best stat was the group effort on the defensive end: The Bearcats made just 17 of 56 (30%) of their field-goal attempts.
On offense, Arizona, which does not rely on long-distance shooting, hit only 3 of 13 (23%) from three-point range but worked its way to a sizable 48-14 advantage in paint points.
Burries has been a steadying presence and a go-to in games that have been close.
In total, he and backcourt mate Jaden Bradley committed just one turnover and produced eight assists.
A 6-foot-4 freshman, Burries totals 14.2 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.5 assists. The San Bernardino, Calif., product is shooting 49.3% from the floor.
“I thought he was great today in a lot of areas,” Lloyd following the win over the Bearcats. “I thought he did a good job handling their pressure and handling the ball. For him and (Jaden) to run the point against a team that turns a lot of people over and have eight assists and one turnover, that’s a pretty impressive performance.”
The Mountaineers (13-6, 4-2) will not likely go quietly as the Wildcats hunt their 20th prey.
First-year coach Ross Hodge’s squad has won two straight games and four of the past five following a conference-opening 80-59 blowout defeat at Iowa State on Jan. 2.
West Virginia’s previous three wins – against No. 22 Kansas, Colorado and at Arizona State – have all been impressive by double-digit margins.
In the most recent two, sizzling senior Treysen Eaglestaff has produced well above his 10.6 points per outing.
A Bismarck, N.D. native, the forward has tallied 45 points – 23 at the Sun Devils, 22 against the Buffaloes – as he reached 20 points for the fourth and fifth times.
The North Dakota University transfer’s success has come from downtown: He has drained 36 of 99 (36.4%) from long range. His 6-for-9 showing from distance helped the Mountaineers overcome a wasted 12-point lead in the win.
Eaglestaff’s efforts ensured that West Virginia’s two-game visit to the Grand Canyon State started well.
“Honestly, he’s just comfortable,” said Hodge of his sharpshooter. “I think he’s comfortable now. He understands that we need him to be aggressive. We need his shot making.
“He really bailed us out in the first half. He kind of willed us into the game. … His heart and the work he has put in, it should be an inspiration to all of us.”
Honor Huff paces the team with 16.6 points and shoots 38.9% from long range. Brenen Lorient produces 10.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.3 assists.
West Virginia lost 75-56 at home last season in its only Big 12 matchup with the Wildcats.
