Arizona Wildcats Maintain Perfect Season, Tie Historic Winning Streaks with Victory Over Arizona State
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Arizona basketball continues to dominate, achieving a remarkable 87-74 victory over rival Arizona State on Saturday, February 1, 2026, in Tempe. This win not only keeps the Wildcats undefeated at 22-0 and 9-0 in the Big 12 Conference but also propels them into the history books, surpassing previous program milestones.
Wildcats Reach New Heights in Program History
The Arizona Wildcats’ triumph over the Sun Devils marks the best start to a season in school history, eclipsing the 2013-14 team led by stars Nick Johnson, Aaron Gordon, and T.J. McConnell. Furthermore, the team has matched the program record for the longest winning streak, a feat previously achieved during the 1914-17 seasons. “This team is special,” a senior analyst commented, “They’re playing with a level of consistency and determination we haven’t seen from Arizona in years.”
The Wildcats also equaled the Big 12 record for the longest winning streak to begin a season, matching the Kansas team from the 1996-97 campaign. This accomplishment underscores Arizona’s dominance within the conference and nationally.
Peat Leads the Charge in Second-Half Surge
Koa Peat was instrumental in securing the victory, scoring 15 of his game-high 21 points after halftime. Peat’s efficient shooting, going 9-of-16 from the field, proved crucial as Arizona pulled away from a competitive contest. This marked the fourth time this season, and the second time against Arizona State, that Peat has reached the 20-point threshold.
Brayden Burries contributed a solid performance with 17 points and seven rebounds, while Motiejus Krivas and Ivan Kharchenkov added 15 and 12 points respectively, contributing significantly during the evenly-matched first half. Jaden Bradley chipped in with 10 points, and Tobe Awaka dominated the boards, securing 13 rebounds to help Arizona finish with a commanding 47-32 rebounding advantage.
Dominant Second Half Fuels Arizona Victory
Arizona showcased its offensive prowess in the second half, shooting an impressive 60% from the field and 50.8% overall. The Wildcats’ attack was particularly effective inside, converting 20 layups and dunks for a total of 50 points in the paint. They outscored Arizona State 49-36 after the break, demonstrating their ability to elevate their game when it matters most.
Arizona State, despite a strong performance from reserve Noah Meeusen who led the Sun Devils with 16 points, struggled to contain Arizona’s offensive onslaught. Leading scorer Maurice Odum was held to 15 points on 6-of-16 shooting and found himself in foul trouble as Arizona extended its lead. The Sun Devils shot 41.5% from the field and have now lost five of their last six games, currently holding an 11-11 record and a 2-7 mark in conference play.
Mid-American Conference Roundup
In other college basketball action:
- Central Michigan 62, Bowling Green 59: The Chippewas rallied from a 12-point halftime deficit, fueled by a career-high 18 points and 14 rebounds from Keenan Garner, to defeat Bowling Green in front of a crowd of 5,352.
- UMass 70, Eastern Michigan 67: Gregory Lawson II scored a career-high 20 points for UMass, while Mohammad Habhab contributed a well-rounded performance with 15 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and two blocks.
- Western Michigan 59, Eastern Michigan 54: Kailey Starks led Western Michigan with 19 points, securing their first league road win of the season.
- Central Michigan 75, Northern Illinois 70: Madi Morson scored a game-high 26 points for Central Michigan, leading them to a come-from-behind victory.
- Youngstown State 72, Oakland 60: Makenzie Luehring paced Oakland with 20 points in a losing effort.
Arizona’s continued success positions them as a strong contender for the national championship, and their historic run is captivating college basketball fans across the nation.
