The No. 1 ranked Arizona Wildcats secured their unbeaten streak with a hard-fought 86-83 victory against the No. 13 BYU Cougars on January 26, 2026. This intense matchup marked Arizona’s toughest test in the Big 12 this season, as they maintained their perfect record of 21 wins and no losses.
Arizona displayed remarkable resilience throughout the game, leading by as many as 19 points before fending off a late rally from BYU (17-3, 5-2 in Big 12). The Wildcats’ backcourt played a pivotal role, with freshman Brayden Burries emerging as the standout performer, scoring 29 points. Senior Jaden Bradley contributed significantly with 26 points, and the duo’s shooting prowess was evident as they combined for a shooting percentage of 60.7%, hitting 17 of 28 attempts. Their efforts were complemented by seven assists and five steals.
In addition to their offensive success, Arizona’s defense proved effective, limiting BYU to 40.3% shooting. This was a notable drop from the Cougars’ season average of 49.1% over their first 19 games. Burries capped off his stellar performance with a crucial block in the final seconds, ensuring Arizona’s victory.
Upcoming Challenges for Arizona Wildcats
The Wildcats, who are currently 8-0 in the Big 12, are well-positioned to continue their unbeaten run. Over the next 13 days, they will face two relatively weaker opponents: Arizona State (11-9, 2-5 in Big 12) and Oklahoma State (14-6, 2-5 in Big 12). However, the schedule becomes increasingly challenging from February 9 to March 2, as Arizona prepares to meet several formidable teams, including No. 14 Kansas (15-5, 5-2 in Big 12) twice, BYU again, No. 11 Texas Tech (16-4, 6-1 in Big 12), No. 10 Houston (17-2, 5-1 in Big 12), and No. 8 Iowa State (18-2, 5-2 in Big 12).
While the upcoming slate poses a tough gauntlet for the Wildcats, their ability to perform under pressure is evident. Arizona has averaged 83.3 points per game across nine Quad 1 matchups, with four of those victories coming by six points or fewer. This experience in close games should bolster their confidence as they navigate the demanding schedule ahead.
BYU put forth a commendable effort, pushing Arizona to its limits, but the Wildcats emerged victorious once again. As they continue their pursuit of an undefeated season, other teams in the Big 12 may soon feel the pressure of facing a battle-tested Arizona squad.