No. 1 Arizona wary of upset-minded UCF in road clash
The past week's trend featured undefeated teams on the receiving end of a first setback, and top-ranked Arizona will try to remain unaffected and stay perfect on Saturday afternoon against UCF in Orlando, Fla.
On Tuesday, No. 2 Iowa State had its hopes of perfection dashed by Kansas. Following Saturday's loss by No. 4 Michigan and Wednesday's defeat of No. 10 Vanderbilt, only Arizona (17-0, 4-0 Big 12), No. 8 Nebraska and unranked Miami (Ohio) remain spotless.
With six undefeated squads being halved in less than a week, the Wildcats are likely even more aware of the bullseye they are wearing.
The team topped archrival Arizona State 89-82 at home Wednesday behind a career-high 25 points from Tobe Awaka, a 6-foot-8 senior playing in his second season in Tucson after two with Tennessee.
Awaka averages right at a double-double -- 10.8 points on 59.5% shooting and 9.8 rebounds -- and has grown his game with the Wildcats.
"Tremendous," Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd said of Awaka, a native of Hyde Park, N.Y. "I was talking to coach Ken (Nakagawa) about it today, and just how much better he's gotten is really impressive. That's what you get when you have a high character, intelligent, talented player."
The coach said he has learned plenty about his whole group through 17 games.
"We don't have hubris," Lloyd said after his squad pitchforked the Sun Devils. "We don't expect these games to come easy. ... So I really appreciate the battle tonight. I appreciate the competition. I probably would have been OK if we would have lost.
"So, yeah, I learned that our guys are here for it. You put them in tough situations, they're not afraid to make plays and find a way in a really tough game."
Koa Peat (15.3 points) leads a quintet of double-digit scorers: Brayden Burries (14.1), Jaden Bradley (13.5), Awaka and Motiejus Krivas (10.6).
A third-year conference member, the Knights (14-2, 3-1) have provided some fireworks at home in a brief Big 12 existence.
Coach Johnny Dawkins' squad topped No. 13 Texas A&M 64-61 in its home opener last season. In 2023-24, UCF crafted its biggest upset by shocking No. 3 Kansas 65-60 in its first-ever Big 12 home match.
Dawkins appreciated his team's showing against Kansas State in Wednesday's 82-73 victory, which the coach called a "really good road win."
UCF started strong and led 42-28 at the break. It then held off a strong push by the Wildcats to win its second straight game.
"Ultimately, it comes down to how you defend and rebound on the road," Dawkins said in a postgame interview on UCF's radio broadcast. "Our guys stood strong down the stretch and made the plays we needed to win.
"We'll celebrate this one for about two hours, but then it's on to Arizona. Quick turnaround, another great opponent, and another opportunity to grow."
Riley Kugel (14.8 points) had 19 for his fifth straight outing in double figures. Themus Fulks matched his average of 13 points and had 12 assists for the second straight game. Jamichael Stillwell (12.7) scored 18.
"Every win in this league means something," Dawkins said. "You just keep stacking them. We've got a long way to go, but I like how this team is coming together."