Arizona’s Tommy Lloyd Reflects on Thrilling Victory Against BYU

In a closely contested matchup on January 26, 2026, the No. 1 Arizona Wildcats bested BYU with an exciting 86-83 victory at the Marriott Center in Provo. This win improved Arizona’s season record to an impressive 21-0, marking one of their best starts in program history.

Key Moments of the Game

With one minute left, Arizona led by 10 points, having once held a 19-point advantage earlier in the second half. However, BYU rallied fiercely, cutting the deficit with an 11-2 scoring run. The Cougars had the ball, trailing by just one point with only 12 seconds remaining.

Point guard Rob Wright III drove toward the basket for a potential game-winner but faced a critical block by Arizona’s Brayden Burries. Burries’ defensive play, combined with two successful free throws, ultimately sealed the victory for the Wildcats.

Player Highlights

• Brayden Burries: Led the Wildcats with 29 points and made pivotal defensive plays.
• Jaden Bradley: Contributed 26 points, his best performance against a conference opponent, shooting 10 of 15 from the field.
• AJ Dybantsa (BYU): Scored 24 points but struggled with efficiency, hitting only 6 of 24 shots.
• Rob Wright III: Limited to just 7 points on 3 of 16 shooting against Arizona’s strong defense.

Coaching Insights

Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd praised his team’s performance, saying, “BYU is a tough place to win, and we knew it was a real challenge. It was great to experience a game that came down to a defensive stop.” Lloyd highlighted Bradley’s growth over his college career and acknowledged the contribution of the coaching staff in preparing for the game.

Looking Ahead

This win marks Arizona’s first significant victory in the Big 12 conference, setting the stage for upcoming matchups against top-tier teams including Kansas and Texas Tech. Coach Lloyd expressed excitement about the team’s trajectory, noting, “We wanted this challenge for our team. It was a quick turnaround, but our guys and coaching staff prepared well.”

As the Wildcats seek to maintain their undefeated streak, they will face a tough rematch against BYU and other formidable opponents in the coming weeks. The season is shaping up to be an exhilarating journey for Arizona as they pursue conference supremacy.