Brayden Burries scored a career-high 28 points, including 15 consecutive during the turning point of the second half, in No. 1 Arizona’s 96-75 drubbing of No. 12 Alabama on Saturday night at the Wildcats’ home away from home in the South — Birmingham, Ala.
Arizona is now 3-0 in Birmingham. The Wildcats beat Kansas and Providence at the same arena 29 years ago on the way to a national title.
The Wildcats (9-0) have now defeated five teams ranked in the top 20 at the time they played them — No. 3 Florida, No. 15 UCLA, No. 3 UConn, No. 20 Auburn and now No. 12 Alabama (7-3). They are the first team in AP poll history to beat five ranked teams in its first nine games.
Arizona is the 1st D-1 program since UMass in 1995-96 with at least 5 regular season non-conference wins over ranked opponents in a single season.
It ties Arizona’s single season record for most regular season wins over ranked non-con teams with them also having 5 in 1987-88. https://t.co/Bmfn0rFuWB
— Greg Mroz (@GregDMroz) December 14, 2025
The Crimson Tide, who are averaging 95.1 points a game, got a taste of their own medicine with Arizona
“The theme of the week was, ‘Early energy, early effort, every possession,'” Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd said during the postgame show on 1290-AM. “You can’t relax against a team like Alabama. And then have a great discipline. We knew we were comfortable playing at the pace they play with. We just wanted to play with a little more discipline and we wanted to crush them on the glass.
:”We really talked about endurance. We don’t talk about it too much in basketball, but against a team like Alabama, there’s so many possessions. It can get frenetic. Just having a competitive endurance. Our guys did a great job today.”
Arizona is averaging 98.5 points in its last four games.
103 vs. Denver
98 vs. Norfolk State
97 vs. Auburn
96 vs. Alabama— Javier Morales (@JavierJMorales) December 14, 2025
A 14-1 run by Arizona in the second half, with Jaden Bradley and Koa Peat on the bench with three fouls each, proved to be the difference.
Burries, playing at the point in place of Bradley, scored the last seven points of the run that gave Arizona a 67-49 lead with 11:22 left.
The seven points were the beginning of his personal 15-point run that included three 3-pointers.
The last 3-pointer by Burries put Arizona ahead 75-54 with 9:00 remaining.
Dwayne Aristode broke Burries’ 15-point run with a 3-pointer, his lone shot made in the game.
Arizona finished 10 of 26 from 3-point range. Alabama, known for its propensity for 3-pointers, made only two more and finished 12 of 32.
The Wildcats held their own against Alabama in that regard and thoroughly dominated the Crimson Tide around the basket.
Arizona outrebounded Alabama 52-32.
Tobe Awaka and Motiejus Krivas almost outrebounded the Crimson Tide. They combined for 29 — 15 by Awaka and 14 by Krivas.
Krivas, who had 14 points, achieved his first career double-double.
The Wildcats outscored Alabama 32-10 in the paint in the second half.
Bradley still had an effective game with 13 points, seven assists and five rebounds in 31 minutes.
The steady play of Burries and Bradley at the point translated into Arizona committing only four turnovers in the game.
Ivan Karchenkov had five steals and finished with 10 points.
Anthony Dell’Orso contributed 13 points.
Alabama was led by Labaron Philon’s 24 points and Latrell Wrightsell Jr. added 21. They were a combined 15 of 28 from the field, but their teammates were 10 of 28.
Arizona next hosts Abilene Christian on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
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