U of A basketball crushes Bethune-Cookman 107-71, Burries leads Wildcats to best start ever under Tommy Lloyd

U of A basketball crushed Bethune-Cookman 107-71 on December 22 to reach an undefeated 12-0 record, marking the best start in Tommy Lloyd’s five seasons as Arizona head coach. Brayden Burries led the charge with 20 points, while the Wildcats dominated McKale Center and their holiday break streak continues to build momentum.

Burries Shines as Arizona Overcomes Slow Start

Brayden Burries exploded in the second half, scoring 18 of his 20 points after Arizona stumbled early against Bethune-Cookman. The Wildcats played careless with turnovers in the opening minutes, allowing the visitors to stay close despite being vastly outmatched talent-wise.

Arizona responded by ratcheting up defensive intensity midway through the first half. A 14-2 run extended the lead to 16 points, and the Wildcats led 49-35 at halftime. Burries’ aggression in the paint made Bethune-Cookman’s defense collapse, giving Arizona rhythm on both ends by halftime break.

The McDonald’s All-American freshman finished shooting efficiently, proving why Tommy Lloyd invested so heavily in recruiting him and fellow top 2025 prospect Koa Peat. Arizona’s long range of weapons in the frontcourt overwhelmed the MEAC opponent.

Kharchenkov Dominates Both Ends as Support Cast Shines

Ivan Kharchenkov added 14 points while recording 5 steals from his forward position, showcasing the defensive versatility Tommy Lloyd has built into this roster. The German freshman made major contributions without needing to dominate scoring, allowing Burries and Jaden Bradley to handle offensive creation.

Jaden Bradley, Arizona’s talented point guard, managed 11 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals in just one game. The combination of his playmaking and Burries’ scoring punch simplified Arizona’s offensive sets during their dominant second half surge. Bethune-Cookman had no answers for Arizona’s depth at every position.

Arizona’s 50 points in the paint and 20 additional rebounds crushed Bethune-Cookman’s frontcourt. The Wildcats converted 36 points off 22 Bethune-Cookman turnovers, proving transition offense is still Arizona’s most dangerous weapon entering conference play.

Arizona Statistics Prove Dominance Over MEAC Opponent

Stat Category	Arizona	Bethune-Cookman
Final Score	107	71
Field Goal %	57%	41.2%
Points in Paint	50	28
Turnovers Forced	—	22
Points Off Turnovers	36	14
Rebounds	20+ edge	Outrebounded

Lloyd’s Best Start Signals Danger in Big 12 Competition Ahead

Tommy Lloyd’s Arizona squad matches the 11-0 start from 2021-22, surpassing it with a 12-0 record heading into their Christmas break. The 2021-22 team finished 33-4 before losing to Houston in the Sweet 16 despite being a No. 1 seed nationally. Lloyd’s early success this season suggests his five-year program has reached another elite tier.

Arizona’s seven consecutive wins by 20+ points matches a streak that hasn’t been replicated since 1929, according to Sportradar metrics. The Wildcats are one of six remaining undefeated teams in Division I, competing against Iowa State for pole position in the Big 12 Conference standings. Arizona plays in a loaded conference with Houston, Oklahoma State, and BYU all with elite records.

Lloyd’s program success has translated into recruiting stars like Burries and Peat, who are finally paying dividends in December. The holiday break gives Arizona time to rest before their final non-conference game on December 29 against South Dakota State. Big 12 play looms large, where Arizona’s elite defense and scoring depth will face legitimate challenges for the first time this season.

What Does Arizona’s Dominant Victory Mean for Their March Madness Hopes?

Bethune-Cookman kept pace early, shooting 12 of 24 from the floor and making five 3-pointers in the first half despite committing 14 turnovers. Jordan Johnson led the Wildcats with 18 points, but his team couldn’t match Arizona’s athleticism or coaching adjustments after halftime.

Arizona made eight of its first nine shots to start the second half, stretching the lead to 71-49 and putting the game away by halftime’s final moments. The Wildcats’ pace and intensity in transition proved decisive, with Kharchenkov’s defense and Bradley’s ball handling creating space for scorers like Burries to operate freely in space.

Lloyd’s elite coaching has turned Arizona into a national title contender again after last season’s struggles. The combination of elite recruiting, proven defensive principles, and unselfish ball movement should position the Wildcats as serious March contenders when Big 12 competition begins after the holiday break on December 29 against South Dakota State.

Sources

• ESPN — Arizona 107-71 Bethune-Cookman game recap and box score verification
• CBS Sports — Brayden Burries 20-point performance and team statistics analysis
• AP / WTOP — Official game summary and Associated Press reporting on best start claims