Arizona basketball just pulled off something historic. The Wildcats jumped to No. 2 in the AP Top 25 poll on November 24, 2025. They’re now undefeated at 5-0. And here’s the big part: Arizona is just the third team in AP poll history to beat multiple Top-3 teams in its first five games of a season.
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🔥 Quick Facts:
- Arizona defeated No. 3 UConn 71-67 on November 19 in a road victory.
- The Wildcats also beat No. 3 Florida and No. 15 UCLA to start the season.
- Jaden Bradley has 21 points against UConn, including the go-ahead layup.
- Head coach Tommy Lloyd now has 117-33 record at Arizona with .780 winning percentage.
- Arizona received 11 first-place votes while Purdue stayed at No. 1 with 46 first-place votes.
How Arizona Pulled Off The Historic Run
This team came out firing. And they didn’t stop. Arizona started preseason ranked No. 13 in the AP Top 25. But after beating No. 3 Florida in Las Vegas, they jumped to No. 5. Then they knocked off No. 15 UCLA in Los Angeles. When they got that big road win at UConn, the voters took notice.
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What makes this run so special? Only Kansas in 1989 had accomplished what Arizona just did. Picture this: Jaden Bradley hit a layup with 16.3 seconds left to secure the UConn win. The Wildcats had blown a 13-point lead but refused to panic. That’s Tommy Lloyd basketball right there. Plus, Koa Peat grabbed his first career double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
“The Wildcats (5-0) are just the third team in Associated Press poll history to beat multiple Top 3 teams in the first five games of a season.”
The Key Players Stepping Up Big Time
Let’s talk about who made this happen. Jaden Bradley is playing like he’s got something to prove. He dropped 27 points against Florida, then 15 points against UCLA (with 13 coming in the final five minutes). Against UConn, he had 21 points and made 8 of 9 free throws. This freshman isn’t backing down from ranked opponents.
Ivan Kharchenkov played stellar defense on UConn’s star Alex Karaban, who managed just 8 points. Motiejus Krivas had a huge offensive rebound with a putback late in the game. And Tobe Awaka? He made four straight free throws in the final moments to ice it. This team doesn’t have one superstar. It has depth.
| Player Stats vs UConn | Points | Rebounds | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jaden Bradley | 21 | — | Go-ahead layup with 16.3 seconds left |
| Koa Peat | 16 | 12 | First career double-double |
| Motiejus Krivas | 9 | 14 | Career-high 14 rebounds |
What’s Next For Arizona?
Here’s the thing about being No. 2 right now. Arizona hosts Denver on Monday to kick off a three-game homestand. But the real test comes later. No. 22 Auburn visits McKale Center on December 6. This team isn’t taking anything for granted. They’ll keep grinding.
Tommy Lloyd has brought something special to Tucson. With 8 wins over AP Top-5 teams since arriving in 2021, he’s already changed the culture. The Wildcats shot 46.3% from the field against UConn. They dominated the paint, outscoring the Huskies 42-24 inside and grabbing 16 second-chance points. That’s sustainable basketball.
Can Arizona catch Purdue for No. 1? Maybe. The Boilermakers are 6-0 and got 46 first-place votes compared to Arizona’s 11. But the season is long. Plus, Arizona is now just the third team in AP poll history to do what they’ve done. That’s not a footnote. That’s historic.
Why This Arizona Team Feels Different
This isn’t a team built around one player or one superstar. Arizona has multiple ball handlers, solid shooters, and elite defense. Against UConn, they dominated the boards with four offensive rebounds leading to second-chance points. UConn was 8 of 25 from three and 9 of 18 from the line. Arizona didn’t let the stars shine. That’s smothering defense.
The Wildcats held Alex Karaban to 8 points. Yeah, Solo Ball scored 14 points but on 5 of 14 shooting with just 1 of 8 from deep. Tarris Reed was out with an ankle injury, but Arizona didn’t skip a beat. This team plays with swagger but also feels mature beyond its years.
Sources
- Associated Press – AP Top 25 College Basketball Poll Rankings
- Arizona Desert Swarm – Game Recap and Historic Achievement Coverage
- Arizona Sports – AP Poll Update and Team Analysis
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.