Arizona asserted its dominance once again, handing Cincinnati a 77-51 defeat at the McKale Memorial Center. The Wildcats, now 21-0, showed their depth and talent, with Motiejus Krivas leading the charge. The forward posted an impressive 17 points and 9 rebounds, setting the tone for Arizona's convincing victory. Cincinnati's Baba Miller tried to keep his team in the game, scoring 14 points and grabbing 6 rebounds, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Wildcats' balanced attack.
At halftime, Arizona held a 33-27 lead, but it was in the second half that they truly pulled away. The Wildcats outscored the Bearcats 44-24 in the final 20 minutes, with Ivan Kharchenkov and Koa Peat contributing 14 and 13 points, respectively. Arizona's offense was clicking on all cylinders, and their defense was equally impressive, limiting Cincinnati to just 24 points in the second half.
CHD Scout had predicted an Arizona win by 10.5 points, and while the Wildcats exceeded that margin, the prediction was correct in identifying the outcome. The actual score of 77-51 was a far cry from the predicted 81-68, but the end result was the same: an Arizona victory.
CHD Scout Report Card
CORRECTPredicted
Final
The game was a Quad 3 opportunity for Arizona, and they made the most of it, earning a convincing win over a Cincinnati team that, despite its 10-10 record, posed a challenge. For the Bearcats, this was a Quad 1 game, and the loss will likely have implications for their tournament resume. Cincinnati's current Net ranking of 78 will likely take a hit, making their path to the NCAA Tournament even more difficult.
As for Arizona, this win reinforces their position as one of the top teams in the country. Their undefeated record and impressive performance against Cincinnati will keep them at the top of the rankings. The Wildcats' ability to dominate games on both ends of the floor is a reflection of their depth and talent, and they will be a formidable opponent for any team they face.
This result will have real consequences for both teams' tournament chances. Arizona's win solidifies their position as a top seed, while Cincinnati's loss will make it even more challenging for them to secure an at-large bid. As the season progresses, the Bearcats must regroup and focus on winning their remaining games to improve their tournament prospects. For now, Arizona remains undefeated and poised for a deep run in the NCAA Tournament.