Arizona Dominates West Virginia 88-53, Remains Undefeated

Arizona's impressive start to the season continued as they dismantled West Virginia 88-53 at the McKale Memorial Center. The Wildcats, now 20-0, asserted their dominance from the opening tip, taking a 43-23 lead into halftime. Brayden Burries led the charge, scoring 22 points and dishing out 7 assists, while Koa Peat added 17 points and 7 rebounds.

The Mountaineers, who fell to 13-7, struggled to find their rhythm, shooting just 30% from the field. Chance Moore was the lone bright spot for West Virginia, scoring 12 points, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Wildcats' balanced attack. Arizona's defense was stifling, holding West Virginia to just 23 points in the first half, including a 10-minute stretch where they managed only 2 points.

The second half was more of the same, as Arizona continued to push the pace, outscoring West Virginia 45-30. The Wildcats' offense was clicking on all cylinders, with Anthony Dell'Orso chipping in 12 points. Arizona's 35-point margin of victory was a far cry from the 8.7-point advantage predicted by CHD Scout, but the outcome was never in doubt.

Burries' performance was particularly impressive, as he seemed to be everywhere on the court, scoring from both inside and outside the arc. His 7 assists were a reflection of his court vision and ability to set up his teammates for easy baskets. Peat, meanwhile, was a force in the paint, using his athleticism to finish at the rim and grab rebounds in traffic.

The win was a Quadrant 2 victory for Arizona, while West Virginia suffered a Quadrant 1 loss. For the Wildcats, the result reinforces their position as one of the top teams in the country, with a strong resume that includes several impressive wins. The loss, on the other hand, is a setback for West Virginia, but they can take solace in the fact that it was a Quadrant 1 game, which will still carry some weight when it comes to tournament selection.

As the season wears on, Arizona want to continue their undefeated streak, while West Virginia will aim to bounce back from this disappointing loss. For now, the Wildcats can celebrate another dominant performance, one that solidifies their position as a national title contender. With their undefeated record still intact, Arizona's tournament chances continue to look strong, and they will likely remain a top seed in the eyes of the selection committee.