The Arizona Wildcats men’s basketball team is on the verge of making history, and the excitement is palpable across the college hoops landscape. On January 31, 2026, the top-ranked Wildcats traveled to Desert Financial Arena in Tempe, Arizona, to face their in-state rivals, the Arizona State Sun Devils, in a much-anticipated matchup that could set a new program record for the best start to a season. With tipoff scheduled for 12 p.m. MT and the eyes of the nation fixed on TNT’s broadcast, this game has all the makings of a classic.
Arizona entered the contest with a sparkling 21-0 record, undefeated in the 2025-26 campaign and sitting atop the AP Poll, KenPom, and NET rankings. Their dominance has been nothing short of spectacular. The Wildcats have racked up nine Quad 1 victories and three Quad 2 wins, including six triumphs over ranked opponents. This résumé has them not only as the consensus No. 1 team in the country but also as one of just two remaining unbeaten teams nationwide—the other being No. 24 Miami (Ohio).
The stakes in Tempe couldn’t be higher. Arizona already matched the program’s best-ever start—set during the 2013-14 season—and now stands just one win away from breaking a century-old record for the longest winning streak in school history, which stretches back to the 1914-1917 teams. The Wildcats’ previous meeting with the Sun Devils this season, an 89-82 victory in Tucson on January 14, provided a taste of the intensity fans could expect from this rivalry showdown.
Oddsmakers and analytics alike favored Arizona heading into the game. According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Wildcats were a 15.5-point favorite, with an over/under set at 162.5 points. KenPom.com, a respected analytics site, gave Arizona a whopping 92 percent chance of emerging victorious. But as any college basketball fan knows, rivalry games can defy expectations, and the Sun Devils would surely relish the chance to play spoiler on their home court.
The Wildcats’ remarkable run has been built on a unique blend of youthful exuberance and veteran savvy. Head coach Tommy Lloyd has orchestrated a lineup that features multiple freshmen—most notably Ivan Kharchenkov, Brayden Burries, and Koa Peat—alongside experienced leaders like Jaden Bradley and Tobe Awaka. This roster construction has given Arizona a dynamic edge, allowing them to adapt to any challenge thrown their way.
Freshman forward Ivan Kharchenkov, who has quickly become a key contributor, summed up the team’s mindset as they chase history. “I think we’re just going game by game,” Kharchenkov said. “Trying to win every game, not even looking at the record. Even myself, I’m not looking at the opposing team’s record, because I don’t really care, I just look at the players that they’ve got. Especially if they are in the Big 12, they are probably good players, so we’ve got to prepare well for them. We’re just trying to get better. We’re going to get better, get back to our basics, and that is what got us here.”
This laser focus has served Arizona well, particularly as the pressure mounts with each passing victory. The Wildcats’ ability to block out the noise and concentrate on their fundamentals has been a recurring theme throughout the season. Their chemistry, built on the interplay between fresh faces and seasoned returners, has made them one of the most formidable teams in the country.
Arizona’s success hasn’t gone unnoticed. With their undefeated record and consistent performances against top-tier competition, they are widely projected as a top seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats are eyeing their second national championship in program history, and the belief within the locker room is that they have all the necessary ingredients to make that dream a reality.
The Wildcats’ journey has also been marked by individual milestones and accolades. Freshmen like Kharchenkov, Burries, and Peat have drawn attention for their poise and production on the court, while veterans such as Bradley and Awaka have provided the steady leadership crucial for navigating the rigors of a long season. This balance has allowed Arizona to weather tough stretches and emerge victorious in high-pressure situations, including their previous win over ASU.
As the Wildcats prepared to take the court in Tempe, fans and analysts alike were eager to see if they could maintain their perfect record. The game’s broadcast team—Spero Dedes on play-by-play, Greg Anthony as analyst, and Jared Greenberg on the sideline—ensured viewers wouldn’t miss a moment of the action. For those following along from afar, updates were available via social media accounts like @AZDesertSwarm and @ArizonaMBB, as well as the editorial insights of Brian Pedersen (@realBJP).
With the Wildcats on the cusp of history, the atmosphere in Desert Financial Arena was electric. Arizona State, no stranger to playing the role of underdog in this rivalry, was determined to put up a fight. The Sun Devils, backed by a raucous home crowd, aimed to disrupt Arizona’s rhythm and hand their rivals a first loss of the season. For Arizona, the challenge was to remain composed, stick to their game plan, and continue the habits that have brought them this far.
Looking back at Arizona’s journey to this point, it’s clear that their success is no accident. The combination of elite talent, strategic coaching, and a relentless work ethic has propelled the Wildcats to the pinnacle of college basketball. Each game has presented new hurdles, but Arizona has consistently risen to the occasion, turning potential stumbling blocks into stepping stones toward greatness.
As the 2025-26 season enters its critical stretch, the Wildcats’ pursuit of perfection has become one of the defining stories in the sport. With a target squarely on their backs, Arizona continues to embrace the pressure, viewing it as an opportunity rather than a burden. Their unwavering focus—best captured in Kharchenkov’s words—remains their guiding principle.
With the Arizona Wildcats and ASU Sun Devils locked in battle in Tempe, the outcome is still unfolding. One thing’s for certain: the Wildcats’ quest for history is far from over, and college basketball fans everywhere are watching with bated breath to see just how far this remarkable team can go.