Arizona Clinches Big 12 Basketball Title
The Arizona Wildcats clinched the Big 12 regular-season title with a win over Iowa State, securing their standing as one of the premier programs heading into March Madness. The victory came against a tough Cyclones squad and adds another championship to Arizona's storied basketball history. Their momentum is peaking at the right time as the NCAA tournament approaches.
The 73-57 victory over Iowa State marked the Arizona Wildcats' first-ever Big 12 regular-season title, accomplishing the feat in just their second season in the conference. This championship represents the 41st conference title in the program's history and the third regular-season conference championship in five years under head coach Tommy Lloyd. The win was a landmark achievement for head coach Tommy Lloyd, who earned his 140th career victory. This sets a new NCAA record for the most wins by a coach in their first five seasons, surpassing the previous record held by Brad Stevens. On a night celebrating its seniors, Arizona's upperclassmen led the charge. Senior Jaden Bradley led all scorers with 17 points, while fellow senior Tobe Awaka recorded a double-double with 10 points and 15 rebounds. Arizona's defense was a key factor in the victory, holding a potent Iowa State offense to just 29.2% shooting from the field. The Wildcats' bench also played a significant role, outscoring the Cyclones' reserves 28-17. With the outright Big 12 title secured, the Wildcats have earned the No. 1 seed in the upcoming Phillips 66 Big 12 Men's Basketball Tournament in Kansas City. Their dominant regular season, finishing with a 28-2 overall record and a 15-2 conference record, positions them as a top contender for the national championship.
