Arizona Claims Big 12 Title
No. 2 Arizona clinched the outright Big 12 title with a key win over Iowa State. Coach Lloyd pushed back on claims his team is "soft" and praised his squad's toughness in the decisive victory as the Wildcats position themselves for a high seed in March Madness.
The 73-57 victory over Iowa State secured Arizona's first-ever Big 12 regular-season title, achieving the feat in just their second year as a member of the conference. This marks the program's 32nd regular-season conference championship in its history and the third under coach Tommy Lloyd in five years. Before their move, the Wildcats also claimed the final Pac-12 regular-season championship in the 2023-2024 season, punctuating their long-standing dominance in that conference. Their transition to the more physical Big 12 has been remarkably successful, culminating in a title-clinching performance on their senior night. The win was a statement against a top-10 Iowa State team known for its tough defensive identity. Arizona held the Cyclones to just 29% shooting from the field and dominated the boards with a 40-33 rebounding advantage. Senior Tobe Awaka was a force on the glass, recording a double-double with 10 points and 15 rebounds. Senior guard Jaden Bradley led all Arizona scorers with 17 points, while junior center Motiejus Krivas added 13. The Wildcats' defense was a key factor, holding Iowa State's top two scorers, Joshua Jefferson and Milan Momcilovic, to a combined 4-for-25 shooting from the field. Coach Lloyd's passionate defense of his team's toughness is backed by strong statistical evidence. Throughout his tenure, the Wildcats have consistently ranked among the nation's best in rebounding and field goal percentage defense. This season, Arizona ranks third nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency, according to KenPom metrics. With the Big 12 regular-season crown secured, Arizona has solidified its position as a top contender for the NCAA Tournament. Multiple bracketology experts project the Wildcats to earn a No. 1 seed in the West Region, setting them up for a favorable path in March Madness.
