3. Arizona (32-2)
Ridiculously fantastic basketball has come out of this team from Tucson throughout the year and the Wildcats show no signs of stopping. The 23-0 start itself was impressive until a tough week in the middle of February, but that’s the only time Arizona has slipped up. They had a really strong stretch to end the regular season with wins over BYU, Houston, Iowa State, and Kansas and were demonstrative in the Big 12 Tournament this week.
We first saw them in the quarterfinals in an 81-59 win against UCF, a great game that featured 21 points from Brayden Burries. Friday’s semifinal was one of the most intense endings of the year in an 82-80 win over Iowa State thanks to Jaden Bradley’s game-winning shot. Anthony Dell’Orso was also huge in that win with 26 points off the bench. In the Big 12 title game, Arizona did just enough to knock off Houston again, winning 79-74 to take the conference crown. Burries and Koa Peat both had 21 points apiece.
In just their second year in the conference Arizona has their first Big 12 Tournament title. An emphatic, successful season continues with another great week and this team is on one of the most impressive 9-game winning streaks we’ve seen all year long. The Wildcats have the potential to cut down more nets next month especially if the offense keeps producing like this.