Arizona Dominates Auburn: Wildcats Roll to 97–68 Win in Tucson
- Joseph Klein
- Dec 7, 2025
- 3 min read
Arizona 97, Auburn 68 — McKale Memorial Center, Tucson, AZ
December 6, 2025
Auburn’s first-ever program visit to Tucson was anything but memorable for the Tigers. Arizona overwhelmed them from start to finish, delivering a 97–68 statement win and securing the largest ranked victory of the Tommy Lloyd era. With their fourth top-20 win already in hand, the Wildcats strengthened their case as the nation’s No. 1 team.
Arizona looked unstoppable. Their half-court execution, pace in transition, and punishing presence in the paint blew the game open early. Controlling the interior on both ends, outscoring Auburn 60–24 in the paint, the Wildcats imposed their will with ease. Four players reached double figures, and the offense consistently flowed through stars Koa Peat and Jaden Bradley, whose playmaking and versatility created opportunities via cuts, off-ball movement, and kick-out threes. Arizona delivered multiple knockout blows throughout the night, including a 20–5 run in the first half and a 20–4 burst to start the second.
Auburn momentarily showed signs of life with an 8–0 run to close the first half, trimming the deficit to 12, but Arizona immediately responded after the break and removed any doubt. The Tigers relied heavily on sophomore Tahaad Pettiford, whose shot creation kept them afloat early, but once Arizona began blitzing ball screens, Auburn’s offense sputtered. Defensively, the Tigers threw everything they had; man, 2–3 zone, full-court pressure, but nothing disrupted Arizona’s rhythm as the Wildcats executed their trademark Tommy Lloyd high-low offense with precision.
Game Flow & Key Moments
Mid-first half: Arizona’s defensive intensity spiked, fueling transition play and setting the tone for the rest of the game.
Start of second half: The Wildcats immediately crushed any momentum Auburn built before halftime, generating repeated paint touches and easy looks.
Auburn frustration: Visible bickering and disconnect among Auburn players led to breakdowns on both ends, reflected in low-effort possessions and stagnant, self-serving offense.
Prospect Evaluations
Tahaad Pettiford — G, Auburn
Pettiford was one of the lone bright spots for the Tigers. His craftiness, shiftiness, and dynamic shot creation allowed him to get looks off the dribble, often flowing from his signature step-back. While undersized by modern standards, his athleticism helps bridge the gap. His explosiveness on cuts and vertical pop continues to make him a dangerous creator, even in a challenging offensive environment.
Koa Peat — F, Arizona
Peat’s two-way presence was unmistakable. Offensively, his vision and anticipation made him the hub of Arizona’s interior-oriented attack, imposing himself inside the arc and facilitating clean looks for teammates like Bradley and Motiejus Krivas. Physically, he already holds an edge at the collegiate level, and evaluators remain confident that those tools will translate moving forward. Defensively, Peat’s strength and positioning allowed him to anchor the paint. Altogether, he showcased why he’s considered one of the top freshmen in the country.
Brayden Burries — G, Arizona
Burries flashed significant two-way upside. His length and strength at the guard position stood out immediately, and he brought energy and comfort in transition off the bench. His ability to create lanes and force rotations in the open floor separates him from many guards his age. Offensively, he continues trending upward, now averaging 17 points over his last three games.
Final Thoughts
Arizona further cemented itself as one of the nation’s elite teams, showcasing dominant paint play, connected defense, and impressive unselfishness. Auburn, meanwhile, looked disjointed offensively, with star Keyshawn Hall limited to 13 points on 27.3% shooting. While few expected a blowout, Arizona controlled both ends of the court from wire to wire, resulting in an emphatic and convincing victory.
