The second leg of CBS’s Saturday tripleheader will showcase a highly anticipated clash between the No. 1 ranked Arizona Wildcats and the West Virginia Mountaineers. Arizona, standing as one of only three undefeated teams in Division I basketball, has maintained its position at the top of the AP Top 25 poll for an impressive seven consecutive weeks.
Heading into the weekend, Arizona boasts a flawless record of 19-0, including a perfect 6-0 in Big 12 play, after a commanding 77-51 victory over Cincinnati. The Wildcats are joined by Houston, which is also unbeaten in the conference at 5-0. The two teams will meet once this season, with their matchup scheduled for February 21.
West Virginia comes into the game with a record of 13-6 after a strong 75-63 win against Arizona State. The Mountaineers have found their rhythm recently, winning four of their last five games, including a notable victory over Kansas at home. This contest against Arizona marks West Virginia’s fourth encounter with a Top 25 opponent this season, having previously faced tough competition, resulting in a 1-2 record against ranked teams.
Fans can tune in to watch Arizona take on West Virginia on Saturday, January 24th, at 2 p.m. ET from McKale Memorial Center in Tucson, Arizona. The game will be broadcasted on CBS and live-streamed via CBSSports.com and the CBS Sports App.
Arizona’s success is partially attributed to its impressive first-year players, Koa Peat and Brayden Burries, who have made significant contributions to the team. Peat, who has started every game, recorded 30 points in what was one of the most remarkable debuts in college basketball history against reigning champions Florida. Burries has been consistently productive, recently stepping up his performance to average 14.2 points and 4.4 rebounds per game.
For West Virginia, this game offers an opportunity to make a statement against a ranked team, though history poses a challenge. The Mountaineers have struggled on the road against ranked opponents, suffering five straight losses, including a disappointing record of 1-6 away from home this season.
Arizona’s coach, Tommy Lloyd, has played a crucial role in this historic start, moving the team toward its best record in 12 years. The Wildcats are currently riding a 19-game winning streak, the third-longest in the country. A victory against West Virginia would mark another milestone for Lloyd, enabling him to secure his fifth consecutive season with at least 20 wins—an achievement unmatched by any other coach in Arizona’s history.
As for predictions, despite West Virginia’s recent improvements and tough losses against top teams, it remains to be seen whether they can effectively counter Arizona’s formidable offense, which ranks No. 7 in the nation with an average of 89.9 points per game. The contest promises to be an exciting match, with the Mountaineers aiming to keep it competitive.