Arizona opens Big 12 play with win at Utah

 Arizona Wildcats Basketball

Arizona (14-0) took it to the Utah Utes (8-6) early in Salt Lake City today with a 58-point first half en route to a 97-78 win as the top-ranked Wildcats showed why they are deserving of the Number One ranking in the Associated Press College Basketball Poll.

Of course, 2nd-ranked Michigan is getting all the love east of the Rio Grande, but tell that to the Utes in the Jon M. Huntsman Center who witnessed the Arizona balanced attack for 40 minutes.

The Wildcats let up on the gas pedal in the second half as Tobe Awaka finished the day with another double-double. Awaka scored 18 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. Jaden Bradley was his usual self with 18 points and five assists, while Koa Peat scored 17 points, Ivan Kharchenkov made his first four shots of the game and ended up with 13, and Brayden Burries recorded his first double-double with 17 points and 11 boards.

Way to go, Wildcats!