Auburn basketball is set to face No. 2 Arizona in its first true road game of the 2025 season.
The Tigers have not been successful against AP top-3 teams after falling to No. 1 Houston and No. 3 Michigan already. However, Auburn ranks in the top 50 averaging 87.9 points per game.
“I talked about this in Players Era. Short preps sometimes are a good thing because you’re not overthinking it, and you’re just giving them a couple things to kind of play by and just play by our rules and fly around,” Auburn coach Steven Pearl said Thursday.”
Here’s a look at the Arizona Wildcats ahead of tonight’s matchup:
AUBURN, ALABAMA – DECEMBER 3: Head coach Steven Pearl of Auburn Tigers reacts to a play during the first half against the NC State Wolfpack at Neville Arena on December 3, 2025 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Stew Milne/Getty Images)Getty Images
The team
The Arizona Wildcats currently sit at 7-0 on the season after key victories over Florida, UConn and UCLA. The Wildcats have only allowed 67.0 points per game and are averaging 87.3 points in through seven games.
Arizona averages 42.6 rebounds in the frontcourt and 19.0 assists per game from its backcourt, which ties for 30th in the country.
The Wildcats are also ranked in the top 15 in KenPom’s offensive and defensive efficiency rankings.
“One of the best rebounding teams in the country. They score a lot more from two than they do from three. So, they really rely on the two, use their size to their advantage,” Pearl said. “They’re one of four teams in the country that’s top 12 in offensive and defensive efficiency with Duke Michigan and Iowa State.”
Players to watch
Starting guard Jaden Bradley has been a key contributor on both sides of the floor for the Wildcats. He’s averaging 14.3 points, 3.7 assists and a team high 1.9 steals this season.
ESPN analyst Seth Greenberg told AL.com Friday that slowing down Bradley will be a massive key in Auburn’s gameplan.
“You got to keep Jaden Bradley out of the lane. Like, at the end of games, in the two biggest wins Arizona’s had this year in the last four minutes of game he’s dominated the game,” Greenberg said.
5-star freshman Koa Peat has lived up to the hype already, averaging 15.6 points while shooting 53.9% from the floor.
In his first collegiate game he scored 30 points against the reigning national champion Florida Gators.
“If you look at their numbers, they’re really good everywhere. It’s going to be hard to expose their weaknesses because they don’t have a ton of them,” Pearl added. “They don’t have a ton of holes. That’s why they’re such a good team and that’s why they’ve won all their games so far this year.”
The matchup between Auburn and Arizona is set for 9 p.m. CT tonight. The game will be televised on ESPN.
