Arizona and Alabama Score Big Wins in College Basketball

There were a couple of good non conference matchups involving highly ranked teams in college basketball on November 19th.

In Storrs, Connecticut, Jaden Bradley scored 21 points to lead #4 Arizona to a 73-67 win over #3 Connecticut. Koa Peat scored 16 and had 12 rebounds for the Wildcats. Four of UCONN’s starters scored in double figures led by Eric Reibe with 15. The Huskies shot just 50% from the free throw line (9-18) while the Wildcats hit 76% (19-25). Missing free throws can hurt, especially in a close game. Arizona improved to 5-0 while UCONN was dealt its first loss (4-1).

Meanwhile, in Chicago, Labaron Philon scored 24 to lead #11 Alabama to a 90-86 win over #8 Illinois. The Crimson Tide was coming off an 87-80 loss to then #2 (and now #1 Purdue) on November 13th. Alabama (3-1) has just about as rough a schedule to open the season as you’ll find anywhere. Before the Purdue game, the Tide beat then #5 St. Johns 103-96 and will conclude a string of four Top 25 teams in a row when they play #13 Gonzaga in Las Vegas on November 24th. Illinois is now 4-1.