‘That’s what you live for:’ No. 13 BYU faces toughest test yet in looking to knock off undefeated, No. 1-ranked Arizona

There’s just something about January 26 games at the Marriott Center.

Jan. 26, 2011 was arguably the most iconic night in the arena’s history, as Jimmer Fredette’s 43 points led BYU to upset No. 4-ranked, 20-0 San Diego State.

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On Monday, exactly 15 years to the day from Fredette’s legacy performance, another 20-0 squad, No. 1 Arizona, will come to play in Provo, setting the stage for another potential all-time electric atmosphere at the Marriott Center.

And luckily for the Cougars, they have another generational talent in AJ Dybantsa leading their attempt for an upset.

“That was one of the reasons why I picked BYU, just to be able to play in these different type of (Big 12) environments that I know get loud,” Dybantsa said.

“I know (Texas) Tech gets loud, at Arizona, at Kansas, and I know that (the Marriott Center) gets loud. I didn’t want to duck any smoke. I just wanted to play the best basketball, I think, in the best league.”

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No. 13 BYU, fresh off a rivalry win over Utah, has played plenty of strong competition throughout the season, as evidenced by the Cougars’ eight combined Quad 1/2 wins already.

But Arizona presents a whole different beast.

Statistically, the Wildcats have both the best offense and defense in the Big 12. They’ve defeated five ranked foes — including No. 3 UConn on the road and defending national champion Florida in the season opener — and have yet to be toppled.

Remember those eight Quad 1/2 wins for BYU? Arizona has eight Quad 1 wins alone, and facing the Wildcats will be the first of five consecutive upcoming Quad 1 opportunities for the Cougars.

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It’s the first time BYU has hosted the No. 1 team in the nation since Feb. 2, 2017, when Gonzaga came into town for a 85-75 victory. A month later, the Cougars went up to Spokane and stunned the 29-0 Bulldogs.

BYU and Arizona most recently met last February in Tucson, when a controversial foul call in the final seconds put Richie Saunders at the…

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Publish date : 2026-01-26 02:16:00

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