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Arizona women’s basketball dominated by UCLA in final regular season Pac-12 game

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Arizona women’s basketball dominated by UCLA in final regular season Pac-12 game


The final regular season Pac-12 women’s basketball game in McKale Center was something to write home for the visiting UCLA Bruins.

“I’m going to forget about that one really fast,” Arizona Wildcats head coach Adia Barnes said. “That was a tough game. We did not play well. All credit to UCLA. They’re really good. I wouldn’t be surprised it they’re not in the Final Four. Coach (Cori) Close has done an incredible job. She has a really deep, good team that has—I don’t think they have a lot of weaknesses.”

Arizona played lights-out before falling to USC in double overtime on Thursday night. On Saturday, they were never in it against UCLA, losing 61-41. It was the fifth straight game that the Bruins held their opponents to 55 points or less, including games against Colorado and Utah.

“If I look at the whole season, I’d say we really got killed by Stanford here, played a bad game at Oregon, and then this,” Barnes said. “These are the three worst losses of the year as far as performance.”

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The Bruins controlled things on both ends of the floor from the first whistle. They kept Arizona from scoring until the 4:52 mark in the first quarter. Fifth-year senior Helena Pueyo, playing in her last regular season home game, hit the two-pointer that cut UCLA’s lead to 13-2.

It looked like Arizona had settled down. The Wildcats cut the UCLA lead to six with 1:52 to go in the opening period. That just woke up the Bruins, who pushed it back to double digits with two straight buckets.

“When they punched us we could not bounce back,” Barnes said. “They’re just really good and we played really bad. I thought we were very tight. I don’t know why we were so tight. It looked like we had the pressure to win and we had no pressure, but we played with a lot of tension.”

Barnes said she felt that fifth-year senior Esmery Martinez was especially tight. Martinez was obviously emotional, even after the game.

“I don’t think it was a physical,” Barnes said. “I think it was a mental stress and tightness and emotions…I kind of knew Esmery would probably play like this because the last week, she’s been down. So it was just…a struggle.”

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Early in the season, UCLA was a dominant team. The Bruins opened the season with 14 straight wins against a strong schedule. Then things got difficult in the early part of conference play.

The Bruins had some tough opponents. Lauren Betts was away from the team for a while. Izzy Anstey retired from basketball. Anglea Dugalic and Lina Sonstag went to play with their national teams in Olympic qualifying. And the Bruins looked out of sorts.

They lost four games between Jan. 14 and Feb. 4.

Betts returned on Feb. 9 for the first matchup between Arizona and UCLA. The Bruins won by eight in Pauley Pavilion. They’ve only lost to No. 11 Oregon State since, going on a 7-1 run, and are once again looking like the class of the Pac-12 and a possible Final Four team.

It was a rough way for Arizona to end the regular season and send three seniors out. The team honored Pueyo, Martinez, and Isis Beh before the game.

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With just seconds to go and their team destined to lose, most of the 7,845 fans were still in attendance. They stood and chanted, “U-of-A! U-of-A!” They were still there after the final buzzer when Barnes addressed them.

“You guys never give up on us,” Barnes said to the crowd. “We were getting our ass kicked tonight. You guys didn’t walk out…You always stay till the end and supported us through losses.”

The seniors expressed similar feelings about their teammates, coaches, and community after the game.

“For me, I couldn’t have picked a better place to finish my career,” Beh said. “I really love the fans here, my coaches, and my teammates.”

For Martinez, it was almost too much to talk about. She sat staring at the ground, barely able to speak before the tears started.

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“I’m really sad now,” Martinez said. “Arizona really took me and made me feel okay, I was home. I’m not from here. They made me feel like I was welcome here. And the players are family—like Helena, she’s my sister.”

Pueyo led the Wildcats with 16 points. She added 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block, and 6 steals. After playing 50 minutes against USC, Barnes was able to “limit” her to 36 on Saturday. She wasn’t thinking about any of that after the game.

In a very rare occurrence, freshman Breya Cunningham was not saddled with foul trouble. The post player was on the floor for a few seconds shy of 30 minutes. She has only hit the 30-minute mark once this season, going 33 minutes against Oregon State in a double-overtime game on Jan. 12.

Pueyo wasn’t thinking about anyone’s stats after the game. Instead, it was her five-year journey and the fans standing to cheer her as she checked out for the last time.

“For me, it means everything,” Pueyo said. “Five years here. It’s been my house for five years, my family. I love Adia. I love Salvo (Coppa). They came all the way to Spain to try to get me here. It’s a really special place. I love it. I know it’s sad because it wasn’t our best basketball, but it was just my emotions…I love this program. I love the fans and this has been a pleasure for me.”

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Arizona next plays in Las Vegas in its final Pac-12 Women’s Basketball Tournament. The Wildcats are the No. 7 seed and will face No. 10 seed Washington at 7 p.m. MST on Wednesday, Mar. 6. The team will hold a meet and greet for the fans on Tuesday, Mar. 5 in Vegas.



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Arizona State Adds Mid-Season Game Changer: Euro Juniors Champion Albane Cachot

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Arizona State Adds Mid-Season Game Changer: Euro Juniors Champion Albane Cachot


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18-year-old Albane Cachot from Toulouse, France, has joined the Arizona State University women’s swimming and diving team mid-season. The Dauphins Toulouse OEC (the same club that produced Léon Marchand) product wasted no time adapting to short-course yards, winning the 50/100/200 free events in her first meet at the Mona Plummer Aquatic Center.

Cachot made a name for herself in 2024, when she won the 50 free (25.45), 100 free (54.65), 200 free (1:59.18), and 50 fly (26.57) at the French Junior Championships in April. Two months later, she finaled in all four events at the French Elite Championships, placing 10th in the 50 free (25.43), 5th in the 100 free (54.61), 4th in the 200 free (2:00.34), and 7th in the 50 fly (26.95).

In 2025, she represented France at both the European Junior Championships in Šamorín, Slovakia, and the World Aquatics Championships in Singapore. At Euro Juniors, she won gold in the women’s 100 free, clocking a lifetime-best 54.17. She also finished 7th in the 50 free (25.48) and 7th in the 200 free (2:00.46), and 5th in the 50 fly (26.51, a PB). Cachot swam on 3 of France’s relays at World Championships (women’s 4×100 free, mixed 4×100 free, and mixed 4×100 medley). She earned a bronze medal for her prelims role in France’s mixed 400 medley relay, and she joined Beryl Gastaldello, Marina Jehl, and Marie Wattel in the women’s 400 free relay final that placed 5th with a national record-breaking time of 3:34.62.

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In her short-course yards debut on January 3 at the dual meet with Grand Canyon, Cachot put up a team-leading time in the 50 free (22.43). She ranks 3rd in the 200 free (1:46.38) behind Jordan Greber (1:45.14) and Grace Lindberg (1:45.43) and 4th in the 100 free (49.11) behind Greber (48.81), Shane Golland (48.98), and Gerda Szilagyi (49.05). Greber, Lindberg, and Golland achieved their times during the CSCAA Dual Challenges.

The CSCAA challenge meets was also where ASU notched their fastest relay times of the season so far. Without speculating as to what her flying start times might be, it is clear that even her flat start SCY times would have lowered the Sun Devils’ free relay times by a couple of tenths in the 4×50 and 4×100 and by 3 seconds in the 4×200. And her converted LCM times would have been of even greater value.

Best SCY times:

  • 50 free – 22.43
  • 100 free – 49.11
  • 200 free – 1:46.38

Best LCM times (converted):

  • 50 free – 25.31 (22.08)
  • 100 free – 54.17 (47.36)
  • 200 free – 1:59.18 (1:44.48)
  • 50 fly – 26.51 (23.25)

Cachot is joining Arizona State’s class of 2029 with Alexia Sotomayor, Bella Scopel Tramontana, Cali Watts, Eleaunah Phillips, Jessie Carlson, Marley Lovick, and Ursula Ott. Avery Spade was also new this season, transferring in from Indiana.

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Predicting Where Former Arizona State Star Lands

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Predicting Where Former Arizona State Star Lands


TEMPE — The Sam Leavitt saga has been one that has split the Arizona State fanbase.

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While some have been steadfast in bringing up the contributions that the two-year star poured into the program, others have been emphatic in pointing out the optics of the exit appearing less-than-ideal in a point of critique.

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Regardless, the Sun Devils have moved on – with Kentucky transfer Cutter Boley and Michigan transfer Mikey Keense being the two exterior options that were brought in to signify a new era.

Now, Leavitt continues to seek a new college home for what might be his last season of collegiate football – Arizona State on SI makes sense of it all below.

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Confirmed Visits – LSU, Tennessee, Miami

Leavitt’s first visit came with Boley’s former school in Kentucky, but the Wildcats have seemingly moved on by signing Notre Dame transfer Kenny Minchey.

LSU has made sense as a destination in recent weeks, with the presence of Lane Kiffin and the ironic twist of Jayden Daniels going from Arizona State to winning a Heisman Trophy with the Tigers as points of focus. It wouldn’t be a shock to see Leavitt heavily consider the SEC power.

Tennessee reportedly attempted to pry Leavitt away from the Sun Devils last spring and failed. This time, they loom as a relative “sleeper” – the redshirt sophomore even spent two days in Knoxville. This is a situation that is “wait-and-see”, as the Volunteers are still waiting to see what comes of QB Joey Aguilar’s pitch to receive more eligibility.

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Sep 26, 2025; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) celebrates win with wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (0) against the TCU Horned Frogs at Mountain America Stadium, Home of the ASU Sun Devils. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Reiner-Imagn Images | Jacob Reiner-Imagn Images

Miami is another spot that has made sense, as senior Carson Beck will be playing his final game of his collegiate career on January 19. No state income tax, the allure of joining Cam Ward and Beck as potential major risers on NFL draft boards, and playing for a storied program are all major drawing points.

Expected Visit – Oregon

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Oregon is the complicated potential landing spot.

There is still a bit of uncertainty surrounding what Oregon’s Dante Moore decided to do pertaining to entering the 2026 draft, so the Ducks must stand pat until a firm decision is made.

It’s simple to see why an Oregon native would be drawn to play for what has become a storied franchise that now has a phenomenal track record of developing quarterbacks.

Verdict: Leavitt Lands With Oregon

There’s absolutely nothing firm about this prediction, but Oregon makes the most sense – with the caveat that Moore decides to go pro.

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Read more on why the Arizona State men’s basketball team will exceed expectations in the 2025-26 season here, and on why the bright future of the football program isn’t dimmed by the loss to Arizona here.

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Please follow us on X when you click right here, as well as @khicks_21 for nonstop Arizona State coverage!



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Arizona’s Burries Shares Secret to Latest Scoring Outburst

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Arizona’s Burries Shares Secret to Latest Scoring Outburst


The Arizona Wildcats dominated once again to push their record to 15-0 on the season, cruising to an easy 101-76 victory over Kansas State in their Big 12 home opener. 

The Wildcats scored 100 points in a game for the third time this season, led by freshman guard Brayden Burries’ 28 points, and Motiejus Krivas’ 25 points. Burries is now up to 15.1 points per game on the season, which leads the #1-ranked Wildcats. 

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Dec 20, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Brayden Burries (5) against the San Diego State Aztecs during the Hall of Fame Series at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Secret to points production

Burries has been on a tear scoring the ball of late. After scoring in double-digits in just one of his first five games this season, Burries has scored in double-figures in each of his last 10 games, including five 20-point performances. His 28 points against Kansas State tied his highest point total of the season so far. After the game, Burries was asked about his recent flurry of scoring. 

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  • “I don’t think anything changed,” Burries said. “I think just getting used to the speed out there, the first few games, and I didn’t play guard as much like on the ball, and guarding point guards, so it’s all new to me. But, more games, more experience, I feel like I’m getting better with more experience honestly.” 

  • “Honestly just going out there, and just hooping,” he added. “Trusting my teammates, and trusting the coaches and their gameplan, and they’re just helping me out.”

Jan 7, 2026; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Brayden Burries (5) high fives fans during the first half of the game against the Kansas State Wildcats at McKale Memorial Center. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images | Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

Tommy Lloyd on Burries

Head coach Tommy Lloyd also spoke about his leading scorer’s recent performances, and how Burries is one of the more coachable players on the roster. 

  • “Brayden’s a great player,” Lloyd said. “We’re fortunate to have him in our program. I mean, he’s a winner, he’s always won. He does just about everything in his life the right way, it’s a joy to coach him everyday, and it’s really fun to help him on his journey.”

  • “You can be pretty direct with him”, Lloyd added. “I told him, he’s a guy that I don’t want to coach by being confrontational with him, I think he’s too good of a kid and he’s really motivated. He doesn’t need that when I’m very direct with him. He’s got enough experience now, I think he’s really learning.” 

Burries and the rest of the Wildcats will look to continue what has been a special season up to this point. The Wildcats have all the makings of a true National Championship contender, and their first two performances in Big 12 play show just that. 

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