In the only college basketball rankings that matter, the Arizona Wildcats (11-5, 5-0) are now in the top 12. Still unranked in the AP Top 25 and Coaches polls,

Arizona closed out its nonconference season with two lopsided wins and has been stellar since the start of its first season Big 12 season. The Wildcats pulled out road wins against Cincinnati and West Virginia — both ranked at the time — and stretched their winning streak to seven games with Tuesday's 81-70 win over No. 25 Baylor.

The Arizona Wildcats melted another 18 points off a big lead Tuesday, but this time it was somewhat different.

After a season at Texas, former UA defensive tackle Tiaoalii Savea is returning to the Wildcats for his final season of eligibility, he announced late Tuesday night.

The overworn platitude is “defense wins championships.” It’s not as pithy to say, but defense also can win you a weeknight conference game in January when your offense is struggling

Arizona Wildcats (11-5, 5-1 Big 12) at Texas Tech Red Raiders (12-4, 3-2 Big 12) Lubbock, Texas; Saturday, 2 p.m. EST BOTTOM LINE: Texas Tech hosts Arizona in a matchup of Big 12 teams. The Red Raiders have gone 8-2 in home games.

Arizona hired tight ends coach Josh Miller, who worked with offensive coordinator Seth Doege at Marshall and Purdue.

The Arizona Wildcats have kicked away several big leads already this season, and Tommy Lloyd was in no mood to see it happen again Saturday.

No. 11 Kansas State faces the Arizona Wildcats after Temira Poindexter scored 24 points in Kansas State's 92-65 victory against the BYU Cougars.

With two months of conference play left, which players stand out -- and does Broome or Flagg take the No. 1 spot?

Tucson's TV/radio sports best bets: Friday, Jan. 17 11 a.m., ESPN2 — Latin America Amateur, second round 2 p.m., GOLF — PGA: American Express, second round 5 p.m., GOLF — Champions: Mitsubishi Electric, second round