Arizona Basketball: Wildcats Own the Pac-12!

The Arizona Basketball Men’s team has something huge to celebrate. After beating Stanford on Saturday at McKale 91-69, the Arizona Wildcats own the regular season Pac-12 title at 16-2 (28-3 overall).

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This was going to be a victorious day, and an emotional day, we all knew that going into the game. Not only could the Wildcats outright win the Pac-12 season championship, they would be saying thank you and farewell to their beloved seniors.

Coach Sean Miller did something very meaningful, he started Matt Korcheck, and Matt actually was assigned jump duties at center court to start the game.  On top of that, he was the first player to score. Coach Miller said post game (www.arizonawildcats.com) that Korcheck had never missed a practice in three years and that the team voted to start Korcheck.

Mar 7, 2015; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard T.J. McConnell (4) holds up his jersey after the second half against the Stanford Cardinal at McKale Center. Arizona won 91-69 to win the regular season Pac-12 championship. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

The Wildcats handedly beat the Cardinal.  The first half was much closer, but the Wildcats pulled away in the second half.  There were three huge dunks that I remember well, one was Zues with his mid section grazing Cardinal Stefan Nastic’s face in true NBA fashion. Mastic eventually fouled out of the game. Game York also hit a three pointer with four seconds left at the end of the first half, right after a Chasson Randle acrobatic layup. York made three 3-pointers in the game. In all, ten players scored, five in double digits.

T.J. McConnell did not score for quite a while as he missed 5 shots before he finally made one, and the one he made was a beauty! Finally, with 12:08 to go in the game the shot clock ticked down to one second, T.J. hurls a 3 pointer and the ball went right threw the net right before the buzzer.  McConnell had 10 points, 11 assists and two steals by the end of the game. Randle ended up fouling out late in the second half.

Mar 7, 2015; Tucson, AZ, USA; From left Arizona Wildcats forward Stanley Johnson (5) , guard T.J. McConnell (4) , forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (23) , forward Brandon Ashley (21) and guard Elliott Pitts (24) walk off of the court after beating the Stanford Cardinal at McKale Center. Arizona won 69-91. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

Late in the second half, Coach Miller’s team ahead by 29 points, he decided it was time to pull each starter out one by one, and in came Drew Mellon and Matt Korcheck. When T.J. came out, he and Miller had a long hug, there were tears, in McKale, and in our living rooms.  He moved his way down the bench to each coach and all the players showed him how much they mean to him.  What does he do? Something we will never forget, he bent down and kissed the Arizona “A” on the court! This tweet is actually from teammate Stanley Johnson which T.J. retweeted:

Ronda Hollis-Jefferson shared his feelings as well as this will likely be the last time we see Rondae play for the Wildcats in an Arizona uniform.  Rondae made 14 points and seven rebounds, shot four out of five free-throws.  Fans pleaded with him on Twitter to stay one more year!  

This would also be the last time Stanley Johnson plays for the Arizona Wildcats at McKale Center, he will likely also be entering the NBA draft.  Stanley made nine points including two three-pointers, three rebounds and two steals. Nick Johnson did not disappoint, sent this tweet out to the team:

Coach Sean Miller wants us to go to Vegas:

Athletic Director Greg Byrne congratulated everyone:

As is a tradition at McKale when they win the Championship, the team took to the ZonaZoo for their high fives!

Mar 7, 2015; Tucson, AZ, USA; The Arizona Wildcats walk through the student section after the second half against the Stanford Cardinal at McKale Center. Arizona won 91-69 to win the regular season Pac-12 championship. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports

Next Game:

In Vegas for the Pac-12 Tournament

Thursday March 12th against the Winner of Washington State and Cal, Arizona beat Cal twice this season and Washington State once.

Next: Did you know T.J. McConnell is worth nearly $1 Million? See how