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Arizona Basketball: Top Five McKale Center Game Endings

By Brad Malone

Jan 28, 2016; Tucson, AZ, USA; A general view of McKale Center during the second half of the game between the Arizona Wildcats and the Oregon Ducks. The Ducks won 83-75. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2016; Tucson, AZ, USA; A general view of McKale Center during the second half of the game between the Arizona Wildcats and the Oregon Ducks. The Ducks won 83-75. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 4, 2012; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats mascot Wilbur the Wildcat interacts with fans during the first half against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles at McKale Center. The Wildcats defeated the Golden Eagles 63-55. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 4, 2012; Tucson, AZ, USA; Arizona Wildcats mascot Wilbur the Wildcat interacts with fans during the first half against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles at McKale Center. The Wildcats defeated the Golden Eagles 63-55. Mandatory Credit: Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 4 – Jan 18, 1979

Arizona 70

UCLA     69

When Arizona joined the Pac-10 for the 1978-79 season, fans circled the first time the mighty UCLA Bruins would be playing in McKale for the first time as a conference foe.

John Wooden was gone but the mystique of his ten championships still strongly resonated in the college basketball world. The Bruins coming to Tucson was a BIG deal.

Late in the game Arizona sophomore, John Smith stepped to the free-throw line with the game tied at 69. Smith knocked it down, and all the Cats had to do was play defense for six more seconds to record the upset.

UCLA All-American David Greenwood let a 20-footer fly from the corner. It bounced off the rim, and the rowdies in Tucson celebrated a monumental victory over a basketball giant.

Next: No. 3

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