Arizona Basketball against the world, clinch share of Pac-12 title

The Arizona Wildcats basketball team returned home and defeated the Stanford Cardinals 75-67. They clinched a share of the Pac-12 regular season title.

More from Wildcats Basketball

• Arizona Basketball likely to schedule Florida Atlantic for 2023
• Rondae Hollis-Jefferson’s FIBA World Cup performance is reminiscent of Kobe Bryant’s
• Rawle Alkins a star in the Drew League this summer
• Arizona Basketball to play in ‘Battle 4 Atlantis’ in 2024
• Reflections on the Pac-12, the Arizona Wildcats, and other memories

Ready, set, action! In what has been one of the most incredible days in Arizona Wildcat basketball history, the day ended with the Wildcats coming back home and do what they do best, WIN! From the announcement of Coach Sean Miller coming back, to then Allonzo Trier coming back all within the same day, emotions were running at an all-time high come game time.

In addition to all of that, Dusan Ristic was only one game away from becoming the all-time winningest player in Wildcat basketball player history! You can’t make this stuff up. This has the making for a 30 for 30 episode due in large part to ESPN, how ironic would that be?

Prior to the start of the game, Coach Sean Miller received a standing ovation as he walked onto the floor and waved to the fans to show his appreciation.

The Wildcats came out strong, feeding off the energy and emotions running all throughout McKale Center. Trier did not waste any time, hitting a wide-open three-pointer to give his team a 5-0 lead.  ZO IS BACK!! As the first half went on, they were able to build a 15-9 lead.

Some early foul trouble by Ayton, even though the fouls called on him were RIDICULOUS, allowed the Cardinal to score in the paint and kept them close throughout the half. Other players stepped up in for Ayton’s absence. Ristic led the way with 15 points and three rebounds.

Heading into the second half, the Wildcats had a 37-28 lead. Ristic continued to pour it in, knocking down jump shots right inside the paint and play with a very high level of confidence. He finished the game with 21 points and 5 rebounds. Ristic also became the all-time winningest player in Wildcat basketball history:

Deandre Ayton only had two points and two rebounds in the first half but finished the game in Ayton style with ANOTHER double-double, 12 points, and 10 rebounds. That now makes 20 double-doubles for the season. In your face ESPN!

Trier from start to end played a solid game. With so much emotion running through his body, he was able to keep that under control, but at the same time play with NO FEAR! Zo finished the game with 18 points, fours assists, and 2 rebounds.

Parker Jackson-Cartwright came up HUGE for his team. With a little under six minutes to go, he hit a step back three-point shot to give his team an 11-point lead:

Rawle Alkins also had a solid stat night. He finished the game with five points, nine rebounds, four assists and played “savagelife” defense for all 26 minutes. Keanu Pinder came off the bench and provided that much-needed spark with some blocks and buckets. Dylan Smith and Emmanuel Akot each scored five points, giving the Wildcats the 14-9 edge in bench points.

For the Cardinal, they did take a one-point lead early in the first half, but could never sustain enough offensive to rally a comeback. The closest they got in the second half was 67-62 with about four minutes to play. Reid Travis led the way for the Cardinals with 23 points and 10 rebounds.

Here are full highlights of the Wildcats win over the Cardinal:

Up next for the Wildcats are the California Golden Bears at home. With a win over the Bears or a USC loss, they outright win the Pac-12 regular season title.

Must Read: Sean Miller to stay on as Arizona Basketball Head Coach

One for the record books! March 1st, 2018 will go down as the day Arizona Wildcat basketball shut up the ESPN critics. Coaches, players, and fans were able to come together as one and show the rest of the country that you’ve messed with the wrong Wildcats! This team has more energy and confidence than ever before to demolish whoever is in their path. Bear Down Wildcats, Bear Down!