Arizona Basketball: Wildcats advance to the Pac-12 Tournament Championship Game

The Arizona Wildcats battled their way to victory in overtime over the UCLA Bruins to advance to the Pac-12 Tournament Championship Game, 78-67.

Arizona Poise! That’s what the Arizona Wildcats showed tonight in their semifinals matchup against the No.4 seed UCLA Bruins. Even when things were not going according to plan, the Wildcats found a way to get the W, in overtime! This will be the sixth time the Wildcats head to the Pac-12 Tournament Championship game under Coach Sean Miller. You watching ESPN?

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In only their 2nd match up of the season, the Wildcats made sure the Bruins didn’t beat them a second time. The first time around, the Bruins handed the Wildcats their only home loss of the season 82-74.

Before I go any further, how in the world can these two teams only have played each other once in the regular season?! That’s just not right. Fans and audiences deserve better! Okay now that I got that off my chest, back to the matter at hand.

Prior to the start of the game, former Wildcat quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles, gave the team a little pep talk. How cool is that! Here is what he said to the team:

The Wildcats would end up handling that “moment” very well. The game got off to a very fast pace start, with hardly any stoppage of play. Only a total of eight fouls were called in the first half. That’s a first for Pac-12 referees!  Both teams didn’t shoot the ball well in the first half, but Rawle Alkins did lead all scorers with nine points and two rebounds.

Thomas Welsh was a big factor in the first half for the Bruins. He dominated the offensive and defensive glass, grabbing 11 rebounds. Welsh and the rest of Bruins limited the Wildcats to zero offensive rebounds in the first half. They out rebounded the Wildcats 23-11, but the second half and overtime was a completely different story.

Being only down four, heading into second half, the Wildcats had to feel good about their chances.  Parker Jackson-Cartwright got things going for his squad, scoring back-to-back threes and this fast break layup, helping his team take a 43-38 lead.

The remainder of the second half was all Deandre Ayton, who only had seven points and six rebounds in the first 20 minutes of play. Even though their were reports prior to the start of the game that he was having some pain in his right foot, that didn’t stop him from performing at such a high level. The Bruins “tried” to play zone to limit him, but that didn’t work.

Even this jump shot by Ayton impressed hall of famer and President  of the Los Angles Lakers Magic Johnson:

At one point in the second half, the Wildcats extended their lead out to six points. The Bruins fought hard and battle their way back to tie the game at 67 and force overtime, thanks to a layup by Jaylen Hands.  Aaron Holiday, who according to some though should have been Pac-12 Player of the Year, finished with 15 points, three assists and one rebound.

In overtime, it was the Ayton show! The Bruins didn’t even score a single point in overtime, but Dre did. He scored the Wildcats seven of 11 points in extra minutes and was the reason why the Wildcats won. Ayton finished with a career high 32 points and 14 rebounds. Wow, just wow! Going to miss seeing this guy play for Arizona, that’s for sure.

Keys to victory:

• Wildcats out rebounded the Bruins 42-33
•  Dusan Ristic finished with eight points and 10 rebounds. Alkins had 15 points and seven rebounds. Cartwright had 11 points and four assists.
• Only had six turnovers and 10 total personal fouls.
• Played solid defense throughout and closing down on open three point looks for the Bruins
• Offensively, Rawle Alkins carried the team in the first half, PJC and Ayton in the second and Ayton in overtime with several putback  points.

Enjoy the post game press conference and hear what Coach Miller, Alkins and Ayton had to say:

Must Read: Arizona Basketball: Rawle Alkins is the glue-guy for the Wildcats

What a game! Games like these are what make college basketball so exciting to watch, especially during the month of March. The Wildcats stayed composed, did not panic, and went to their machine down low, Mr. Ayton to get the job done and he delivered! Up next for the Wildcats is the Pac-12 Tournament Championship game. Bear Down Arizona, Bear Down

Game Details

Who: USC Trojans

When: Saturday, March 10th at 8 pm MST on FS1. Yes, you read that right. This is just getting ridiculous. Larry Scott, this is unacceptable!!

Where: T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas