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Arizona Basketball: Top 25 Wildcat wins of all-time

By David Rosen

15 Feb 2001: Gilbert Arenas #9 of the Arizona Wildcats congratulates teammates Michael Wright #2, Richard Jefferson #44, Loren Woods #3 during the game against the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Bruins at the Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles, California. The Bruins defeated the Wildcats 79-77.Mandatory Credit: Donald Miralle /Allsport
15 Feb 2001: Gilbert Arenas #9 of the Arizona Wildcats congratulates teammates Michael Wright #2, Richard Jefferson #44, Loren Woods #3 during the game against the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Bruins at the Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles, California. The Bruins defeated the Wildcats 79-77.Mandatory Credit: Donald Miralle /Allsport /
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TUCSON, AZ – MARCH 19: Fans gather outside the McKale Center prior to the game between the Temple Owls and the San Diego State Aztecs during the third round of the 2011 NCAA men’s basketball tournament on March 19, 2011 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TUCSON, AZ – MARCH 19: Fans gather outside the McKale Center prior to the game between the Temple Owls and the San Diego State Aztecs during the third round of the 2011 NCAA men’s basketball tournament on March 19, 2011 in Tucson, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

No. 4 – Arizona upsets No. 2 Long Island University in 1951

Who: No. 4 Arizona vs No. 2 Long Island University

When: 1/29/1951

Where: Bear Down Gym (Tucson, AZ)

Game stats: N/A

Before McKale Center even existed, the Arizona Basketball team would play their games inside the infamous Bear Down Gym. But in 1951, we would be in store for one of the best games in school history!

Back then Long Island was led by Hall of Fame coach Clair Bee and had previously won two titles, one in the NIT in 1938-39 following a perfect season, and before that as Premo-Porretta National Champions in 1935-36 after another perfect season.

The Blackbirds would come to Tucson heavily favored and ranked as the No. 2 team in the country!

In front of a record crowd of 4,650, Arizona would dazzle fans in the last 15 seconds of the game, when Phoenix High School grad Jerry Dillon would give Arizona the lead with seconds to play, and the eventual 62-61 victory!

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