Since Arizona Basketball had it’s first-ever team in 1904, they have accumulated 1,830 total wins. From all those wins, choosing the top 25 of all time was no easy task.
The Arizona Basketball program has a rich tradition of winning, ever since their inaugural season in 1904-05. Over the last 114 years as a program, the overall record for the Wildcats has been 1830-950-1. They garnered a winning percentage of 65.8 percent, with four Final Fours, two title appearances, and one National Championship.
While this program has been through 16 different coaches (three being interim), all have been an integral part in building on those numerous wins. From the first-ever coach Orin Kates, to Pop McKale, to Fred Enke, to Fred Snowden, to Lute Olson and present coach Sean Miller, they’ve all helped in making Arizona what it is today.
Among those 1,830 wins, there have been memorable wins of all types. From buzzers beaters to large comebacks, upsets at home and on the road and even a national championship win. Regardless of the outcome, never count the Wildcats out of the game!
However, the context and manner in which a game is won can certainly define just how memorable it is.
Whether it’s a game the Wildcats won during the regular season, during the Pac-12 tournament or even the NCAA Tournament, there has been a myriad of moments in the history of this program that Wildcat fans, players and coaches will never forget.
As fans, we commemorate some of the best wins in program history (in our opinion), by breaking down our Top 25 Wildcat wins of all-time
Honorable Mention – Arizona routes Kansas at home in 2008
Who: Pac-10/ Big-12 non-conference match-up between Arizona and Kansas
When: 12/23/2008
Where: McKale Center (Tucson, AZ)
Game stats: Jordan Hill would finish the game with 23 points, while Jamelle Horne scored 19 points, grabbing 13 rebounds. Nic Wise would add 16 points of his own!
2008 was a strange year for Arizona Basketball, one in each the Wildcats were guided by interim head coach, Russ Pennell, and had a trio of talent in Jordan Hill, Chase Budinger, and Nic Wise.
On December 23, 2008, the Jayhawks, fresh off a championship season, came to Tucson for this Big-12/ Pac-10 showdown.
Starting a little sluggish, Arizona would fall behind early, trailing the Jayhawks at the half 38-35. The Wildcats would again start the second half a little sluggish, allowing Kansas to extend their lead to 44-35.
Then the Wildcats woke up! Arizona would go on a 29-6 run, turning this one into an eventual route!
Hill would finish the game with a game-high of 23 points, while Jamelle Horne ended the game with 19 points and 13 rebounds, meanwhile Wise would add 16 points of his own!
Arizona would come away with the 84-67 win!
No. 25 – Craig McMillan buzzer beater to knock off Oregon State in OT
Who: Pac-10 match-up between Arizona and Oregon State
When: 1/23/1986
Where: McKale Center
Game stats: Arizona’s John Edgar would have 20 points and 10 rebounds before fouling out, but it was Craig McMillan who stole the show with the buzzer-beater, finishing the game with 16 points!
Inside McKale Center on a Thursday evening, who knew the Wildcats would be in store for a doozy?
Back then, the Oregon State Beavers were quite the formidable opponent, but in just Lute Olson’s third season at Arizona, perhaps the tides were changing!
The Wildcats would have a pretty talented group that year, featuring a freshman sensation in Sean Elliott, a sophomore Craig McMillan, Steve Kerr, Anthony Cook, and Kenny Lofton among others.
In this memorable game, the Wildcats were trailing 62-61 in overtime with just about four seconds left. That’s when Kerr would toss a 94-foot pass to McMillan, who would then dribble a couple of times before putting the ball in the net as time expired to knock off the Beavers by a 63-62 final!
Talk about one heck of a finish! This is why this one comes in at No. 25 on our list!
No. 24 – Khalid Reeves goes coast-to-coast to beat Stanford in 1992
Who: Pac-10 match-up between Arizona and Stanford
When: 2/6/1992
Where: Maples Pavilion
Game stats: N/A
Arguably one of Arizona’s best scorers in program history, Khalid Reeves would have one of the best plays in program history when he would down the Stanford Cardinal at the Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto, CA.
Tied 70-70 at the loud and raucous Maples Pavilion, Reeves would go coast-to-coast, putting up a miraculous shot with just seconds left to put Arizona up 72-70.
The Wildcats would then hold off the Cardinals, picking up the win, as the Wildcats would then finish an impressive 24-7 that season. Unfortunately, the year would be cut short early, when Arizona would lose in the first round of the NCAA Tournament against East Tennessee State.
No. 23 – Eddie Smith’s huge plays to beat ASU in ’84 & ’85
Who: Pac-10 match-up between Arizona and ASU
When: 2/17/84 and 1/5/85
Where: Both games in Tempe
Game stats: Pete Williams and Michael Tait led the Wildcats in scoring with 14 points each (1984). Smith had six points in the last 26 seconds (1985).
Who doesn’t love beating the Devils?
Well, in 1984 and 85, we were blessed to have some amazing performances, largely led by Eddie Smith!
In just his first season in Tucson, Olson would make his presence felt against rival ASU. Trailing 64-62 on the road, Smith would become the hero when he would hit a bank three-pointer to give Arizona the 65-64 win!
The very next season, Smith would become the Devil killer again, ripping out the hearts of the ASU faithful in Tempe again, when the Wildcats would overcome a late deficit to become victorious.
Trailing 60-58, Smith would once again come through in the clutch, converting on a HUGE, three-point play with two seconds left that gave the Wildcats the 61-60 win, and back-to-back wins in Tempe!
No. 22 – Momo Jones buzzer-beater against Stanford on the road
Who: Pac-10 matchup between Arizona and Stanford
When: 2/7/10
Where: Maples Pavilion
Game stats: Momo Jones scored 16 points including the game-winner
The Wildcats entered the road game against Stanford one game below .500 and needing a win to keep their season alive. Having only started in one of 30 games played, freshman guard Momo Jones would come up huge for the Wildcats and win it at the buzzer
Tied at 69 with about 23 seconds left, the Cardinals had a chance to take the lead but missed an easy finish at the rim. Jones would then take the ball down the court and hit the jump shot off the glass for the win. Wildcats go on to win 71-69.
That season the Wildcats finished with an overall record of 16- 15 and 10-8 in conference play. They didn’t make the NCAA Tournament that year but gave themselves a chance with a win on the road against Stanford. This would be one of many memorable moments between the Cardinals and the Wildcats in Maples Pavilion.
No. 21 – Kadeem Allen coast-to-coast winning layup against Michigan State
Who: Armed Forces Classic match-up between No.10 Arizona and No. 12 Michigan State
When: 11/11/16
Where: Stan Sheriff Center (Honolulu, HI)
Game stats: Kobi Simmons led the Wildcats in scoring with 18 off the bench; meanwhile Kadeem Allen had 10 points himself!
During the 2016 Armed Forces Classic, Kadeem Allen went coast to coast for the game-winner against Michigan State. With 1.3 seconds left, he drove down the floor, laying it up and securing the winning for the Wildcats 65-63.
In his second season with Arizona, Allen would finish with All Pac-12 Defense and All-Pac-12 honors. He averaged 9.1 points, 3.6 and 3.3 assists per game in two seasons with Arizona. After the season was over, he would make the transition to the NBA.
Allen was the glue guy during his time at Arizona. Whenever they needed a stop or big-time bucket, he was the guy. This play in 2016 demonstrated that.
No. 20 – Derrick Williams converts on a clutch, three-point play to beat Texas
Who: NCAA Tournament Third round game against the Texas Longhorns
When: 3/20/11
Where: Bank of Oklahoma Center (Tulsa, OK)
Game stats: Derrick Williams led all Wildcats with 17 points; Solomon Hill and Jordan Mayes each had 16 points.
In the 2011 NCAA Tournament, the Wildcats added on one of their own moments, when they squared off against the Texas Longhorns in the third round.
After a controversial five-second call on Longhorns, the Wildcats got the ball back with 14.5 seconds to go. That’s when Kyle Fogg dished the ball to Derrick Williams off a screen, who would then finish off the glass through contact to completed the and-one play. Wildcats won that game 70-69.
They would then go onto end the season with a loss in the Elite Eight to the eventual NCAA Champion UConn Huskies by two points. Jamelle Horne came within inches of getting Arizona to the Final Four.
After the season, Williams decided to end his career at Arizona and took his talents to the NBA. In the two seasons, he played for Arizona, Williams averaged 17.8 points and 7.7 rebounds per game.
Here’s that amazing sequence against Texas!
No. 19 – Arizona hands Arizona State their first loss of the season
Who: Pac-12 Conference/ Rivalry Match-up between No. 17 Arizona and No. 3 ASU
When: 12/30/2017
Where: McKale Center (Tucson, AZ)
Game stats: Deandre Ayton and Allonzo Trier would finish the game with 23 points each, meanwhile, Dusan Ristic would finish with 12 of his own!
The Arizona State Sun Devils headed into McKale Center undefeated and No. 3 in the country, looking poised to beat their bitter rival on the road. That did not happen! Deandre Ayton and Allonzo Trier had other plans, as they both led the team with 23 points each, defeating the Sun Devils 84-78.
At that time, the Wildcats were ranked No. 17 and it was one of those rare occasions in which the Sun Devils were ranked higher than them. They would go onto to sweep the Sun Devils that season, also winning on the road 77-70 on February 15th.
No better feeling than beating the Sun Devils, especially when they thought they had a chance!
No. 18 – Arizona defeats Duke in 2OT in 1991
Who: Pac-10/ ACC Showdown between Arizona and Duke
When: 2/24/1991
Where: McKale Center (Tucson, AZ)
Game stats: Center Brian Williams finished with 24 points, Chris Mills had 21 for Arizona, and Matt Muehlebach added with 14 of his own!
There’s a reason the Duke Blue Devils don’t come to Tucson anymore. While these teams have only met a total of nine times, easily one of the most memorable match-up’s came on February 24, 1991, when Duke came to town.
Heading into the game, the Wildcats were on a 60-game home winning streak, the longest in the country at the time.
Arizona also got their first glimpse of Bobby Hurley, in addition to All-Americans Grant Hill and Christian Laettner who made up the core of the Blue Devils.
Meanwhile, the Wildcats were largely led by Sean Rooks and Brian Williams, this game would go back and forth, eventually with the Wildcats coming out on top in a thrilling, 103-96 double-overtime victory.
This is the first of many times Hurley would go onto to lose to the Wildcats, as a player, and as a coach.
No. 17 – Arizona comes from behind in the last minute to beat Florida
Who: Pac-12/ACC Showdown between Arizona and No. 5 Florida
When: 12/15/2012
Where: McKale Center (Tucson, AZ)
Game stats: Solomon Hill has a game-high 18 points, meanwhile Nick Johnson finished with 15, and Mark Lyons finished with 14 (including the game-winner)!
Never count the Wildcats out! Down six points with just a minute remaining, most thought that this one was over. The No. 8 Wildcats though pulled off one of the greatest wins in Wildcat history, as they defeated the visiting, No. 5 Florida Gators 65-64.
After forcing three straight turnovers, the Wildcats put themselves in a position to win it, when senior point guard Mark Lyons hit the game-winning layup with seven seconds left, giving the Wildcats the incredible come from behind win.
Interesting fact, earlier that same day, the Arizona Wildcats Football team overcame a 13-point deficit with 1:48 to play in the New Mexico Bowl against Nevada to win 49-48.
Both of the teams defined what it means to Bear Down!
No. 16 – Salim Stoudamire knocking off Oklahoma State in the Sweet 16
Who: 2005 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 match-up between Arizona and Oklahoma State
When: 3/24/2005
Where: Allstate Arena (Rosemont, IL)
Game stats: Salim Stoudamire and Hassan Adams had team-highs of 19 points, meanwhile, Channing Frye finished with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
One of the best guards to have played for Arizona, Salim Stoudamire was a man with ice in his veins, delivering one of the best Wildcat moments in NCAA Tournament history. Down one to No. 2 seeded Oklahoma State with 13.1 seconds to go, Stoudamire was able to drive the ball and pull up to hit a long jumper to give the Wildcats the lead with 2.8 seconds go.
Luckily, the Cowboys would be unable to score on the following possession, as the Wildcats would win 79-78. However, they would go on to lose to Illinois the Elite Eight by one point in overtime.
This winning shot Stoudamire was that much more meaningful because it took place during the Sweet 16 in the 2005 NCAA Tournament. During a tremendous, senior season, Stoudamire also hit a ridiculous three-point shot from way out there with 1.2 seconds left to secure a 76-73 win over UCLA earlier in the year.
No. 15 – Arizona beating UCLA and USC in 1979
Who: Pac-10 Intra-conference match-ups between Arizona-UCLA/USC
When: 2/18/1979 & 2/22/1979
Where: McKale Center (Tucson, AZ)
Game stats: N/A
Entering his seventh season with the Wildcats, Fred Snowden and Arizona would begin their first year in the Pac-10 Conference that season.
This would be a memorable year for the Wildcats, as they would host both UCLA and USC in the same season!
First squaring off with the perennially talented No. 3 Bruins (led by Gary Cunningham) on January 18, 1979, the Wildcats would do the unthinkable, knocking off the Bruins 70-69 in dramatic fashion!
Just days later, Arizona would get their first-ever sweep of the Los Angeles-area schools in their inaugural Pac-10 season, when the Wildcats would beat the Trojans 74-72 at home!
No. 14 – Win No. 700 for Lute Olson, as Arizona beats ASU 93-74
Who: Pac-10 Conference Rival game between Arizona and ASU
When: 1/3/2004
Where: Wells Fargo Arena (Tempe, AZ)
Game stats: Salim Stoudamire had 26 points and Frye had 17 points and seven rebounds, meanwhile Hassan Adams had 14 points, and Mustafa Shakur had 12 of his own
Arizona Basketball beating ASU? While this isn’t anything new for the Wildcats, however, what made January 3, 2004, so special was the milestone that this win came with.
Making the journey to Tempe, AZ, the then No. 4 Wildcats (8-1) would take on the ASU Sun Devils (6-3).
From the start, it was all Arizona and was just one of many, dominant performances by the Wildcats over the Sun Devils.
Entering the game with 699 career wins under his belt, head coach Lute Olson would guide his Cats to the 93-74 win to pick-up career win No. 700!
No. 13 – Arizona demolishes the No. 1-seeded Duke Blue Devils in the Sweet 16
Who: 2011 NCAA Tournament, Sweet 16 match-up between No.5 Arizona and No.1 Duke
When: 3/24/2011
Where: Honda Center (Anaheim, CA)
Game stats: Derrick Williams led the Wildcats with 32 points, Momo Jones had 16 points and Solomon Hill had 13 points. The Wildcats outscored the Blue Devils 55-33 in the second half!
Who doesn’t love beating Duke? Well, in 2011 in just Sean Miller’s second season with the Wildcats, Arizona was on a terror that year, largely led by the then No. 2 overall draft, pick Derrick Williams!
Rated as a five-seed in the tournament, Arizona came out sluggish, trailing 44-38 in the first half. However, luckily things got turned around very quickly for the Cats when Arizona would outscore the Blue Devils 55-33 in the second half, highlighted by a 19-2 run!
It was dunk city in this one as Arizona would pace themselves to the 93-77 win over Duke! Williams would finish the game with 32 points and 13 rebounds!
Solomon Hill would add 13 of his own, as Momo Jones would also add 16 of his own too!
Relive one of the greatest Wildcat wins here!
No. 12 – Miles Simon banks a 65-footer in 1996 against Cincy to win
Who: 7up Shootout game between Arizona and Cincinnati
When: 2/11/1996
Where: Memorial Coliseum (Phoenix)
Game stats: Michael Dickerson led the Wildcats with 21 points and Miles Simon went 4-12 from the field. This win marked Lute Olson’s 500th overall win as a head coach.
Taking part in the 1996 7up Shootout late in the 1995-96 season, Arizona would rally from nine-points down late in the second half to come back and win this one over the Cincinnati Bearcats!
Led by a strong contingency of Arizona Basketball players, the Wildcats would be tied at 76-76 late in this one, before Arizona legend Miles Simon would steal the ball, launching a 65-foot three-pointer that banked in to deliver the 79-76 win!
Who doesn’t love buzzer-beaters, especially ones from a sizable distance? Just take a look at this amazing moment!
Arizona would go on to lose to Kansas in the Sweet 16 that year.
No. 11 – The Derrick Williams block to beat Washington
Who: Pac-12 “White Out” game between Arizona and Washington
When: 2/19/2011
Where: McKale Center
Game stats: Derrick Williams led the Wildcats with 26 points, Momo Jones had 15 points and both Jesse Perry and Kevin Parrom had 11 points each.
It was a back-and-forth game between Pac-12 foes when Arizona hosted the Washington Huskies for the ‘White Out’ on February 19, 2011. Interestingly enough, it had been a while since the Wildcats had come away victorious against the Huskies, but that would all change in this one!
At home in front of the Wildcats faithful, and amid a remarkable season, we would be gifted with one of the most memorable games in program history!
In a game consisting mostly of offense, who knew it would be a defensive play that gave the Wildcats the win this one! Leading 87-86 with just seconds left, Derrick Williams would come up big as a secondary defender, delivering a HUGE block and saving the game for the Cats!
No. 10 – Arizona overcomes a 20-point deficit to beat UCLA
Who: Pac-10 game between Arizona and UCLA
When: 1/19/2002
Where: McKale Center
Game stats: All five starters for the Wildcats scored in double figures, Channing Frye and Jason Gardner led the team with 19 points each, Luke Walton had 18 points, Rick Anderson and Salim Stoudamire had 13 each.
Over the years, there have been some epic showdowns between conference rivals, UCLA and Arizona. When these two teams met on January 19, 2002, we would be graced with arguably one of the best games in Arizona Basketball history.
Led by a slew of talent like Jason Gardner, Luke Walton, Channing Frye, Rick Anderson, and Salim Stoudamire among others, this group would put together an amazing performance against the Bruins.
UCLA would have one of their best shooting performances here, connecting on 17-33 attempts. Looking like this one would be a route, UCLA would lead 73-53 with 13:37 to play.
That’s when put together one of their best runs in school history, erasing a 20-point deficit and outscoring the Bruins 43-13 over the last 13 minutes to win this one by an 86-76 final!
No. 9 – Arizona knocks off No. 1-seed Kansas in 1997 Sweet 16
Who: NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 game between No.4 Arizona and No.1 Kansas
When: 3/21/1997
Where: Birmingham-Jefferson Civic Center, Birmingham, Alabama
Game stats: Kansas’ Paul Pierce had a game-high, 27 points, meanwhile, Mike Bibby has 21 points and five assists. Michael Dickerson added with 20 of his own, Miles Simon had 17, and AJ Bramlett finished with 12 points and 12 rebounds.
One of the most magical games in program history, No. 9 comes in arguably as Arizona’s second-best win of that 1997 NCAA Tournament. Still, the only team to knock off three, No. 1 seeds en route to the NCAA Championship, not many more impressive than the Sweet 16 victory over the Jayhawks in 1997!
Kansas came into this game as arguably the best team in the country, and with a then-record of 34-1, perhaps it was rightfully so. That is until they faced the Wildcats!
Arizona was led by a slew of talented players, but it was a collective effort in this one that gave the Wildcats the win!
Arizona came out strong, scoring 38, first-half points, taking a slim, two-point lead over Kansas at the break. The second half would be another solid half for the Cats, as they kept up with the high-scoring Jayhawks, to stay in front and ultimately securing the 85-82 win!
The Wildcats would seemingly get big contributions from everywhere, with Bibby leading the way with 21 points!
We know this loss still stings for Jayhawks fans everywhere, but for us, it comes in at No. 9 on the list!
No. 8 – Arizona upsets UNLV in the 1976 NCAA Tournament
Who: 1976 NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 game between Arizona and UNLV Runnin Rebels
When: 3/18/1976
Where: Los Angeles
Game stats: Wildcats had four players in double figures, led by Herman Harris who had 31 points, Jim Rappis had 24 points, Bob Elliot had 20 points and Phil Taylor had 18 points.
Easily the best year during the Fred Snowden days, the Wildcats would have one of their best, and one of the most unlikely seasons.
Largely led by Bob Elliott and Al Fleming among others that season, the Wildcats would get to the NCAA Tournament after finishing with third in the WAC conference that year!
Arizona would begin the tournament by playing Georgetown, before squaring off with the Jerry Tarkanian UNLV Runnin’ Rebels.
The two teams would have an epic showdown in this one before Arizona would ultimately pull away in double overtime. Herman Harris would finish the game with 31 points en route to Arizona’s 114-109 win!
No. 7 – Arizona beats Kansas on the road in 2003
Who: Non-conference game between No.1 Arizona and No.6 Kansas
When: 1/25/2003
Where: Allen Fieldhouse (Lawrence, KS)
Game stats: Salim Stoudamire led all Wildcats with a career-high 32 points
In front of the Kansas faithful at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, KS, the Wildcats would use a huge second half to propel themselves to the 91-74 win on the road!
Ranked as the then No. 1 team in the country, Arizona came out a bit sluggish, trailing the Jayhawks on the road 52-39 at the half!
Arizona was so sluggish in that first half, that the Wildcats trailed 44-24 at one point. However, the Wildcats didn’t get distracted or discouraged, and instead got focused, erasing a large deficit, rallying to win this one!
Salim Stoudamire scored a career-high 32 points, including a sizzling 6-9 from beyond the arc! Jason Gardner would finish with 23 points, and Rick Anderson would also chip in with 15 points of his own!
This was easily one of Arizona’s best wins, especially since it on the road in one of the most difficult places to win, plus they were down by as many as 20 in this one!
No. 6 – Sean Elliott’s three-pointer to defeat Duke in 1989
Who: Non-conference match-up game between Arizona and Duke
When: 2/26/1989
Where: Meadowlands (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
Game stats: Sean Elliot led the Wildcats with 24 points.
In just one of the many marquee games between and Arizona and Duke, during a remarkable senior season for Arizona legend Sean Elliott, he would be a big reason why the Wildcats won this epic match-up against the Blue Devils!
With both squads knotted at 70 with just under a minute to play, that’s when Elliott would hit a huge three to give the Cats the lead and eventual victory in this one!
Putting up Arizona 73-70, Elliott would later hit a couple of huge free throws that ultimately gave Arizona the 75-77 victory against the Duke Blue Devils.
Just take a look at these retro, Cardiac Cats!
No. 5 – Michael Wright hits a last-second shot to beat No. 1 Stanford
Who: Pac-10 game between Arizona and Standford
When: 3/8/2001
Where: Maples Pavilion (Palo Alto, CA)
Game stats: Gilbert Arenas led the Wildcats with 22 points, Michael Wright and Richard Jefferson each had 14 points
For those that maybe don’t remember or didn’t know, Arizona and Stanford used to have some amazing games between the two programs!
When these two teams met in March of 2001, we would yet again be in store for a tremendous showing! Arizona came into this one ranked No. 7 in the country, with the Cardinal being the No. 1 overall team.
Stanford led for much of the second half, but a Gilbert Arenas steal and layup with 3:06 left gave Arizona a two-point lead.
However, Stanford got back ahead, before Jason Gardner hit a free throw to pull Arizona within 75-74 with seconds left. Stanford would miss on the ensuing three-point attempt, setting up for Arizona’s Michael Wright to score on a layup while in traffic to give the Cats the 76-75 lead.
Luckily, the Cardinal would be unable to rally, giving Arizona the upset and big-time win on the road, also making this one of the best/ most memorable wins in Arizona Basketball history!
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!
No. 3 – Arizona’s first-ever game against Morenci YMCA
Who: First-ever game against Morenci YMCI
When: 1905
Where: Gymnasium portion of the Morenci Club
Game stats: N/A
How could you not include this game? Granted it took place over 100 years ago, but this was the first win of many by one of the best programs in college basketball!
Just six short years after John Naismith invented the game of basketball, the sport looked very different back then! There was no dribbling, there were no dunks, and the sport didn’t involve as much scoring.
Led by then-head coach Orin A. Kates, the Wildcats took on Morenci YMCA and came away victorious by a 40-32 final!
Who knew this first win would later jump-start a program that would go on to become one of the best. This victory signifies Arizona’s rich history and tradition and is important to note it as being one of the most memorable in school history!
No. 2 – Arizona beats UNC to get to their first-ever Final Four
Who: 1988 NCAA Tournament Elite 8 match-up between No.1 Arizona and No.2 North Carolina
When: 3/27/1988
Where: Kingdome (Seattle, WA)
Game stats: Sean Elliot led the Wildcats with 24 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists. Tom Tolbert had 21 points and Steve Kerr had 14 points
Arizona was 0-3 in Tournament games under Lute Olson, but then the 1988 season happened, and that changed everything!
Led by program star Sean Elliott, the Wildcats would dance their way to becoming a No. 1 seed in the West Region of the 1988 NCAA Tournament.
With some tough first-round losses in years prior, Arizona would begin the tournament by first blowing out Cornell. Then would route Seton Hall, followed by coach Olson’s previous school, Iowa, as the Wildcats were then set to play the No. 2-seeded North Carolina Tar Heels in the Western Regional Finals.
The game would start as a tight one, but a huge second half by the Cats would blow this one wide open, as Arizona paced themselves to the 70-52 victory!
Elliott would finish with a game-high 24 points, and Tom Tolbert would finish with 21, to go along with Steve Kerr’s 14 to pace Arizona to their first-ever Final Four appearance!
No. 1 – Arizona beats Kentucky to win their first-ever National Title
Who: 1997 National Championship game between No.4 Arizona and No.1 Kentucky
When: 3/31/1997
Where: RCA Dome (Indianapolis, IN)
Game stats: Miles Simon led the Wildcats in scoring with 30 points and 3 rebounds. Mike Bibby had 19 points, nine rebounds, and four assists.
This is an easy one! Easily the biggest win in program history, how could we not have this at No. 1 on the list!
Arizona came into the NCAA Tournament as a No. 4 seed and was reeling a bit, having lost back-to-back games against Stanford and Cal to finish the regular season 19-9.
Then the NCAA Tournament happened! Arizona beat South Alabama, then they had a nail-biter versus the College of Charleston.
That would then set Arizona up for one of the most remarkable runs by any team in NCAA Tournament history!
Arizona would take down the No. 1-seeded Kansas Jayhawks in the Sweet 16, followed by an overtime win of Providence to get to the Final Four.
Facing another No. 1 seed, Arizona would take on a very talented and skilled North Carolina team, dispatching the Tar Heels en route to their first-ever Finals appearance.
That would then give us the most memorable game of all-time! Taking on a third, No. 1 seed and heavy title favorite, Kentucky Wildcats!
Both teams would come out strong, seemingly exchanging blows through much of the first half, with Arizona leading 33-32. Then Kentucky would tie this one up, sending it to overtime before Arizona ultimately pulled away to win their first-ever title!
Miles Simon would end with a game-high 30 points and title MVP, but that isn’t to overshadow Mike Bibby’s gutsy 19-point, nine-rebound and four-assist performance to give Arizona the 84-79 win!
At Zona Zealots, these just happened to be what we would rank to be the Top 25 wins of all-time! Do you like our list? Let us know which wins you think were better! As always, Bear Down, Arizona!