ARIZONA BASKETBALL

By the Numbers: No. 1 Arizona Wildcats survive late rally, top UCLA to match best start in school history

Jan 10, 2014, 4:30 AM | Updated: 4:38 am

With six minutes left in Arizona’s game at UCLA Thursday, it looked like the No. 1 Wildcats were well on their way to another impressive road win.

But the UA’s 13-point lead evaporated over the next four minutes, and the Wildcats even trailed at one point in the final two minutes. Then the Wildcats went on a 7-0 run, and Arizona held on for a 79-75 win in Pauley Pavilion.

Nick Johnson scored a game-high 22 points and Kaleb Tarczewski added 16 as the Wildcats showed why they’ve been the country’s top team since early December.

Here’s a closer look at Arizona’s win, which helped the Wildcats (16-0, 3-0 Pac-12) match the best start in school history:

2

The Wildcats likely had two plays that will land in Sportscenter’s Top 10 Thursday. Aaron Gordon’s reverse dunk off a halfcourt lob from point guard T.J. McConnell was the top slam, and guard Nick Johnson added a soaring dunk in traffic off a nice feed from Rondae Hollis Jefferson.

6

Arizona center Kaleb Tarczewski was a perfect 6-of-6 from the field, and went 4-for-6 from the free throw line for 16 points to go along with eight rebounds.

13

UCLA went on a 13-0 run to tie the game at 69 with 2:28 to play, then took a 70-69 lead with 1:44 on the clock. Arizona was obviously able to rally from the small hole.

17

Arizona turned the ball over 17 times — including four each from McConnell and forward Brandon Ashley — and UCLA turned those into 21 points. UCLA turned the ball over just nine times.

45

The UCLA-Arizona matchup featured a number of professional prospects, and the NBA took notice. 45 NBA personnel were credentialed for the game, including several GMs.

65.4

The UA shot just 65.4 percent from the free throw line, and that poor mark nearly cost the Wildcats. Gordon twice missed the front end of late 1-and-1s before knocking down a pair to extend Arizona’s lead late.

Arizona Basketball

Tommy Lloyd...

Arizona Sports

After Sweet 16 loss, Arizona Wildcats’ coach Tommy Lloyd says ‘our day in the sun will come’

Despite loss in NCAA Tournament, Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd thinks the program is in a good spot after his first three seasons.

2 hours ago

Arizona Wildcats guard Jaden Bradley against Clemson in the Sweet 16...

Kevin Zimmerman

Arizona basketball stars go cold in Sweet 16 loss to Clemson

Caleb Love and Pelle Larsson carried Arizona into the NCAA Tournament but they shot the Wildcats out of their Sweet 16 matchup vs. Clemson.

14 hours ago

Arizona Wildcats center Oumar Ballo against Clemson in the Sweet 16...

Arizona Sports

Oumar Ballo Nerf-hoop dunks it in Arizona’s Sweet 16 loss to Clemson

The No. 2 Arizona Wildcats in the Sweet 16 against the No. 6 Clemson Tigers showed some pop late in the first half with Oumar Ballo's dunk.

16 hours ago

Keshad Johnson #16 and Pelle Larsson #3 of the Arizona Wildcats speak at a press conference before ...

Damon Allred

Grind of final Pac-12 season prepared Arizona basketball for March

No. 2 Arizona men's basketball will look to make it past the Sweet 16 for the first time in Tommy Lloyd's tenure.

2 days ago

Caitlin Clark celebrates...

Associated Press

Iowa’s Caitlin Clark is inspiring a younger generation of players

Caitlin Clark's deep range has expanded the scope of possibilities for up-and-coming women's basketball players.

2 days ago

Chase Hunter #1 and PJ Hall #24 of the Clemson Tigers high five during the first half against the B...

Vincent DeAngelis

Clemson basketball looks to continue ‘underdog’ run against Arizona in Sweet 16

No. 6 seed Clemson takes on Arizona on Thursday after upsetting No. 3 seed Baylor in the 2024 NCAA Tournament round of 32

2 days ago

By the Numbers: No. 1 Arizona Wildcats survive late rally, top UCLA to match best start in school history