Watch: 15 best things Arizona Wildcats said after advancing to Pac-12 Tournament championship
Deandre Ayton scored a career-high 32 points and talked about his National Player of the Year candidacy and NBA Draft.
Back to the ship
Updated
By Justin Spears / Arizona Daily Star
LAS VEGAS -- For the second straight season, the top-seeded Arizona Wildcats took down UCLA 78-67 in overtime of the Pac-12 Tournament semifinals to advance to the championship game.
It was the ultimate conference of champions game: Two heavy weights trading points the entire game with a wild finish.
Deandre Ayton? It's safe to say that he truly solidified his accolade as Pac-12 Player of the Year, recording a career-high 32 points, a career-high, and 14 rebounds. Ayton scored 13 of Arizona's 15 points in the overtime period, while the Cats held the Bruins scoreless.
With Nick Foles' pregame speech to the team and Magic Johnson sitting courtside, the Wildcats played with some extra fire Friday night. Up next: the Wildcats will play No. 2 USC in the championship game Saturday evening at 8 p.m. on FS1.
Ayton, Dusan Ristic, Parker Jackson-Cartwright, Rawle Alkins and Allonzo Trier spoke after the game, here's what they had to say.
Revenge is sweet
UpdatedDeandre Ayton on getting revenge against UCLA: pic.twitter.com/KEyxtZFn5R
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 10, 2018
Back-to-back for Trier
UpdatedAllonzo Trier on getting back to the Pac-12 Tournament Championship and Deandre Ayton’s performance: “He’s physically gifted. We just throw it to him and let him do what he does.” pic.twitter.com/TpAOdgHoFE
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 10, 2018
Best player in the country
UpdatedDusan Ristic on Deandre Ayton: “In my mind, he’s the best player in the country.” pic.twitter.com/qITx1iaiUU
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 10, 2018
Deandre Ayton was inspired by Foles, Magic sitting courtside
UpdatedDeandre Ayton on Nick Foles’ pregame speech and seeing Magic Johnson sitting courtside: pic.twitter.com/sxOrP0Zsde
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 10, 2018
PJC the reason Arizona won?
UpdatedAllonzo Trier says Parker Jackson-Cartwright deserves the most credit for tonight’s win with his defense against Aaron Holiday and Jaylen Hands. Also says Deandre Ayton is the best player in the country and mentions Nick Foles’ pregame speech. pic.twitter.com/YqjgOrZi1t
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 10, 2018
How to break the zone
UpdatedDeandre Ayton’s formula to breaking the 2-3 zone: pic.twitter.com/0DK4czU6XK
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 10, 2018
Ayton the Laker?
UpdatedDeandre Ayton on if he would like to play for the Lakers: pic.twitter.com/nqt5KGTJwC
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 10, 2018
National Player of the Year?
Updated“Do you think you’re the National Player of the Year?” Deandre Ayton: pic.twitter.com/u6ETKx2qWq
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 10, 2018
PJC's confidence
UpdatedPJC: “My confidence is at an all-time high.” pic.twitter.com/LQbjx7WWEz
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 10, 2018
Ayton believes he's the No. 1 pick of NBA Draft
UpdatedDeandre Ayton says he’s the No. 1 pick of the NBA Draft, because no one has the “competitiveness” like him. Also says @emman_akot is the best Fortnite player on Arizona. pic.twitter.com/79SbxXoZEq
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 10, 2018
Best defense of the year
UpdatedPJC says the OT period against UCLA was the best defensive stretch for the Cats all season. pic.twitter.com/CBvDHTljGz
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 10, 2018
Why does Rawle Alkins always wear the same sneakers?
UpdatedRawle Alkins says he wears the same sneakers every game to be cautious of his foot. pic.twitter.com/FHraGJKNrk
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 10, 2018
PJC's lockdown defense
UpdatedRawle Alkins: “Parker locked (Aaron Holiday) up.” pic.twitter.com/lRdleG6l4Z
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 10, 2018
Dusan Ristic starstruck by Magic
UpdatedDusan Ristic on seeing Magic Johnson sitting courtside and Nick Foles’ speech to the team: pic.twitter.com/aM8zR9gv4v
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 10, 2018
The better matchup for Arizona
UpdatedDusan Ristic on facing either USC or Oregon in the Pac-12 Tournament Championship: pic.twitter.com/XuvFRXO0G1
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 10, 2018
