Watch: 7 best things Arizona Wildcats said after sweeping ASU
Deandre Ayton took note of the Curtain of Distraction while the Wildcats escaped another brutal road crowd to complete the sweep over rival Arizona State.
Completing the sweep
Updated
Arizona head coach Sean Miller and his staff aren't impressed with the call that went against the Wildcats against Arizona State in the first half of their Pac-12 game at Wells Fargo Arena, Thursday, February 15, 2018, Tucson, Ariz.
By Justin Spears / Arizona Daily Star
TEMPE, Arizona -- It wasn't easy, but No. 17 Arizona completed the season sweep over No. 25 Arizona State 77-70 in a hostile environment at Wells Fargo Arena on Thursday.
After the Wildcats led by 18 in the first half, the Sun Devils ended the half with a 16-2 run and trailed by only a point at halftime, which carried over in the second half. ASU kicked off the opening moments of the second half with a 7-0 run led by Kodi Justice's back-to-back 3-pointers.
When Arizona trailed 50-47 with 12:08 left in the game, one of the wackiest incidents occurred: a UA cheerleader was ejected from the game after heckling an official before ASU shot free throws. After that, Arizona outscored ASU 30-20 to end the game.
From FBI chants, to the Curtain of Distraction, it was quite the environment at Wells Fargo Arena. Deandre Ayton finished with 25 points and 16 rebounds and Allonzo Trier racked up 19 points and 5 assists.
Miller, Ayton and Trier spoke outside of the team locker room after the game, here's what they had to say.
Ayton's perspective of the crowd
UpdatedDeandre Ayton on the environment at Wells Fargo Arena: pic.twitter.com/lUyZC3PZnx
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) February 16, 2018
What really sparked ASU's run, per Ayton
UpdatedDeandre Ayton says Arizona was fatigued when ASU made a 16-2 run at the end of the first half. pic.twitter.com/SOBPSSE44H
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) February 16, 2018
Deandre Ayton took notice of ASU's Curtain of Distraction
UpdatedDeandre Ayton on ASU’s curtain of distraction: 😂 pic.twitter.com/hClxyqi5Nj
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) February 16, 2018
Cool Cats
UpdatedAllonzo Trier: “We knew it wasn’t gonna be easy. ... but we stayed composed.” pic.twitter.com/F15IKREdIr
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) February 16, 2018
Closing out close games
UpdatedSean Miller on Arizona’s win over ASU: “This wasn’t the first time our team played in a hostile environment and I think it shows. ... This was a big road win for us, but now it’s on to the next one.” pic.twitter.com/zglW3lrgVK
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) February 16, 2018
Hostile environment
UpdatedSean Miller on the crowd at Wells Fargo Arena: “This is what college basketball should feel like.” pic.twitter.com/MXpUvXJRY7
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) February 16, 2018
Simplifying Ayton = better defense
UpdatedSean Miller says Arizona has played better defense over the last two games by “simplifying” tasks for Deandre Ayton on defense and letting him focus on one player for the entire game. pic.twitter.com/Bn6SneHINR
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) February 16, 2018
