Road to 111: Dusan Ristic's top 5 performances as an Arizona Wildcat
As Dusan Ristic approaches the all-time wins record at Arizona, here are the best games in his four seasons as a Wildcat.
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Arizona center Dusan Ristic (14) signals after hitting a three-pointer late in the second half against Oregon in their Pac-12 game at McKale Center, Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015, Tucson, Ariz.
By Justin Spears / Arizona Daily Star
Four years ago, Dusan Ristic left his hometown of Novi Sad, Serbia and traveled 6,254 miles to Arizona to play college basketball.
Now a senior, Ristic is just two wins away (109) from becoming the all-time wins leader in program history, only trailing Matt Muehelbach and Kaleb Tarczewski who each have 110.
In order to get the record, the player has to actually receive minutes in games. While Parker Jackson-Cartwright came to the UA at the same time as Ristic, he sat out 10 games between his freshman and junior year. Ristic missed three total games over the course of his career and hasn't missed action this season.
If Ristic is about to be the No. 1 Cat in wins, which were his best games at Arizona? Here are the best five games of Ristic's career:
5. Northern Arizona (2017-18)
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Arizona Wildcats center Dusan Ristic (14) makes the basket as he's defended by Northern Arizona Lumberjacks forward Isaiah Thomas (33) in the first half during a game at McKale Center on November 10, 2017.
When: Nov. 10, 2017
Where: McKale Center
Points: 20
Field goal: 8-13 (61.5 percent)
Free throws: 4-4 (100 percent)
Rebounds: 10
Blocks: 2
Comment: The season opener against Northern Arizona would be the last first game of the year for Ristic. He contributed 20 points and even one-upped Deandre Ayton who scored 19 points against the Lumberjacks. Ristic earned his third double-double at the UA and tied his career-high in points. Here's highlights from that game with Ristic's highlights beginning at the 43-second mark.
4. UConn (2017-18)
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Connecticut guard Jalen Adams (4) comes in from behind to strip Arizona center Dusan Ristic (14) of the ball in the paint in the first half of their game at McKale Center, Thursday, December 21, 2017, Tucson, Ariz.
When: Dec. 21, 2017
Where: McKale Center
Points: 18
Field goal: 6-9 (66.7 percent)
Free throws: 6-9 (66.7 percent)
Rebounds: 10
Blocks: 1
Comment: In the final nonconference contest of the season, Arizona played a small, but long Connecticut team in the rematch of the 2011 Elite Eight. The Huskies kept it close and trailed by just a point in the latter part of the second half, but Ristic's 8 points and one assist to Jackson-Cartwright's 3-pointer in the final 10 minutes of the game would propel the Wildcats over UConn for the first time in program history.
3. UNLV (2015-16)
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Arizona’s Dusan Ristic has started seven games at center since Kaleb Tarczewski went out with a foot stress reaction on Nov. 26. Here he outreaches UNLV forward Derrick Jones.
When: Dec. 19, 2015
Where: McKale Center
Points: 20
Field goal: 6-8 (75 percent)
Free throws: 7-8 (87.5 percent)
Rebounds: 2
Blocks: 2
Comment: This was one of Ristic's games that could've been ranked lower than his performance against UConn this season, but as a sophomore, Ristic came in clutch for Arizona. With starter Kaleb Tarczewski out with a left foot injury that kept him out for eight games, Ristic was installed into the starting lineup and had to face a tough task against Runnin' Rebels: guard superstar freshman Stephen Zimmerman. Fortunately for Ristic, Zimmerman sustained a knee injury in the first half so the challenge dwindled down. Ristic knocked down his first 3-pointer of his career and the Wildcats squeaked by UNLV in the final minutes 82-70.
2. Washington (2017-18)
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Arizona Wildcats center Dusan Ristic (14) shoots over Washington Huskies forward Sam Timmins (33) during the first half of the No. 9 University of Arizona Wildcats vs. University of Washington Huskies college basketball game on Feb. 3, 2018, at Alaska Airlines Arena in Seattle, Wash.
When: Feb. 3, 2018
Where: Alaska Airlines Arena at Hec Edmundson Pavilion, Seattle
Points: 21
Field goal: 9-13 (69.2 percent)
Free throws: 3-4 (75 percent)
Rebounds: 10
Blocks: 1
Comment: Who doesn't remember Washington winning off a buzzer-beater 3-pointer by Dominic Green? While that was one of the most heartbreaking losses for the Wildcats this season, it was still one of the top performances from Ristic. He scored 13 points in the second half and knocked down back-to-back baskets that gave Arizona a three-point lead with 3:13 left in the game. Despite Ristic's team-high 21 points, it wasn't enough as Arizona fell to UW for its second road loss in Pac-12 play. Here's Ristic after the game:
1. Utah (2017-18)
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Arizona Wildcats center Dusan Ristic (14) celebrates a made three-pointer during the first half.
When: Jan. 3, 2018
Where: McKale Center
Points: 23
Field goal: 9-11 (81.8 percent), 3-3 from 3-point range (100 percent)
Free throws: 3-3 (100 percent)
Rebounds: 7
Blocks: 2
Comment: The stars couldn't of aligned more perfectly for Ristic to have the best game in his time in Tucson. Ristic was aiming to become to the 52nd player in program history to reach 1,000 career points and the way he reached the milestone was not in the fashion most would expect. With just over two minutes left in the game, Utah led 68-67 and Ristic hit a jump shot to take a 69-68 lead.
On the following offensive possession for Arizona, Ristic got the ball on the top of the key and was supposed to give an entry pass to Ayton in the post, but he was already 2 of 2 from 3-point range, why not try another one? Ristic hit the 3-pointer and gave Arizona a 72-68 lead, but more importantly, he reached the 1,000 career-point mark with a shot he's only attempted 20 times before that night. A career-high in points, a program milestone and a win? Ristic was living the high life that night.
Afterwards, Ristic walked into the postgame press conference room and made sure everyone knew that his performance against Utah was the best of his career at Arizona. The following Monday, Ristic was named Pac-12 Player of the Week for the first time ever.
Dusan Ristic on his career performance against Utah: “Was this my best game ever? I think this was my best game at Arizona so far. So I just wanted to answer the question in advance for you guys.”
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) January 28, 2018
🎥 For more videos of Arizona’s postgame press conference: https://t.co/9Xby3AIzuA pic.twitter.com/aAQ1XXca6Z
