Watch: 8 best things Arizona Wildcats said after winning Pac-12 Tournament championship

Back-to-back champs

By Justin Spears / Arizona Daily Star

LAS VEGAS — For the third time under Sean Miller, the Arizona Wildcats are the outright Pac-12 Champions, after the Cats took down USC in the Pac-12 Tournament 75-61. 

With a team that has been through an emotional roller coaster over the last month, Saturday was a day full of smiles. 

Sean Miller, Parker Jackson-Cartwright and Dusan Ristic cut down the nets in Las Vegas for the third time together. Miller also surpassed Lute Olson with the most Pac-12 Tournament wins in conference history with 17 and tied his assistant Lorenzo Romar with three tournament titles. 

Deandre Ayton once again stole the show with 32 points and 18 rebounds. Ayton became the first player in Pac-12 history to win Player of the Year, Freshman of the Year and the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.

Despite another monstrous performance from Ayton, the Trojans hung tough for most of the game. Then Rawle Alkins happened. With 9:30 to play, the Wildcats led 49-46 in a back-and-forth battle, but Alkins slashed to the bucket and caught a pass from Deandre Ayton. The result: Alkins put USC's Elijah Stewart on a poster, which inspired the Cats to have a dunk party. 

That was the tipping point of the game and Arizona ran away with the title. Now the Wildcats turn their focus to the NCAA Tournament where they'll likely stay out west and play in San Diego for the first two rounds. 

Jackson-Cartwright, Ayton, Alkins, Allonzo Trier and Keanu Pinder all spoke after the game. Here's what they had to say: 

"It's all worth it."

Parker Jackson-Cartwright: “It’s all worth it.” pic.twitter.com/EACJYMgtv8

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 11, 2018

Back-to-back for Trier

2017 Pac-12 Tournament MOP Allonzo Trier (@ISO_ZO) on leading the Cats to back-to-back conference titles: “I’m so blessed and thankful to be a part of this two times in a row.” pic.twitter.com/zhznQBGyjn

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 11, 2018

Was Rawle Alkins' dunk the best of the season?

Rawle Alkins on his highlight dunk and legacy at Arizona: pic.twitter.com/DqQALei03A

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 11, 2018

"He need to go to jail for that."

.@DeandreAyton on @Iam_RawleAlkins’ highlight dunk: “I’ve never seen a dunk like that. That was some 2K animation stuff.” pic.twitter.com/JYwszYcWE6

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 11, 2018

Ayton's-oops

Deandre Ayton on alley-oops: “Just throw it up the air and imma get it.” pic.twitter.com/crjZFxGKIX

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 11, 2018

Ayton's night was the best of the weekend

Deandre Ayton says his championship performance tonight was the best of the weekend, because he had more dunks. pic.twitter.com/UKdiFwcjWa

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 11, 2018

Keanu Pinder's emotions

Keanu Pinder after winning the Pac-12 Championship: pic.twitter.com/U02XIIebfG

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 11, 2018

Ayton is speechless

Deandre Ayton on winning the Pac-12 Championship: “Incredible. I’m speechless. It felt like we played at McKale all three games.” pic.twitter.com/6qyhOSlgXV

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 11, 2018

NCAA Tournament

Deandre Ayton on looking ahead to the NCAA Tournament: pic.twitter.com/HBq7OgJeg7

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 11, 2018