Here's a game-by-game look at Arizona in Pac-12 play, and why they're a No. 5 seed in the conference tournament
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Alec White
Digital Sports Producer & Reporter
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This story is part of the Star's Pac-12 Tournament preview, which runs in Wednesday's newspaper and on Tucson.com.
University of Arizona basketball covers, ASU
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Jan. 4: No 25 Arizona 75, ASU 47
What went down: The Wildcats led from start to finish over their rival to begin conference play as Zeke Nnaji recorded 17 points and 11 rebounds, while bench players combined for 20 points. ASU went just 3 of 21 from 3-point range and turned the ball over 15 times.
He said it: “They had an army of big guys coming off the bench. We didn’t really have an inside presence.”
— ASU coach Bobby Hurley
University of Arizona basketball covers, Oregon 1
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Jan. 9: No. 9 Oregon 74, No. 24 Arizona 73 (OT)
What went down: The Cats had both a six-point lead in the final 1:47 of regulation and a one-point lead in the final 20 seconds of overtime erased by the Ducks. OU’s Will Richardson had the game-winning basket and Arizona turned the ball over as time expired in the extra period.
He said it: “There’s no shame in the way we played. It’s just, obviously, you know, the objective is to win and we didn’t. — UA coach Sean Miller
University of Arizona basketball covers, 2020, Oregon State 1
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Jan. 12: Oregon State 82, No. 24 Arizona 65
What went down: Arizona was outscored 33-16 over the final 12 minutes of the game and all five Beavers starters reached double-figures. OSU’s Tres Tinkle poured in 20 points, including three 3-pointers.
He said it: “So much of it was just, I’d use the word outclassed. We just weren’t able to match up with the players that they had.” — Miller
University of Arizona basketball covers, 2020, Oregon State 1
University of Arizona basketball covers, 2020, Utah
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Jan. 16: Arizona 93, Utah 77
What went down: The UA’s Max Hazzard erupted for 24 points off six 3-pointers and Nnaji also had 24 points. The Wildcats combined to hit a season-high 15 3s.
He said it: “I definitely felt like myself tonight. Got some good looks, my teammates were feeding me as well.”
— Hazzard
University of Arizona basketball covers, 2020, Colorado
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Jan. 18: Arizona 75, No. 20 Colorado 54
What went down: In the lone regular season matchup with the Buffaloes, the Cats stayed hot offensively after the Utah game as they drained nine 3s. The freshman trio of Nnaji, Josh Green and Nico Mannion combined for 37 points.
He said it: “We were just super focused, super locked-in.”
— Mannion
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Jan. 25: ASU 66, No. 20 Arizona 65
What went down: Down by as many as 22 points, the Sun Devils roared back in the second half to stun Arizona in Tempe. Alonzo Verge’s layup with 11 seconds left gave ASU the lead and Green couldn’t get off a clean look as time expired.
He said it: “They were clearly the more aggressive, hungrier team.” — Miller
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Jan. 30: Arizona 75, Washington 72
What went down: The Wildcats earned their first true road win of the season in Seattle as Jemarl Baker’s go-ahead 3-pointer with 42 second left put the UA up for good. Baker amassed a season-high 17 points and Stone Gettings was a zone-buster from mid-range, scoring 13 points.
He said it: “We’ve been in so many close games — ASU, Oregon — it’s been literally one play away. It was just really nice to be able to pull one out.” — Gettings
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Feb. 1: Arizona 66, Washington State 49
What went down: Gettings continued his impressive play with a season-high 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting. Arizona became the first Pac-12 team this season to earn a road sweep.
He said it: “I felt it a little bit at Washington and a little bit at the Red vs. Blue game, but it wasn’t since my Cornell days that I felt this good.” — Gettings
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Feb. 6: No. 23 Arizona 85, USC 80
What went down: The Cats almost let another 20-plus point lead slip away as USC’s Jonah Mathews made it a 3-point game with five seconds left. But Mannion made two free throws to ice it. Mannion, Nnaji and Green combined for 56 points.
He said it: “We have a very young group. We have a group with a lot to learn. We’re very fortunate to win tonight.” — Miller
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Feb. 8: UCLA 65, No. 23 Arizona 52
What went down: Arizona had its worst shooting performance in the 47-year history of McKale Center: 25.4 FG% on 15 of 59 shots. It also marked the third straight victory in Tucson for the Bruins, dating back to 2017.
He said it: “We played good defense and they missed some shots, too.” — UCLA coach Mick Cronin
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Feb 13: Arizona 68, Cal 52
What went down: After just 27 first-half points, the UA responded with 41 in the second half to down the Golden Bears on the road. Senior Dylan Smith hit 4 of 5 3s to secure the win.
He said it: “(Dylan) was certainly due and did a great job and we’re really proud of him.” — UA assistant coach Jack Murphy
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Feb 15: Arizona 69, Stanford 60
What went down: Stanford had no answer for Nnaji as he scored 21 points and added 11 rebounds. Arizona became the first Pac-12 school to earn two road sweeps this season.
He said it: “A road sweep in the Pac-12 is coveted. Every group of guys that does it, you realize how hard it is.” — Miller
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Feb 20: No. 24 Arizona 89, Oregon State 63
What went down: The Cats used a balanced offensive effort — 10 3s and 23 of 28 free throws — to avenge the early-season loss against the Beavers. Mannion scored 12 of his 16 points in the second half.
He said it: “It wasn’t something we talked about, but I think as a group, we kind of had that in mind. We owed them one.” — Mannion
University of Arizona basketball covers, 2020, Oregon 2
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Feb 22: No. 14 Oregon 73, No. 24 Arizona 72 (OT)
What went down: Arizona once again blew a late lead to the Ducks and fell in overtime. The UA lost control of a four-point lead in the final minute of regulation and Oregon’s Shakur Juiston hit the game winner with under two seconds left. Payton Pritchard had a monstrous 38-point night.
He said it: “You’ve got to consider yourself a little lucky when you win five overtime games.” — Oregon coach Dana Altman
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Feb 27: USC 57, Arizona 48
What went down: Onyeka Okongwu’s 72-foot basket at the first-half buzzer gave USC all the momentum in this one. The Wildcats offense was a no-show as they shot just 16 of 57 (28%) and missed 23 of their 26 3-pointers.
He said it: “Our offense is inept.” — Miller
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Feb 29: UCLA 69, Arizona 64
What went down: Another late lead, another lost lead. Up by four with under four minutes remaining, Arizona committed three straight turnovers and UCLA took control in the final minute. Miller received two technical fouls and was ejected midway through the second half, leaving Murphy as the designated head coach the remainder of the night.
He said it: “The fact that we spotted UCLA three points (on the technical free throws) ... I certainly regret (the ejection).” — Miller
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March 5: Arizona 83, Washington State 62
What went down: Down 31-29 at the break, the Cats used a 26-0 run in the second half to rout the Cougars and end a three-game losing streak. Mannion’s 23 points were his most since the Wooden Legacy in November.
He said it: “When we’re locked, we’re a really confident group, getting stops, getting out in transition. That’s when we’re at our best.”
— Mannion
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March 7: Washington 69, Arizona 63
What went down: Arizona’s shooting woes resurfaced as it shot just 35% (20 of 57) and turned the ball over 18 times in a home loss to the last-place Huskies. UW freshmen Isaiah Stewart and Jaden McDaniels combined for 36 points.
He said it: “Our performance tonight was poor. We weren’t ready to play.” — Miller
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Alec White
Digital Sports Producer & Reporter
