Watch: 9 best things Arizona Wildcats said after cruising past USC
Sean Miller says Saturday's win over USC was the best overall performance on offense and defense.
Crucial win
Updated
Arizona center Dusan Ristic, sporting a mouse under his right eye, gets his high-fives as he comes off the floor late in the second quarter against USC at McKale Center on Feb. 10, 2018.
By Justin Spears / Arizona Daily Star
With first place of the Pac-12 on the line and a three-game losing streak staring Arizona in the face, Saturday night's contest against USC had a sink-or-swim vibe to it.
After the loss to UCLA, Dusan Ristic said Arizona performs better when the Wildcats are having fun and against the Bruins, they didn't enjoy the game. The UA sure appeared to have a blast in the 81-67 win over USC, particularly Rawle Alkins.
In the back-to-back losses to Washington and UCLA, Alkins shot a combine 4 of 20 from the field for nine points. Alkins bested the last two games in just the first half against the Trojans with 11 points on 3 of 4 shooting from 3-point range. Alkins finished with game-high 20 points and five assists.
With UCLA falling to Arizona State and Washington losing to Oregon State, Arizona's scenario for the Pac-12 regular season title got much brighter, because it has a two-game lead in the conference.
So now what? Arizona is 20-6, 10-3 in the conference and hits the road next week to play ASU and the Sun Devils are coming off their first sweep of the season. Rivalry week is upon us.
Dusan Ristic, Sean Miller and Alkins spoke at the postgame press conference, here's what they had to say.
Rawle's return
UpdatedRawle Alkins in coming back from his two-game slump: “There’s no secret to it. ...I played like trash.” Also said he felt no pain in his foot. pic.twitter.com/oDrI6sl3c3
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) February 11, 2018
Does this team go where Alkins goes? Nope.
UpdatedSean Miller: “This team goes where Deandre Ayton goes.” Miller also says this was Arizona’s best performance on both sides of the floor. pic.twitter.com/BJC5yv6VyO
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) February 11, 2018
Having fun
UpdatedRawle Alkins: “When we’re having fun, it shows and I think we can beat anyone in the country.” pic.twitter.com/6Z5z5fHYDK
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) February 11, 2018
How did Dusan Ristic get a black eye?
UpdatedDusan Ristic on how he got a black eye tonight: pic.twitter.com/T7OLbGyMJ7
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) February 11, 2018
Running the boards
UpdatedDusan Ristic on Arizona winning the rebounding battle 40-22: pic.twitter.com/RvgiT3E3rL
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) February 11, 2018
Alkins' confidence
UpdatedSean Miller on Rawle Alkins’ confidence against USC: pic.twitter.com/hui49OQTcG
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) February 11, 2018
Dusan Ristic: All-Pac-12 player
UpdatedSean Miller says Dusan Ristic just became an all-conference player with his play over the last month. pic.twitter.com/PeWvPND6Aj
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) February 11, 2018
Ayton's season progress
UpdatedSean Miller on @DeandreAyton’s progression from November until now: pic.twitter.com/LT2wASxkgq
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) February 11, 2018
Looking ahead to ASU
UpdatedSean Miller looking ahead to ASU: pic.twitter.com/mhPa7XvPDT
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) February 11, 2018
