PJ Brown: 'Never-give-up' mentality, energy foster memories of '19 Arizona hoops squad

After experiencing Arizona’s one-point loss to No. 5 Colorado not long ago from my spot in the stands, I was struck with a familiar feeling.

At first, I couldn’t really put my finger on it. It felt like something from a galaxy far, far away.

OK, not quite (maybe that part had to do with the light sabers … err … glow sticks the 7,386 in attendance were waving throughout).

That McKale Center was definitely rocking. It started that Friday night and continued on Sunday when Arizona upset then-No. 15 Utah, 71-70. The environment off the court was electric.

It brought me back to home games a few seasons ago against Cal, UCLA and Oregon State. The ‘never give up’ mentality on the court reminded me also of away games against Cal and Stanford.

Those matchups all happened to be played during the 2018-19 season, in the midst of the first build of Adia Barnes’ UA coaching era.

And while the Wildcats and Barnes often say they’d like to focus on what’s next, sometimes it helps to look back to gain a little context into where this year’s squad stands.

How do you make sense of a team that wasn’t expected to make much noise coming within six points of winning the three league games they lost; those six points are the difference between Arizona being ranked, let alone 5-0 in conference play.

This year’s Wildcats clearly bring energy, often leaving everything on the court. Examples like Helena Pueyo playing 174 minutes of a total of 176 minutes in the last four games is proof of that.

Back in 2018-19, those Wildcats also brought energy and a determination to put the UA program back on the map after so many down years.

That 2018-19 team was on the brink of breaking through just like this year’s version. In moments when teams like these just aren’t quite there yet, there are games won that should have been losses; games lost that should be wins. Mostly though, the current Wildcats just seem like they are in every game even if they aren’t always finishing.

This was the case again Friday night at Oregon State when Arizona had a chance to win it in regulation; the Wildcats ended up on the losing end after two extra periods, 73-70. Same can be said about Sunday’s 70-68 loss at Oregon.

One thing you could expect from either the 2019-19 or 2023-34 teams was a fun brand of basketball. I also sense the beginning of something ... of something that could follow a familiar path.

The 2019 team consisted of mostly veteran players, with transfers Aari McDonald, Tee Tee Starks and Dominique McBryde leading the way alongside junior point guard Lucia Alonso — she was Barnes’ first UA recruit — and senior Destiny Graham.

This year’s squad is full of youngsters or new-to-the-UA-program players, including recent transfers Isis Beh and Courtney Blakely.

Another difference is that this year’s upset of the 15th-ranked Utes, to this point, is bigger than the Wildcats’ takedown of Cal in 2019. It also may be that while it’s still right around the midway point of the season, these Wildcats seem to be a little further along on their journey.

Of course, time will tell. But one thing is for sure: these Wildcats have been battle-tested with what was the toughest non-conference slate to date under Barnes. Also, the Pac-12 is arguably the toughest it’s been in what is the final go-around in this format.

Looking back at those league games from five years ago, plenty of similarities are apparent between the seasons including lots of ups and downs, things working out just right on one night, to not making key free throws on another. Sometimes, it was the Wildcats giving up the lead in the last minute or so, or dealing with the aftermath of a few questionable calls (see: at Cal). And, of course, once in a while, Arizona failed to box out and gave up too many second-chance opportunities, just like we saw late in the game against Oregon State last weekend.

The Wildcats of 2018-19 had nine games against ranked opponents, winning two of them — both at home — against No. 17 ASU and No. 24 Cal. That team was one of the first teams left out of the NCAA Tournament, but made that count. They turned that slight into a WNIT Championship in front of a sellout crowd in McKale, opening the door for even more home success and on the national stage in the years to come.

Here’s a look at four key Spring 2019 games that almost seem like they could be from this season, from this year’s team:

Jan. 11: No. 24 Cal at homeFinal: Arizona wins 60-55

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What went down: The Wildcats let Cal back into this one after leading 34-22 at the half. Kristine Anigwe tied it up at 53-53 on a jumper with a little more than a minute left. McDonald scored all seven points — free throws to pick up the win.

She said it: “Our players have fought,” Barnes said. “Our payers have shown grit and character and passion. They’ve done everything I’ve asked. Looking in their eyes, they were determined and knew we could win I didn’t see that look in Utah, but I saw that look against ASU.”

Feb. 22: at No. 7 Stanford

Final: Arizona loses, 56-54

What went down: With a little more than four minutes left in the game, UA extends the lead to seven on a steal and a finish by McBryde. Lacie Hull knocks down a 3 and Alana Smith hits two more to give Stanford the win. Thomas, McBryde and McDonald all had looks in the final three minutes. McDonald missed two free throws (with 17 seconds) and one from long distance rimmed out in the waning seconds.

She said it: “We are closing the gaps,” Barnes said. “A month ago, we lost to Stanford by 30, and now we are competing at Stanford. When is that last time that happened? We’re competing and growing as a program and doing it playing with a short bench and not a lot of experience.

“I think we have a chance. (Stanford) would have been a big win. If we beat Cal, we put ourselves in a good situation.”

Feb. 24: at Cal

Final: Arizona loses, 82-76, OT

What went down: Arizona was up by 20 in the third quarter. Cal rallies to tie it at 62 all with 17 seconds left on a 3 by Reece Caldwell. Thomas gives UA a one-point lead, 63-62, making one of two free throws. Then, in possibly one of craziest calls ever, after Starks blocks a shot Thomas and Anigwe go for the ball, Thomas falls down and Anigwe steps on her. The officials call a foul on Thomas, and Anigwe ties it making one of two free throws. (I will die on this hill: Anigwe fouled Thomas.)

In the overtime, Cal pulls ahead on a 3-pointer by McKenzie Forbes with 65 seconds left and grows the lead from there.

McDonald breaks the UA women’s basketball single season scoring record with 672 points. She would go on to set the standard for both UA women’s and men’s basketball with 890 points.

She said it: “(Last weekend) showed us we can play with anybody in the country and we can defend anybody in the country at times when we are playing disciplined,” said Barnes. “But it’s also tough to finish Stanford-Cal-Oregon- Oregon State. That’s a pretty darn tough four games. But what are you going to do?”

March 3: vs. No. 9 Oregon State

Final: Arizona loses 65-60, 2 OT

What went down: McBryde’s jumper gives UA the lead, 49-48. Destiny Slocum responds, giving OSU a 50-49 lead. McBryde hits a 3-pointer for the 52-50 lead with 22 seconds left. OSU’s Katie McWilliams misses a 3-pointer and Mikayla Pivec gets the offensive rebound. After a timeout, Pivec scores on a layup. McDonald’s 3 with one second remaining is off the mark to send it into overtime.

McBryde starts out the second overtime with a jumper, and McDonald hits two free throws, but the Wildcats don’t score for the final 3½ minutes. Joanna Grymek blocked two of McDonald’s shots.

She said it: “Today fighting to come back and going to double overtime with a team that’s gone to the Final Four,” Barnes said. “Down the stretch, it’s very difficult because they’ve been there. We’ve been there this year, but we haven’t been able to get over the hump and win one of those games.

“(We were in it) because of our defense, because of other things, because of our passion plays, because of those things.”