The Arizona Wildcats will advance to the Sweet 16 with their defeat over the Oregon Ducks in the 2nd Round of the NCAA Tournament. Despite a sluggish start for Arizona, the Wildcats managed to fight their back take control of the game, and never relinquish its lead into the second half.
This marks the Wildcats’ second consecutive Sweet 16 appearance and their third under Head Coach Tommy Lloyd. Arizona will now face No. 1 seed Duke in Newark, New Jersey with a chance to continue its tournament run. The Blue Devils previously defeated the Wildcats in a November matchup, setting the stage for a highly anticipated rematch next week.
Oregon’s Hot Start Put Arizona In a Hole
Oregon came out of the gates firing on all cylinders and took an early lead over the Wildcats. The Ducks opened the game shooting 4-of-6 from the field while forcing multiple turnovers. Jackson Shelstad led the way for Oregon with his aggressive play, which allowed the Ducks to take a 19-4 lead by the first media timeout.
Arizona could not find its rhythm to begin this game, with the Wildcats making just one of their first six shots to start this game. Oregon took full advantage of this and went on an 11-0 run that put them firmly in control over the first several minutes of this game. With the momentum entirely in Oregon’s favor, Arizona faced an uphill battle.
However, the Wildcats refused to fold. Caleb Love did once again what he has done all season long for the Wildcats, and that has helped to spark their offense. Love helped his team slowly chip away at the deficit. While Oregon maintained a double-digit lead for most of the first half, the Wildcats were laying the groundwork for a major turnaround.
Arizona’s Response: A Tale Of Two Halves
Although Arizona trailed by 15 points through the first half, it was able to fight its way back into the game with a pair of 9-0 scoring runs. Love buried a deep three-pointer to cut the Ducks’ lead to 26-23, shifting momentum in Arizona’s favor.
Jaden Bradley later finished at the rim to give Arizona its first lead at 32-31 with 4:48 left before halftime. The Wildcats’ defense tightened up, forcing Oregon into tough shots while controlling the boards. Arizona outscored Oregon 38-19 over the final 15 minutes of the half, heading into the break with a 42-38 advantage.
The second half saw Arizona build upon its lead. The Wildcats extended their margin to 11 points, with Tobe Awaka dominating the glass. Awaka recorded his ninth double-double of the season, finishing with 12 points and a team-high 14 rebounds.
Late-Game Drama As Oregon Makes Final Push
Despite Arizona having control of the game through the second half, Oregon refused to go away. The Ducks chipped away at the lead and made one final push in the closing minutes. Shelstad and Nate Bittle knocked down key shots, cutting Arizona’s advantage to just two points with 49 seconds left.
Love responded in clutch fashion, drawing a foul and calmly sinking free throws to push the Wildcats ahead by four. The Ducks had one last chance to extend the game, but Arizona’s defense held firm. A late turnover sealed Oregon’s fate, allowing the Wildcats to run out the clock.
Five Wildcats finished in double figures, with Love leading the way with 29 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists. His performance marked the 13th time this season he surpassed 20 points, proving once again to be Arizona’s go-to scorer in crucial moments.
Final Thoughts
This game was a true test for Arizona, allowing it to showcase its ability to weather an early barrage and still be able to battle back and retake control. In this game, the Wildcats had a balanced scoring attack and were able to dominate on the glass which helped to secure their victory. While their defense struggled early, they could not make the necessary adjustments and take control of the game.
Now, Arizona advances and turns its attention to top-seeded Duke. The Wildcats, already familiar with this team, will be looking to avenge their early season loss and earn a trip to the Elite 8. With their toughest challenge yet upcoming, they’ve been able to put together multiple performances that prove they are battle-ready as the Sweet 16 awaits.
