Arizona basketball (14-6, 8-1) and Caleb Love made history in McKale Center with an 86-75 overtime win against No. 3 Iowa State (17-3, 7-2).
Arizona was trailing by 3 points with 2.2 seconds left in the game, who did Arizona give the ball to? None other than THE Caleb (Clutch) Love. From just beyond half court Love chucked the ball up and hoped for the best, that is what he got. The crowd went absolutely wild. McKale Center was electrifying the entire night, Arizona had to win this game.
A historical game like the one that was just played between two incredibly talented programs is one that is indescribable, you had to be there and feel the energy in that arena.
This win was one that will change Arizona’s season. They will absolutely find themselves in the AP Top 25 after a top-10 upset like that. What does this mean for Iowa State?
Iowa State has had an incredible season. Although they took a hit to an unranked Arizona team, they should find themselves in the AP Top 25 again. They showed grit and determination in an atmosphere that is not for the weak. This game between these two programs will probably be the closest matchup we will see in the Big 12 Conference this year.
“Wow!” is an understatement for that game. History went down in McKale Center.
Takeaway #1: Arizona plays to the opponent’s level; in this case, it worked.
Going into this game it was almost impossible to predict how Arizona would match up against an incredibly strong Iowa State team because Arizona has lost games that were absolutely winnable and won games that could have absolutely ended in a loss, like this one!
Arizona consistently matches the energy of its opponents:
Texas Tech: predicted to win, lost by a long shot in the last five minutes.
West Virginia: should have been an easy win, lost due to sloppy play.
Baylor: High energy, strong basketball. Won by a landslide with high energy and strong basketball.
Iowa State: Iowa State brought the energy with intense, high pressure from the first whistle and Arizona matched them. Both teams put literally everything on the floor. There were a few times both teams spent more time on the floor than they did on their feet. Arizona came out with the win through grit, adrenaline, and determination.
Playing down to the opponent is the worst trait to have as a strong team like Arizona. The team lacks consistency and will need to see that change if the Wildcats want to see the end of the NCAA Tournament.
Takeaway #2: CHAOS
Describe that game in one word. CHAOS. That is the only answer.
McKale Center was electrifying, the loudest it has ever been and the players on both teams were absolutely feeling it. Sloppy turnovers, someone always on the floor, forced shots, bad calls. Everything that makes a basketball game chaotic went down at McKale Center.
Arizona played its best defensive game of the season but offensively, it was chaotic. The score at half time was only 34-30, that is a high school score line! Defense showed up on both ends of the court.
Tobe Awaka led the Wildcats tonight with a double-double. He performed tremendously on both ends of the ball with 17 points and 12 rebounds.
Jaden Bradley, Arizona’s silent assassin had SEVEN steals.
The Chaos was fueled by how close in talent these two programs are. Arizona shot 44% and 29-66 in field goals compared to Iowa State’s 43% and 28-65. Arizona had 40 rebounds compared to Iowa State’s 39. Arizona had 15 Turnovers compared to Iowa State’s 18. How would this matchup play out at the Cyclones’ home court?
The difference came in free throws and it always does. Iowa State shot 67% from the line compared to Arizona’s 82%.
When Arizona makes free throws, Arizona wins. When Arizona rebounds, Arizona wins.
This game truly could have gone either way.
Takeaway #3: Caleb (Clutch) Love
Caleb Love was 1-10 from the three-point line before hitting the buzzer beater that would make this game the best matchup in the Big 12 Conference this year.
In this game alone alone Caleb Love had two ESPN highlights; an insane slam dunk and a beyond halfcourt game-saving buzzer beater. This man is so Loved.
Although he saved the game, he was absent before his slam dunk. When he is not on the court the Arizona team struggles but it seems as though he just needs to be on the court. He has been a lower scoring player in the last few games for the Wildcats but has still been a key to their success.
Love and Tobe Awaka can both take player of the game tonight. Caleb Love finished with 22 points but just 1 rebound and 2 assists.
Postggame, Caleb Love was feeling the feels. He hugged Tommy Lloyd tight and gave a ton of credit to his team and the Iowa State team; he could not even believe what he just did. Could you?
Next up for Arizona (14-6, 8-1 Big 12): at Arizona State (2-6, 11-8) – Feb. 1 at 11 a.m. MST
Next up for Iowa State (17-3, 7-2): vs. Kansas State (2-6, 8-11) – Feb. 1 at 12 p.m. MST