In a dramatic showdown at Seattle's Climate Pledge Arena, the Arizona Wildcats edged out their Pac-12 rivals, the Oregon Ducks, with a final score of 87-83, advancing to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.
Caleb Love was instrumental in the victory, scoring 27 points, including critical free throws in the closing seconds to seal the win. The Wildcats, ranked as a No. 4 seed, faced off against No. 5 seeded Oregon after both teams had exhibited impressive performances in their opening games earlier in the tournament.
Arizona had dominated No. 13 seeded Akron with a commanding 93-65 win, while the Ducks dispatched No. 12 seeded Liberty 81-52. Arizona was favored to win, with a -3.5 point spread, but the match proved to be closely contested.
The game began with Oregon taking an early lead, shooting effectively in the first half, but Arizona rallied back, showcasing their resilience. At halftime, Arizona led 42-38 after a late surge where they outscored Oregon 38-19 in the final stages of the half.
“Caleb Love just hit a big 3-pointer to put Arizona up 80-73,” announced the commentator, highlighting Love's clutch performance in the game as he scored Arizona's last 10 points in quick succession, demonstrating the kind of leadership and explosiveness Arizona needed. Love has a history of strong performances against Oregon, having previously scored career-high 36 points against them last season.
However, Oregon was not to be counted out. They battled back, with Jackson Shelstad leading their attack, finishing the game as one of the key scorers. The Ducks had expertly rallied to pull within striking distance, thanks to the contributions of their roster, which includes talented players like Nate Bittle and Keeshawn Barthelemy.
As the clock ran down, Oregon found themselves trailing by just two points. Jackson Shelstad made a driving layup with only ten seconds remaining, narrowing the gap 81-80. This set the stage for an exciting finish where Arizona’s Anthony Dell’Orso hit two crucial free throws, giving the Wildcats a narrow 85-82 lead.
In a frantic conclusion, Oregon attempted a last-minute three-pointer to tie the game but fell short as Caleb Love rebounded a missed shot and converted his free throws to finalize the score.
Arizona's impressive ability to sustain a lead and maintain composure in critical moments was commendable, especially as they recovered from a sluggish start that had them trailing by as much as 15 points earlier in the game.
The finish not only marks a continuation of their NCAA Tournament journey but also stokes the fire of rivalry as both teams transition out of their former conference, the Pac-12. Despite their change in league affiliations, the intensity and electrifying atmosphere remained high during the matchup.
Head coach Tommy Lloyd praised his team’s defensive efforts throughout the challenging contest, reinforcing their strategy which has been redefined this season to emphasize defensive play alongside their proficient offense.
“The matchup between Nate Bittle and Tobe Awaka was crucial. Bittle is playing the best basketball of his career and could win games for us,” said Coach Lloyd post-game. Lloyd’s acknowledgment of critical matchups added context to the depth of talent on both squads.
Overall, the game demonstrated the unpredictable nature of March Madness. With close score margins, every possession counts, and star players like Caleb Love rise to the occasion as seen today. Oregon's ability to keep their gameplay strategy sharp and efficient was highlighted; however, their efforts ultimately came just short.
Looking ahead, Arizona will now prepare to face off against the No. 1 Duke in the East Regional Semifinals, following Duke's dominant victory over No. 9 seed Baylor.
With the stakes higher than ever, fans, analysts, and players alike are keen to see if Arizona can carry this momentum forward and contend for their ultimate goal: the national title.
