Arizona is unbeaten no more, as UNLV knocked of the third-ranked Wildcats 71-67 last night in Las Vegas. Arizona had three chances in the final minute to tie or take the lead.
Here are the final three offensive possessions for Arizona.
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First Stanley Johnson makes a defensive play that leads to a fast break. T.J. McConnell finds Johnson for what should have been an easy lay in over Cody Doolin. But the freshman – and leading scorer for Arizona – misses, and UNLV cleans up the glass.
Then came the controversial play of the game. Arizona runs a pick and pop that gets Brandon Ashley an open three. Before we get into the controversy, Arizona got this look because of two reasons.
First, Chris Wood, who is defending Ashley, is occupied with the big man cutting through the lane. This causes Wood to be late to defending the ball screen. Second, UNLV uses an ice defense on side pick and rolls, which is vulnerable to pick and pops because both defenders shuttle the ball handler to the baseline.
Now for the potential goaltending.
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It looks like Jelan Kendrick hits at least the net while the ball is in the cylinder. But this is the only angle being blasted around the internet. It is still impossible to be certain what exactly Kendrick hit and where the ball was.
But Kendrick came up big on the final clip as well. Again, it is tough to tell if he actually touches the ball. But he did force the turnover from Stanley Johnson.
Some miscues from a super freshman, a little controversy and ultimately no points on three trips in the final minute for third-ranked Arizona gives UNLV the upset.