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This bracket takes an overall look at the best play in Arizona Wildcats history. The best play will be determined through a vote of readers. In case of a tie-breaker, yours truly will make a determination:
In the first upset of this bracket, Michael Wright’s game-winner at No. 1 Stanford in 2001 upset Tom Tolbert’s twisting, no-look shot against North Carolina in the 1988 Elite Eight.
Wright’s shot gained 57.1 percent of the vote compared to Tolbert’s 42.9. Wright moves on to the Elite Eight to face a heavyweight in this bracket — Derrick Williams’ game-saving blocked shot against Washington in 2011.
Williams’ stellar defensive play defeated Sean Rooks’ last-second shot at Stanford in 1991 with a vote of 73.9 percent to 26.1.
Voting begins on the Wright-Williams matchup today:
For mobile devices, PLEASE CLICK HERE to access poll.
Why vote for Michael Wright’s game-winning shot that toppled No. 1 Stanford in 2001:
Michael Wright
Wright’s layup with three seconds left gave No. 8 Arizona a 76-75 victory over top-ranked Stanford at Maples. Stanford led for much of the second half, but Gilbert Arenas’ steal and layup with 3:06 left gave Arizona a two-point lead. Stanford retook the lead on four points by Jason Collins, but he was called for an offensive foul with 42 seconds left. Jason Gardner hit one free throw to pull Arizona within 75-74. Casey Jacobsen missed a 3-pointer with 16 seconds left, allowing Arizona to set up one last play. Wright got the ball in the middle of the key, maneuvered between two defenders and put the ball in. With three seconds on the clock, Jarron Collins threw a length-of-the-court pass that was intercepted by Arenas. The Wildcats stormed the court in celebration.
Why vote for Derrick Williams’ game-saving blocked shot against Washington in 2011:
Derrick Williams
Williams, playing through the pain of a broken right pinky, leaped up and swatted Darnell Gant’s shot into the stands, and then finished off Washington by stealing the inbound pass to preserve a wild 87-86 win for Arizona. Solomon Hill gave Arizona the lead on a putback with 24 seconds left, but the Wildcats traded a turnover by Washington with one of their own after failing to get the ball inbound. Taking the ball out under the basket with 2.2 seconds left, the Huskies got the ball to Gant in the lane. As Gant rose for his shot, so did Williams, who swatted the shot away into the stands.
OTHER SIDE OF THE BRACKET:
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Perfect gift for any Arizona or college hoops fan this holiday season: A complete rundown of the Arizona basketball program as we might not know it put together by longtime Tucson sportswriters Steve Rivera and Anthony Gimino. Please e-mail Rivera, Gimino or ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com for ordering details.
CLICK HERE to read Javier Morales’ review
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POLLS STILL OPEN:
For mobile devices, PLEASE CLICK HERE to access poll.
For mobile devices, PLEASE CLICK HERE to access poll.
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For mobile devices, PLEASE CLICK HERE to access poll.
For mobile devices, PLEASE CLICK HERE to access poll.
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CLICK ON BRACKET TO ACCESS BLOG TO VOTE:
GAME FOURTEEN — SWEET 16
For mobile devices, PLEASE CLICK HERE to access poll.
GAME FIFTEEN — SWEET 16
For mobile devices, PLEASE CLICK HERE to access poll.
GAME SIXTEEN — SWEET 16
For mobile devices, PLEASE CLICK HERE to access poll.
GAME SEVENTEEN — SWEET 16
For mobile devices, PLEASE CLICK HERE to access poll.
GAME EIGHTEEN — SWEET 16
For mobile devices, PLEASE CLICK HERE to access poll.
GAME TWENTY — ELITE EIGHT
For mobile devices, PLEASE CLICK HERE to access poll.
ALLSPORTSTUCSON.com publisher, writer and editor Javier Morales is a former Arizona Press Club award winner. He also writes articles for Bleacher Report and Lindy’s College Sports.
