Editor’s note: The following story first appeared in the April 1, 1997 edition of the Arizona Daily Star:
1 of 2 UA coach Lute Olson holds up the net for the fans after Arizona beat Kentucky 84-79 in overtime to win the national championship.
“Our kids showed their toughness to the very end,” said UA coach Lute Olson, who at 62, does not have to worry now about retiring without a championship. “What’s most impressive is three No. 1 seeds went down.The Wildcats streak embodies more than a six-game joy ride through the tournament, ending last night with an 84-79 win in overtime over Kentucky at the RCA Dome. Arizona became North Carolina State last night. The UA knows how Villanova felt 12 years ago.
Jason Terry ran from baseline to baseline, waving Arizona’s championship cap in the air. Simon and Michael Dickerson, the cornerstones of the team, embraced. Mike Bibby was mobbed by the UA reserves. With each possession and field goal attempt in the last 11 minutes of regulation, the tension grew. In that span, there were 11 lead changes and six ties. Neither team took a lead of more than three points.
With the UA ahead 72-68, Mercer nailed a three-pointer to cut the lead to 72-71 with 51.1 seconds left. Arizona responded with a pass off penetration from Bibby to Bennett Davison, putting the UA up 74-71 with 18.7 seconds remaining. The Wildcats already showed they were tough enough to handle Kentucky’s press. That was a non-factor in the game because the UA had only three turnovers off of that pressure.
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