Washington Basketball Team stuns Arizona Wildcats 78-75

The Washington Basketball Team stuns Pac-12-leading and ninth-ranked Arizona Wildcats in a true thriller, 78-75

The Washington Basketball team, and head coach Mike Hopkins, have already achieved that which nobody thought possible. And even now, with the game out firmly entrenched in history, I checked the score several times on several websites to be sure I knew what I thought I knew. After all, it was such an incredible ending to such an incredible game that it’s hard to tell fairy tale from sports tale.

On one hand, would you have bet the game winner would fly off the hands of 6-foot-6 small forward Dominic Green?  On the other hand, could you guess that it would be the same Green who would become a laser-guided shooter from the perimeter, nailing four of five from the perimeter? And finally, would you have been able to predict that Washington big man Noah Dickerson would lead all scorers, despite facing Arizona’s Allonzon Trier and 7-foot-1 Deandre Ayton?

Not surprised? What’s that like?

If you could do that, you are likely not surprised by tonight’s outcome. But for me? I am stunned. And I’m willing to bet that I am not alone tonight.

There have been plenty of mixed sentiments over the hiring of head coach Mike Hopkins. But on the night, the game when former head coach Lorenzo Romar returned home to UW with his new team – the Arizona Wildcats – this Washington Basketball team proved that they buy in to the scheme and vision of Coach Hopkins. And he relishes the moment for his team, and his players.

After all that has happened to this team, this is a well-deserved moment of glory.

How does David scheme to defeat Goliath?

From the moment the game entered the “next game up” in the queue, the thought of how can a Washington Basketball team, outgunned and outmatched, defeat a nationally ranked Arizona Wildcat team filled my mind.

And as cliche’ as it is, the answer kept returning back to the belief that the Huskies must somehow learn to shoot the perimeter shot.  Much like David’s slingshot feeled the giant Goliath, so too must the Huskies learn to push the ball deep to Noah Dickerson and Sam Timmons, and then back out to the perimeter to their three-point shooting specialists.

The trouble? This team did not have any three-point shooting specialists. Until now, that is.

Dominic Green, a player who chose to remain with the Washington Basketball program when so many elected to seek their basketball opportunity, is now riding a wave of success.

Home court truly an advantage

Alaska Airlines Arena can rock. But tonight was clearly at another level altogether. The place was a rockin’.  After all, this was the epitome of a home team underdog facing a heavily favored visitor. And in the spirit of getting a competitive edge, of course the Huskies opted for a blackout night.

Romar’s return

But no jersey or color scheme could alter the fact that Lorenzo Romar, former Washington Huskies head coach, returned for the first time to Alaska Airlines Arena to face his former team. And before the game, the gentlemanly Romar made certain to reach out to the new Washington Basketball head coach.

To me, that moment became the point in time of full closure. The baton has been passed.  And now, the team is fully in the very-capable hands of Coach Hopkins and the Washington Huskies fans.

How good can this Washington Basketball team become?

Huskies fans are long overdue for a game of this magnitude, with this outcome. After enduring a 9-22 season last year, the most optimistic outlook for the team was a .500 season.  Now sitting a a 17-6 record, and 7-3 in the all-so-competitive Pac-12 conference, these Huskies have already ensured that they will finish with a winning record this season.

The fans for this team were generous with their appreciation. The Alaska Airlines Arena sold out for the third time this season, and the home town crowd let the competitors on the basketball court know they were there.

Savoring the magic

And nobody wanted to leave. It’s beginning to sink in now. The Huskies now have eight games remaining in the season. The magical, memorable season which is suddenly showcasing the talent and the spirit for the nation.

After all, why not savor the magical moment.  In an instant, this season will be gone.

Lightning strikes twice

This is not the first time that a three-pointer at the buzzer broke a 75-75 tie between the Washington Huskies and the Arizona Wildcats.  There was another time when the same two teams faced an almost identical moment. In that one, it fell to legendary point guard Isaiah Thomas to find a magical way to win.

Seven years later, the same two teams tied with the same score found themselves witnessing a similar magical shot from the hands of Dominic Green. Seven years later, the same two teams witnessed the same outcome.

NCAA Tournament?

After this one, no game seems out of reach for the Washington Huskies.  Some project the Pac-12 to land just three invitations to the 2018 NCAA tournament. While there is certainly some basketball remaining to play, one thing is for certain.

Next: Washington Basketball downs 25th ranked ASU 68-64

The Washington Basketball team, a team which is now 3-0 against nationally ranked teams this season, has earned a place in that discussion.