Wild About '88: Chapter 29: Arizona destroys USC, clinches a tie for Pac-10 Title with UCLA looming.
Wild About '88: Chapter 29: Arizona destroys USC, clinches a tie for Pac-10 Title with UCLA looming.
This season marks the 35th anniversary of one of Tucson’s most beloved teams of all time, the 1987-88 Arizona Wildcats that finished 35-3 and went to the program’s first Final Four. We will celebrate that team by recapping each game during that unforgettable season by referencing newspaper archives and interviews conducted during the making of the upcoming documentary film ‘Wild About ‘88: The Rise of Arizona Basketball.’ (Some interview quotes in this series have been edited for clarity.)
February 18, 1988 at USC.
The last time Arizona took on George Raveling’s USC Trojans, they handed them their worse loss in program history.
The second matchup was not much different.
Arizona shot 59 percent from the field and was led by Sean Elliott’s 19 points.
“Our offense will take care of itself. Our biggest concern is getting consistent defensive play,” Lute Olson said. “Sean Elliott has really taken pride in his improved defense.”
Arizona’s starting backcourt of Craig McMillan and Steve Kerr was a two-headed dragon that took fire to the USC defense.
Kerr continued his scorching shooting from outside, shooting a perfect 4 for 4 from behind the arc. In 14 conference games, Kerr is shooting 65 percent from three-point land.
McMillan did his damage by distributing the ball. His ten assists were a new career high.
“Coach has been getting on me to drive more. That opens up things inside,” McMillan said.
The Wildcats’ domination allowed the lovable Gumbies to see a lot of time on the hardwood.
Harvey Mason led the Gumbies with 10 points while Matt Muelhebach’s late three-pointer put Arizona past the 100-point mark for the third time in the season.
No. 3 Arizona would clinch a tie for the Pac-10 Championship with a 103-68 win, improving their record to 24-2 and 13-1 in the conference.
Olson and company would have a chance to clinch the Pac-10 title outright at Pauley Pavilion vs. UCLA in the next game.
“UCLA beat us there last year. They rubbed it in, they put salt in the wounds,” Elliott said. “It would be nice to go in there and beat them and walk out casually.”
Next up: February 20, 1988 at UCLA
Blog content and original interview quotations © Waterfoot Films 2023.
Jack Rickard, “One down, Bruins to go: Cats clinch Pac-10 title tie”, The Tucson Citizen, February 19 1988, Page Two—Section F.; Jack Rickard, “There ought to be a law, says Raveling: USC coach dizzied by UA three-pointers.; Dana Cooper, Memories ‘88.; Jay Gonzales, “Cats clinch tie for title,” The Arizona Daily Star, February 19 1988 Page One and Ten—Section C.
Jack Rickard, “One down, Bruins to go: Cats clinch Pac-10 title tie”, The Tucson Citizen, February 19 1988, Page Two—Section F.
Jack Rickard, “One down, Bruins to go: Cats clinch Pac-10 title tie”, The Tucson Citizen, February 19 1988, Page Two—Section F.
Jack Rickard, “One down, Bruins to go: Cats clinch Pac-10 title tie”, The Tucson Citizen, February 19 1988, Page One—Section F.