The Wildcats' 16th Sweet 16
- Sweet 16 record after game: 10-6
- Who was the star? Aaron Gordon early, Nick Johnson late. Gordon, much maligned for his iffy jump shot, was the rock that kept Arizona in a game that San Diego State controlled most of the way. As Nick Johnson struggled and fellow forwards Kaleb Tarczewski and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson dealt with foul trouble, Gordon shot 7 for 9, hit a three-pointer, snagged six boards, dished out two steals, blocked a shot, turned it over just once and had another signature "how-the-heck-does-he-jump-that-high" alley-oop finish that gave the Cats the charge they needed to stay close until Johnson could find his way. And find his way he did. After starting the game 0 for 10 and scoring zero points through the first 37 minutes and 14 seconds, the Pac-12 Player of the Year and soon-to-be consensus first-team All-American came alive with 2:46 left to score 15 points and hit 10 consecutive free throws as Arizona advanced to its second Elite Eight under Sean Miller.
- How it went down: The Aztecs, 31-4 heading into the game, came out with fire in their eyes and bounce in their step. By the time 3 minutes had passed, San Diego State had grabbed five offensive rebounds and held Arizona to just two points. Until the big alley-oop in the second half, the Aztecs controlled the game on both ends of the court. Only Arizona's excellent defense and the work of freshmen Gordon and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson kept them in it. Once Gordon threw that dunk down, though, the momentum had clearly shifted. And once Nick Johnson got a layup and then a three-pointer, it was all Cats.
