No. 1 BasketCats Set New School Record
Photo Credit: AP and Arizona Athletics
The 2013 – 14 University of Arizona basketball team accomplished what no other school team has in its history. By beating the University of Southern California Sunday night (73-53) the Wildcats record stands now at 17 – 0. Previously, the 1931-32 Cats started the season at 16 – 0.
Last Thursday Sean Miller’s team defeated UCLA 79 – 75 and was able to complete a sweep of the Los Angeles School by beating USC.
It was a hard fought battle against USC, but the Cats kept their poise and their tenacious defense at the end of the game proved to be too much for the Trojans. The first half of the game was close as it finished with an Arizona lead of 34 – 31.
Four Arizona players scored in double figures for the game. The leading scorers were T.J. McConnell and Brandon Ashley as they finished with 19 points apiece. McConnell was 5 – 7 from beyond the three point line.
With the loss the Trojan’s record stands now at 9 – 7, USC is still looking for its first Pac – 12 win of the season.
For the Trojans Byron Wesley finished with 18 points, shooting 7 – 14 from the field. UCS will face Utah next Thursday.
The Arizona Wildcats return home to the face Arizona State University in the Territorial Cup. The Sun Devils have a record of 2 – 1 in Pac – 12 play. ASU is coming off a loss to UCLA on Sunday 87 – 72.
OTHER ARIZONA NOTES:
Ka’Deem Carey to Enter 2014 NFL Draft
From 2011-13, Ka’Deem Carey was a two-time Consensus All-American, a two-time first-team All-Pac-12 selection and the 2013 Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year.
University of Arizona junior running back Ka’Deem Carey will enter the 2014 National Football League Draft, it was announced by Carey and the Wildcats’ football program on Monday. Carey has chosen to forgo his final year of collegiate eligibility to pursue professional football.
From 2011-13, he was a two-time Consensus All-American, a two-time first-team All-Pac-12 selection and the 2013 Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year. In 2012, he was the nation’s leading rusher in yards per game (148.4) and total yards (1,929).
“I’m excited for the next phase of my career and to enter the NFL Draft,” Carey said. “I want to thank God, my family, Coach Rodriguez, Coach Magee and all of my coaches for everything they’ve done for me. My time playing football for Arizona will always be very special to me and I want to thank the fans and the Tucson community for supporting me throughout my career. The future of Arizona football is bright. Bear Down.”
Carey totaled 1,885 yards on 349 carries in 2013, averaging 5.4 yards per tote. He scored 19 touchdowns on the ground and averaged 157.1 yards per game (No. 2 nationally). He led the nation in carries per game with 29.08 and ranked No. 3 in total yards. Showing his diversity, Carey also caught 26 receptions for 173 yards and one touchdown in 2013. He averaged 6.7 yards per catch.
“Ka’Deem Carey was a great player for us,” head coach Rich Rodriguez said. “We wish him all the best as he pursues his professional career.”
He is Arizona’s all-time career rushing leader (4,232 yards) and ranks seventh all-time in Pac-12 history. Carey owns the Arizona and Pac-12 single-game rushing records (366 yards vs. Colorado in 2012) and Arizona’s single-season rushing record (1,929 yards in 2012). In total, he owns or shares 26 Arizona single-game, season and career records.
In the AdvoCare V100 Bowl, Carey rushed for 169 yards, the 16th-straight game in which he eclipsed the century mark. That is the longest streak in Pac-12 history and the longest for any FBS player in the last 10 seasons. His 169 all-purpose yards brought his career mark to 5,483 yards and the Arizona school record, surpassing Dennis Northcutt’s 5,392 yards (1996-99).