#30: Nick Robinson's Halfcourt Heave Beats Arizona

The setting:

The twelfth-ranked Arizona Wildcats sauntered into Maples Pavillion for a Saturday afternoon Pac-10 clash with the second-ranked Stanford Cardinal. The Wildcats were an athletic and supremely talented team; they were led by future NBAers Channing Frye, Salim Stoudemire and Andre Iguodala. Stanford was unbeaten and led by future lottery pick Josh Childress. Matt Lottich was on his way to becoming the 21st century Arthur Lee; relatively unknown on a national scale, but deified by the Cardinal faithful. And Rob Little looked awkward doing everything. In recent years, the rivalry had intensified because both schools were relevant on a national level. The clash even pitted iconic coaches in Lute Olsen and Mike Montgomery. The game was nationally televised and announced by the ABC A-Team of Brent Musberger and Dick Vitale. Hell, even Tiger Woods was in da house.

The game itself was a gem. Stanford raced out to an early first half lead but the Wildcats closed at the half and then stormed ahead in the second half. Childress tied the game with a three pointer in the final minute and the Wildcats set up for one final play and put the ball in the hands of Stoudemire, their best player. Despite the star power under the Maples roof, a little known bench player would end up being the hero and letting Dickie V verbally ejaculate on air.

Below is the Sportscenter clip of the game. A couple nice alley-oops and threes in this game and some hilariously corny Scott Van Peltisms. Oh yeah and there is also Nick Robinson's shot and the Maples crowd pouring onto the court. Good times for the Cardinal.