Arizona Decides That, Without Lute, the Best Way to Win Is Fouling While Tied

They were two of the most boneheaded plays you may ever see in college basketball, like Chris Webber somehow calling two timeouts instead of one.

The University of Arizona, battling the University of Alabama-Birmingham, was trailing most of the night in a contest to see who would advance to Madison Square Garden to face Oklahoma in the NIT semifinals, but then late in the game they started to come back. That comeback ended with two "seriously, guys?" fouls that could best be described as poorly coached and poorly executed.

After the Wildcats put together a comeback that had the team down three, Arizona's Garland Judkins got fouled, and after making the first and missing the second, freshman Kyle Fogg made a great play on the rebound, snatching it up, avoiding the defender and laying the ball in with just over 26 seconds left in the game. All tied at 71-71. Great. But what Fogg did next was inexplicable. The freshman, obviously confused on where he was or what the score was -- or even what game he was playing -- fouled Aaron Johnson right as the ball was inbounded, putting UAB on the line in a one-and-one opportunity.

As the foul happened, interim head coach Russ Pennell could only put his hands on his head in disbelief. You could almost read his mind, as you could most Wildcat fans, who probably have never played college basketball in their lives but know that when the game is tied you don't foul to put a guy on the line.

Karma, meet Fogg, because Johnson missed the first free throw and the Wildcats came down with the rebound. Now it's 71-71, with 24 seconds left, Wildcat ball.

This was one of those moments as an Arizona fan that things race through your mind, like: "I can't believe we got back in this game." ... "I hope they go to Chase Budinger for the game winning shot." ... "Please, oh please, don't leave the ball in the hands of Nic Wise, who seems to approach big time situations like a more selfish Nate Robinson (if that is possible) but with less talent."

Of course, the last thing in my head was that Arizona had a shot to lose. They dribbled the ball up, called a timeout and I'm assuming had the following exchange in the huddle.

Pennell: "Guys, listen. We came back in this game, we fought long and hard. Kyle made a horrible decision earlier but we got a little lucky with that missed free throw. Here, this is the gameplan."

Jordan Hill: "Coach, why don't we run the play through me? You know, get the ball in the post, if they double I'll kick it out to Chase or Nic or whoever is open for a jumper to win the game?"

Pennell: "Jordan, that makes total sense. I love that plan. You have been scoring at will all night long. Nobody on that team can defend you. Your offensive skills have vastly improved since you first arrived in Tucson."

Budinger: "Coach, I like that play. I'd say we can go through Jordan and then we'll have Jamelle screen for me and I'll roll off it hard. Coach, I'm a modest star, you know this, but I feel like I haven't missed a jumper all night. Honestly, I could score with Angelina Jolie right now if she was here. I never speak up, but I feel if we need a big shot this season, it is my time to shine."

Pennell: "Chase, I love your enthusiasm. That really is a smart play, getting the ball to our star. Now listen, here's what were going to do. Nic, you are 3-14 and 0-5 from beyond the arc. Get the ball, dribble it up slowly like you're Kobe Bryant, and then try to make a move on a defender that is way bigger than you, only to fire a fade-away 16-footer that has as good a chance of going in as me to the Hall of Fame. Alright, BREAK!"

After the Wise miss, it seemed liked overtime was inevitable. That was, until Jamelle Horne intentionally fouled Paul Delaney, who wasn't even past mid-court with 0.8 seconds left and the game was TIED. Let me say this again -- a University of Arizona player fouled a guy in the backcourt with 26 seconds left when the game was tied and did the same thing again with 0.8 seconds left and the game was tied (in the backcourt!)

It is obviously going to be a tough season as a Wildcat fan. As you can probably see, this is the only team I'm absolutely and utterly passionate for. I bleed cardinal red and navy, I spent my college years rooting for the likes of Luke Walton, Andre Iguodala and Salim Stoudamire.

This stuff isn't supposed to happen to this program. Unfortunately, this team was left wondering which way was up. I guess one positive came from this upchuck of a game -- at least Arizona players didn't start fouling each other.