To have fun SLAM’s thirtieth anniversary, we’re spotlighting the 30 most influential males’s school groups from our previous 30 years. Stats, information and chips aren’t the principle issue right here, it’s all about their contribution to the sport’s cultural cloth.
For the subsequent 30 days—Monday by means of Friday— we’ll be unveiling the full record right here. We’ve additionally bought an unique retro collegiate assortment, out now, that pays homage to every squad’s threads. Store right here.
Loaded with 5 future NBA gamers, the ‘96-97 Arizona Wildcats embodied one of the best parts of school basketball. Trendy comebacks, even flashier kicks. A freshman phenom. 4 double-digit scorers. And a storybook ending. They ran by means of three blue bloods to steal the chip. However expectations firstly of the season weren’t so merry.
The Wildcats have been recovering from the lack of 4 upperclassmen: main scorer Joseph Blair, rebounding chief Ben Davis and veteran level guard Reggie Geary. However the place they lacked expertise, they crafted their very own developments, spearheaded by freshman Mike Bibby.
“Mike Bibby introduced that swag to our group as a result of when he got here in, he bought the usual issued group shoe, and immediately he was like, ‘Ahh, nah. I ain’t wearin’ these,’’ remembers Terry of his introduction to the brash freshman. “He instantly went to the shop on campus and purchased a pair of Jordans. Then everyone adopted and needed the most popular shoe out. Mike Bibby spearheaded that shoe motion.”
The person behind the scenes was teaching legend Lute Olson. Along with his trademark silver hair and Armani fits, Olson had next-level swagger. His offensive ways and defensive plans have been poetry in movement, profiting from his gifted roster. The roster contained three future NBA stars: Mike Bibby, Miles Simon, and Michael Dickerson, a.okay.a The Large Three.
Bibby performed with a uncooked confidence past his years. Simon introduced infectious vitality that electrified the group. Dickerson was the hustle king, giving his 110% each minute. Collectively, they have been a three-headed monster, dominating with expertise, smarts, and chemistry.
It wasn’t simply their recognition that drew followers to the video games; it was their electrifying type of play. In a tied contest in opposition to the Kansas Jayhawks within the Candy 16, Arizona’s Miles Simon drove to the basket, drawing the Kansas protection earlier than kicking the ball out to Michael Dickerson, who buried a clutch three-pointer. This shot despatched the Wildcats to the Elite Eight and additional cemented their loyal fanbase.
Within the basketball historical past books, the Wildcats of 1997 are remembered for his or her historic championship, the place they returned from a 10-point deficit to drive an exhilarating additional time in Indianapolis. We right here at SLAM keep in mind that second a bit in a different way: the on-court debut of the Nike Foamposite.
Cooked up by the legendary Eric Avar, the polarizing pair of kicks have been dropped at Bibby and co. to rock within the championship effectively earlier than Penny Hardaway bought to lace them up on the NBA hardwood. Even the parents in Beaverton, OR, acknowledged the attract surrounding the Wildcats. Regardless of rocking a barely brighter shade of blue in distinction to their navy-shaded threads, the Wildcats introduced forth a sneaker revolution on the collegiate scene. Group-issued sneaks didn’t must be the norm. If we’re being trustworthy, Bibby and the Wildcats knocked down the door for the on-foot creativity seen within the school sport right now.
Their efficiency on the courtroom really immortalized the ‘97 Wildcats. Whether or not it was a last-second buzzer beater in opposition to Kentucky made by Mike Bibby or a miraculous comeback when the Wildcats have been trailing by double digits in opposition to the Windfall Friars within the first half and got here again to win the sport 96-92 in additional time. But it surely was March the place the Wildcats really cemented their stake within the cultural cloth of collegiate hoops. Getting into the tourney as a No. 4 seed, the Cats stormed previous three No. 1 seeds to safe this system’s lone NCAA Championship. With a exceptional 25-9 report and an NCAA championship to their identify, they left a everlasting mark on the NCAA.
“You watch tv, learn the newspapers, nobody had us going anyplace,” Simon mentioned. “However what occurred up to now with the College of Arizona has nothing to do with this group.”
Although a long time might have handed since their historic championship run, their story continues to encourage and captivate audiences, reminding us of the magic that occurs when a gaggle of people comes collectively to attain the extraordinary.
Images through Getty Pictures.
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