College Hoops Fans Dub FAU’s Epic Upset of Arizona ‘Game of the Year’

No. 14 Florida Atlantic improved to 10–2 after beating the No. 4 Wildcats 96-95 in double-overtime, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday.

No. 14 Florida Atlantic shocked No. 4 Arizona, 96–95 in double-overtime, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday.

The Owls (10–2) were led by senior guard Johnell Davis, who scored a game-high 35 points while adding nine rebounds, three assists and three steals. 

The Wildcats, who have now lost to two ranked teams in their last three games, shot a season-low 38.8 % from the field (33-for-85), while struggling from beyond the arc hitting just 7-of-25 from (28%) from deep.

GAME OF THE SEASON? 🤯

No. 14 Florida Atlantic outlasts No. 4 Arizona in a double overtime THRILLER 🦉 pic.twitter.com/ZjHZewiKII

— NCAA March Madness (@MarchMadnessMBB) December 23, 2023

Senior point guard Caleb Love led the Wildcats in a losing effort scoring a team-high 26 points.

Florida Atlantic will look to extend their winning streak when they face Florida Gulf Coast on Dec. 30, while Arizona looks to rebound when they face California in their Pac-12 opener on Dec. 29.

The Owls upset win elicited immediate reactions from the college basketball world who called the instant classic the "Game of the Year" on the hardwood this season.

𝐖𝐄 𝐉𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐃𝐈𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TOOK OVER LAS VEGAS AND TOOK DOWN THE NATION’S NUMBER FOUR TEAM IN DOUBLE OT!!!!!!!#WinningInParadise pic.twitter.com/lDdth2Xp6Y

— Florida Atlantic Men's Basketball (@FAUMBB) December 23, 2023

FINAL: FAU 96, Arizona 95 in double-overtime.

GAME. OF. THE. YEAR.

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) December 23, 2023

FINAL: No. 14 Florida Atlantic 96, No. 4 Arizona 95. Double overtime.

GAME OF THE YEAR. Thriller in Vegas.

— Jeff Borzello (@jeffborzello) December 23, 2023

FLORIDA ATLANTIC BASKETBALL.

It’s REAL. And it’s SPECTACULAR. #FAU pic.twitter.com/eKFjF0glHb

— Noah Goldberg (@TheNoahGoldberg) December 23, 2023

In a big college hoops battle in Las Vegas btw @ArizonaMBB vs @FAUMBB - FLORIDA ATLANTIC who shocked the nation last year by getting to the Final 4 beats Wildcats 84-83 in ot .

— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) December 23, 2023

Impressive win by Florida Atlantic against Arizona. If they roll through their conference, have a chance to get a really good NCAA seed

— Matt Jones (@KySportsRadio) December 23, 2023

FAU! FAU! FAU!

WHAT A HUGE WIN FOR THE OWLS! THEIR FIRST EVER AGAINST A TOP 10 TEAM!

THEY GRITTED IT OUT IN 2OT AGAINST #4 ARIZONA AT A NEUTRAL SITE, 96-95.

Johnell Davis went crazy with 35 points.

What a game.

— Mid-Major Madness (@mid_madness) December 23, 2023

Florida Atlantic Basketball.

It's Real.

And It's Spectacular.

— Jon Rothstein (@JonRothstein) December 16, 2023