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Arizona’s Kadeem Allen hits game-winner vs Michigan State (Video)

By Rashawn Wong

Nov 11, 2016; Honolulu, HI, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Kadeem Allen (5) drives to the basket against Michigan State Spartans guard Cassius Winston (5) at the Stan Sheriff Center . Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2016; Honolulu, HI, USA; Arizona Wildcats guard Kadeem Allen (5) drives to the basket against Michigan State Spartans guard Cassius Winston (5) at the Stan Sheriff Center . Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kadeem Allen took the ball coast-to-coast in the final seconds of the game to stun Michigan State on opening night.

Opening weekend of the college basketball season is bound to feature some upsets. This is exactly what happened between No. 10 Michigan State and No. 12 Arizona Friday evening in Honolulu at the Armed Forces Classic.

It looked ugly at first for Arizona as they fell behind big early, 21-8. The Wildcats would battle back until they look the lead toward the end of the first half. Freshman guard Kobi Simmons (18 points on 4-7 shooting) would knock down a three pointer to give Arizona the lead headed into the break.

Out of halftime, Michigan State and Arizona would partake in a back-and-forth scoring affair. Despite a big half by freshman phenom Miles Bridges, who seemed unstoppable finishing the game with 21 points, Arizona never faltered and battled until the end.

As time winded down the Spartans would get a huge lift off a Lourawls Nairn Jr. three pointer to give them the lead. It would be short-lived, though, as Kadeem Allen would take the ball out of a timeout, run the full length of the court to lay it up as time expired. In a game that boasted six second half lead changes, it would be Allen’s layup that would decide it for the Wildcats.

The 6-foot-3 senior is no stranger to big moments and that showed in their opening night victory. Despite going 3-11 from the field, that never slowed Allen nor hindered his confidence to take the final shot. This is something Arizona is going to need moving forward if they want a shot at a National Championship come March.

They will have to avoid offensive lulls like they had tonight, going the first four minutes of the game without a basket. Although Allen would knock down the biggest basket of the game, it was his teammate Simmons that had the best performance of the night.

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Arizona ended their season last year in the first round of the NCAA tournament with a loss to Wichita State. To begin the season this way upsetting one of the best teams in the nation has to be a good feeling for head coach Sean Miller and the Wildcats.