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The UCLA-Arizona basketball rivalry has never been hotter. Steve Alford and Sean Miller exchanged pleasantries on Friday night after their Pac-12 Tournament game.

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Two weeks ago at the McKale Center, UCLA went on the road and defeated Arizona in their highly anticipated regular season showdown between Pac-12 powers.

Late in that game, after two free throws put UCLA up by a score of 77-72 with two seconds left, Bruins head coach Steve Alford called a timeout to set his defense. Wildcats head coach Sean Miller was not happy about the move, as the game’s result had already been decided.

So Friday night in Arizona’s rematch victory in the Pac-12 Tournament, Miller made sure to return the favor and call a timeout with 0.9 seconds left. The Wildcats were up 86-75 at the time. It’s safe to say that the handshake line after the game was not filled with pleasantries.

The Miller – Alford handshake pic.twitter.com/zPBx8RpeJN

— CJ Fogler (@cjzero) March 11, 2017

After the victory, Miller explained why he called the TO.

“I just wanted to make sure our guys had poise with one second left in this game.”

Hilarious and fantastic for what is becoming the best rivalry out West in college hoops.

This is what Alford had to say following the contest.

NEW: @uclambb Head Coach Steve Alford responds to Sean Miller's comments after tonight's semifinal. pic.twitter.com/zF62PvWsDQ

— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) March 11, 2017

With both programs expected to be upper-echelon national contenders for years to come, let’s hope that this rivalry becomes even hotter. It should, especially because both programs will be annually battling for the nation’s best high school players, particularly those out West in California.

MORE: Duke vs. North Carolina 2017 ACC Tournament Highlights