Daily Wildcat | Final Four *Special Edition* | April 2026

Editor-in-Chief

Emma LaPointe editor@dailywildcat.com

Managing Editor

Ruby Wray editor@dailywildcat.com

News Editors

Jasmine Creighton Ian Stash news@dailywildcat.com

Opinions Editors

Sarah Arellano

Zaina Jasser opinion@dailywildcat.com

Magazine Editor & Training Coordinator

Dylann Sweeney

Sports Editors Ava Widener Will Shenot sports@dailywildcat.com

Arts & Life Editor

Kate Eid Valeria Moreno arts@dailywildcat.com

Photo/Multimedia Editors Mason Kumet

Josie Shivers photo@dailywildcat.com

Copy Chiefs

Ari Keating

Olivia Volland copy@dailywildcat.com

Comics Editor Amara Williams amarawilliams26@arizona.edu

Social Media Coordinators

Nandini Manepalli Michael Smith socials@dailywildcat.com

Designers

Emma LaPointe

Ruby Wray

Kasey Leftwich

Amara Williams

Josie Shivers Mason Kumet

Police and bars alike get ready for March Madness madness

Following University of Arizona’s 1997 NCAA victory, a rowdy crowd of Tucsonans took to the streets. Documented in news footage living on Youtube, especially wild fans vandalized cars, climbed street poles and tore down street signs.

In 2001, after a championship loss against Duke University, Tucsonans again spilled out onto the streets. According to an ESPN article, the crowd set fire to a mobile home and two other vehicles. Police donning riot gear were deployed on the unruly masses. The clashes left more than 40 people injured and 17 arrested.

After the 2014 controversial Elite Eight loss against the University of Wisconsin, angry fans were met with police along University Boulevard. Detailed in a Daily Wildcat article, the crowd began throwing smoke bombs and beer bottles. In return, they were met with clouds of pepper spray and rounds of pepperball.

On April 4, the Wildcats made their first Final Four appearance in 25 years. This momentous occasion meant big crowds downtown and along University Boulevard.

Richard Fifer, the owner of Gentle Ben’s Brewing Company, expressed excitement for the upcoming game in the days prior. Across the previous few games, turnout had been steadily increasing. According to Fifer, during the March 28 Elite Eight match against Purdue University, they were at their capacity of 765 people hours before the game even began.

During the Final Four game against University of Michigan, it was expected to be even busier.

“We’re getting phone calls from all kinds of alumni that are coming

back to Tucson to come to Gentle Ben’s to watch the game,” Fifer said.

“We have people that have said they’re coming at 9 a.m. to make sure that they get a table.”

Given past incidents in the area, Fifer panned in advance to make sure everything ran smoothly on the night of the game. In addition to keeping the bar and restaurant fully staffed, they brought in extra security guards and worked with local police. Even with greater security, he hoped that the fun and excitement would be unimpeded.

“In my opinion, there’s a tone that security sets when you walk in the door and it should be you feel welcome

and it’s a part of the hospitality,” Fifer said. “And then there’s other bars that take the approach that you want to be afraid of security, right? I don’t want our customers — our guests — to be afraid of security. I want them to be excited to see them.”

According to Fifer, the Tucson Police Department reached out to the bars along Main Gate Square after the 2014 post-game unrest to let them know what went wrong and ask what they could do better.

“From that year to the next year, the way they handled everything was drastically different and they improved,” Fifer said. “Since, TPD has

done an amazing job of just crowd control and kind of being with the fans instead of there as a separate entity.”

This year, University Boulevard along Main Gate Square was blocked off for vehicle traffic during the game. Most of the uniformed police presence was TPD, but University of Arizona Police Department still had an increased presence around campus.

According to University of Arizona Police Department Sgt. Andrew Valenzuela, their main priority was making sure students and people around campus get home safely from watch parties.

“If that particular culture continues, it will be celebratory and it will be peaceful either way,” Valenzuela said. “I mean, even when our team was down in the Elite Eight in the first half, it was still a happy atmosphere. You could tell the fans were visibly upset, but they weren’t behaving in a disorderly way. They weren’t acting out. There were no acts of violence that we received reports of anyway. And so we hope that that will just continue throughout the rest of the tournament.”

For staying safe while celebrating at watch parties or bars, Valenzuela recommended making a plan ahead of time, using a designated driver or a rideshare service, traveling in groups, being aware of your surroundings and making sure phones are fully charged.

GRIFFIN SALKOWSKI

The Daily Wildcat

PEOPLE FILL THE STREETS moments after the University of Arizona Wildcats advance to the Final Four in the NCAA Basketball tournament on University Boulevard on March 28.

JASMINE CREIGHTON | DAILY WILDCAT

Where to watch the Final Four

Support the team by going to your local restaurant and bar watch parties!

As the Final Four approaches, Tucson is transforming into a city-wide watch party, with fans rallying behind the University of Arizona men’s basketball team in what promises to be one of the most exciting nights of the season. From campus to downtown, restaurants, bars and public venues, crowds should prepare themselves for the high energy that only March Madness can bring.

The UA planned one of the largest official viewing events in McKale Center at ALKEME Arena, offering fans the chance to experience the game inside the iconic home of The Wildcats’ basketball. However, demand quickly exceeded expectations, and the event has already sold out. The rapid sellout speaks to the magnitude of the moment, not just for the team, but for the Tucson community as a whole.

Even without access to the arena, fans will have no shortage of options. Downtown Tucson has several popular spots like Playground Bar & Lounge are hosting organized events running from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

At The Monica, another key downtown destination, staff are anticipating a packed house and a high-energy environment similar to the team’s previous tournament games. Ami Fong, marketing director for The Monica, said they are “beyond excited” about Arizona’s Final Four run and expect “a full house,” noting that “the energy downtown has been incredible.”

The venue highlighted its indoor and outdoor viewing spaces as part of the appeal, with Fong adding that it’s “a spot where the community comes together.”

The Monica will offer game-day specials including $5 pizza slices, wings and beers, along with $20 beer buckets. Outside of downtown, the excitement spreads across Tucson. Bars and restaurants near the UA campus are preparing for a surge of customers,

particularly at long-standing student favorites like Illegal Pete’s, No Anchovies and Gentle Ben’s. These locations have built reputations as go-to game day destinations, and the Final Four only amplifies their significance. Lines are expected to form early, with fans eager to secure a spot hours before tip-off.

Large screens, drink specials and tightly packed crowds will define the downtown experience. Fans dressed in red and blue will likely fill every available space, creating an environment that mirrors the intensity of being inside an actual arena. For many, the appeal of a watch party isn’t just about seeing the game, it’s about feeling it collectively, reacting to every play alongside hundreds of others who are just

as invested.

What makes this moment especially significant is how it brings together different parts of the Tucson community. Students, alumni, longtime residents and even casual fans all find common ground during March Madness. The Final Four represents more than just a basketball game. It becomes a shared experience, one that turns ordinary spaces into collective gathering points.

Where to watch the Game

This Saturday: McKale Center at ALKEME Arena — 1721 E. Enke Drive (Sold out)

Gates open at 4:30 p.m.

Playground & HUB — 278 E. Congress St.

The Monica — 40 E. Congress St., Ste. 150

Gentle Ben’s — 865 E. University Blvd. Illegal Pete’s — 876 E. University Blvd. No Anchovies — 870 E. University Blvd.

For those planning to attend a watch party, arriving early is key. With nearly every venue expecting capacity crowds, securing a good spot may require showing up well before the scheduled start times. Fans are also encouraged to plan ahead for transportation, as increased traffic and limited parking, especially downtown, could add to the challenge of getting to and from events. At its core, the watch party phenomenon highlights how sports can transform public life. Stay safe and bear down!

MASON KUMET | DAILY WILDCAT THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA men’s basketball team celebrating winning their west regional championship title.

VALERIA MORENO

The Daily Wildcat

OPINION

More than a game: The power of superstitions

In 1982, Michael Jordan led the University of North Carolina Tar Heels to a national championship. Famously, he believed the shorts he wore during that run were lucky. For the rest of his career in the NBA, he wore those same practice shorts underneath his Chicago Bulls uniform, even as he won six championships and became one of the greatest players of all time.

Is that insane, or is it genius?

Sports superstitions have existed for centuries, dating back to ancient civilizations where athletes relied on rituals, charms and routines for protection and success. While the modern game of basketball is built on skill, strategy and athleticism, superstition still plays a surprisingly large role. Today these habits appear in both players and fans, often starting small. Something as simple as a specific haircut, outfit or pregame meal can quickly evolve into a ritual that feels directly connected to performance and outcome. Routines are essential.

Most players, such as LeBron James, partake in this. Many people may be familiar with his signature chalk toss, throwing powder into the air during player introductions. It began as a personal ritual that later turned into a defining moment for fans. It added to his pregame presence. Similarly, Stephen Curry is known for his precise warm-up routine. Every movement is carefully structured and repeated before each game.

Other players take their rituals to even more extreme levels, such as Kevin Garnett’s headbutt. Before games, Garnett headbutts his head into the padded stanchion in order to get into a competitive mindset. While these actions may seem minor,

they rarely waver even in high-pressure moments. It must be precise. It must become a ritual.

Sports psychologists argue that these superstitions serve a real and important purpose. They help athletes create a sense of control, especially with the unpredictable outcome of the sport. When repeating these actions, athletes can reduce anxiety and improve their focus on the game. The belief becomes powerful and it enhances their performance. Despite how irrational these behaviors might appear, individuals believe their actions can influence outcomes. Performance hinges on confidence, rhythm and mental clarity. External luck is often just the visible byproduct of an internal strategy.

The magic of a playoff run extends far beyond the field. In living rooms and arenas, fans curate their own rituals,

convinced that their personal habits influence the outcome. To a dedicated supporter, changing even one small detail feels like a risk to the team’s success.

The idea of jinxing is especially common among fans. There’s a shared anxiety in sports: don’t celebrate too early. Whether it’s a fan refusing to watch the final minutes or a stadium full of people wearing the same lucky color, these rituals are all about trying to protect a fragile winning streak. From fans who walk away from the TV to avoid disrupting a streak to entire crowds who coordinate rituals, there is a deep-seated belief that external energy directly influences the scoreboard. At home, these rituals become deeply personal. A fan might wear the same pair of shoes every game day or eat the same meal before tip-off, treating their pregame routine as a sacred requirement. Some will refuse to check the score if their

team is ahead, only returning once the buzzer sounds to avoid ruining the result.

While these actions have no direct effect on the players, they create a powerful sense of involvement and connection. Ultimately, superstitions highlight the raw emotional intensity of basketball. The game is unpredictable and in moments of high-stakes uncertainty, rituals provide a sense of control.

So, was Michael Jordan’s insistence on his college shorts a sign of irrationality or a hidden key to his dominance? The answer isn’t so simple. In a game where mindset makes the difference, this might be the best thing someone can do.

VALERIA MORENO

The Daily Wildcat

MASON KUMET | DAILY WILDCAT

MOTIEJUS KRIVAS WAITS TO check in during Arizona’s Sweet 16 matchup against Arkansas on March 26 in SAP Center in San Jose.

2001 Time Machine: What was the world like the last time the UA was in the Final Four?

The world has changed the last time Arizona was featured in the final weekend of the big dance

The

GABRIEL PAZ

Daily Wildcat

As a born and raised Tucsonan since 2006, I’ve never had the pleasure of knowing what it was like to see their hometown team make it to the Final Four. I’ve seen many playoff runs for the Wildcats. Always the same as they run deep into the Elite Eight or Sweet 16.

That changed when Arizona men’s basketball defeated Purdue University on Saturday, March 28, sending them to the Final Four. This being their first since 2001. For context, a majority of the class of this year has never even seen it.

As a matter of fact, most of the UA’s student body has no clue what was happening in the second year of a new millennium. So how about a good look at what campus, the nation and specifically, the world looked like back then?

For starters, Arizona was a part of the Pac-10 conference at the time. This was 10 years before it would become the Pac-12, adding the University of Colorado Boulder and the University of Utah.

To start in the sports world, while the Wildcats did make it to the Final Four and even the National Championship, they were unable to snatch victory losing 82-72 against the Duke University Blue Devils. Another fun fact, no NCAA college basketball champion has come from west of the Mississippi River since 1997 when the Wildcats won theirs.

Other UA sports highlights include the softball and baseball seasons. Softball won the 2001 Women’s College World Series for the sixth time ever beating UCLA for the first championship in the new millennium.

Baseball was at the changing point when Jerry Stitt stepped down from the head coaching role and Andy

Lopez was brought on. At that time, baseball was still on campus at Jerry Kindall field at Frank Sancet stadium located across both McKale Center and Casiono del Sol Stadium. Now, it’s the football stadium’s practice facility.

This wouldn’t be the only year a team from the state won it all. In September, the Arizona Diamondbacks took home the World Series from the New York Yankees in a sensational seven-game series stopping them from winning four times in a row. This was the first and only professional team to ever win a championship in the state.

In media, these were the specific chart toppers. For movies, the No.1 movie at the box office was “Spy Kids” which released 3 days before where it grossed over $27 million in its first weekend. For music, the Billboard Hot 100 lists “Butterfly” by Crazy Town as the No.1 song.

In the world of video games, this is the year Microsoft would release the Xbox on Nov. 15, 2001, along with Nintendo releasing the GameCube on Nov. 18, 2001.

The world of medicine had its highlights too when the first transplant of a fully self-contained artificial heart was recorded in a hospital at the University of Louisville hospital in Kentucky.

Although the planet’s astral technology was nowhere near where Stanley Kubrick imagined it to be in his thriller “2001: A Space Odyssey,” the planet still had its views stretched beyond the atmosphere. Specifically on Mars where the Mars Odyssey mission discovered that ice laid buried beneath the plant’s surface. If you’re wondering, of course the UA was involved.

MASON KUMET | DAILY WILDCAT A SCANNED IMAGE OF a 2001 Daily Wildcat print edition from the last time Arizona won the Elite eight to advance to the Final Four, beating the University of Illinois.

Superfans travel across state lines to see their teams play in the Final Four

JASMINE CREIGHTON

The Daily Wildcat

The 2026 Final Four game for the NCAA championship has attracted super fans and students from across the country to Indianapolis to see their respective schools win or lose it all.

Men’s Final Four Fest, March Madness Music Festival and the Tip-Off tailgate on Georgia Street attracted fans to celebrate before and after the semifinal games.

Some alumni and students of the various teams, like University of Arizona fans, have traveled long hours alongside the team throughout the entire season, leading up to the end of the road.

“It’s Wildcat basketball, I think it speaks for itself.” Derek Teigen, a 2006 UA alum, said while outside the Tip-Off tailgate with his dog, Toby, and his dad, Dan Wellner. Teigen traveled from San Francisco to San Jose, Calif., and then to Indianapolis to watch the Wildcats play in the Final Four for the first time in 25 years.

A sea of orange filled the arena when it came time for the University of Connecticut and the University of Illinois to compete in the Final Four. With a quick two-and-a-half-hour drive from campus, many U of I fans showed up to Indianapolis to watch their team play. While the crowds were arguably split in half, the bright orange was hard to miss. However, the ending score of 62-71 left fans disappointed.

“I thought Illinois had a good chance to win, but they couldn’t hit their shots, and just didn’t show up when they needed to.” John Treshansky, an Illinois fan, said shortly after the game.

Although Illinois was projected to win, UConn pulled off a victory and clinched a spot in the national championship game. Fans and a very loud student section celebrated with them after the win.

“Its just absolutely amazing, the trip here has been great,” Mark Zidinsky, a UConn superfan, said waiting in the arena lobby post-game on Saturday night. Zidinsky wanted Michigan to win the matchup against the Wildcats, but was confident that his team could take on both teams for the national championship.

Michigan’s student section was completely full in the matchup with Arizona Saturday night, with school alumni and younger generations making the trip to Indianapolis to see the game. UConn stu-

dents and fans alike had a long but doable 13 and a half hour drive to the Lucas Oil Stadium.

Brandon Portnoy, a student at the University of Michigan, expresses his excitement for the team and his dedication as a fan.

“I traveled to multiple games throughout the season because it’s a really special team this year so it’s been awesome to see all the different games,” Portnoy said. He described the trip as easy and quick, as UM is only a four-hour drive from Indianapolis.

Wildcats by far had the longest journey out of all four teams, with a flight from Tucson to Indianapolis averaging 5 hours and 41 minutes while a car ride lasts over 24 hours.

Even with the loss at a chance of a championship title however, Arizona fans don’t regret making the journey and paying for expenses in order to support their team in person.

“You know what? I think we went out there and we played our game. We played hard.”

Annalise Mobley, a Wildcat fan said. Mobley and her siblings took the journey from their respective cities to see the Wildcats play in the

Final Four. Mobley even noted that one sister went to six different airports in order to show up for the big game.

“And we do it again every time for the Wildcats.” Mobley said. She had landed in Indianapolis Saturday, April 4, at 2 a.m. and planned on making the same turn around for post game-day.

The UA student section had some support from home, with Zona Zoo Crew traveling with the team to cheer them on.

With flights and drives to make it to Indianapolis, Bailee Irwin, a Zona Zoo Crew member, described the experience as chaotic but fun.

“The flights were a little rough with delays and whatnot. But overall, it was just a great experience to be together.” she said. 8 people from the crew stayed in an airbnb together, and many of them were on the same flights.

With one of the crew’s main jobs being to hype the student crowd, Irwin and the rest of the team came to Indianapolis with the intent of doing just that.

“We knew all the band’s cheers, trying to stay with what they were doing, get the crowd a little loud. It was tough towards the end, but we were trying our best,” Irwin said.

Irwin pointed out that the Wildcat fans began to fall flat midway through the game because of Michigan’s lead.

“In the end, it was really difficult. We were trying, but all of us were also fighting to stay loud as well, just watching our team get pretty much beaten on all sides” Irwin said.

She also emphasized that there was a difference in hyping up the students and all the other fans that traveled to Indianapolis.

“I think there is a difference, but at the same time, we’re all rooting for the same team. So just trying to bridge the gap between different generations,” she said. Most fans, no matter how far they travel, would do it all again for their team.

EMMA LAPOINTE | DAILY WILDCAT

TOBY, DAN WELLNER, AND son Derek Teigen’s dog, dressed in University of Arizona gear, before the Final Four game on Saturday, April 4, outside of the Lucas Oil Stadium.

EMMA LAPOINTE | DAILY WILDCAT

DAN WELLNER AND HIS dog, Toby, traveled from San Francisco to watch the Wildcats play in the Final Four in Indianapolis. Wellner’s son is a University of Arizona alum.

No. 1 seed Arizona men’s basketball heads to the Final Four to face Michigan

AVA WIDENER Sports Editor

The No. 1 Western seed University of Arizona men’s basketball team (36-2) is nearing the end of the road to the Final Four in the NCAA Tournament. They are set to face No. 1 Midwestern seed University of Michigan (35-3). The teams will face off in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Saturday, April 4 at approximately 5:54 p.m. MST.

History vs. Michigan

Over the past 70 years, these teams have met 10 times where Arizona holds the series lead 8-2. One of the two losses came in an overtime match during the 199697 season, and the other loss was their very first time meeting in 1957.

Most recently, Arizona and Michigan met in November 2021 in Las Vegas where the Wildcats claimed an 80-62 victory.

Key players

Michigan has lots of strong, experienced players, starting off with graduate forward Yaxel Lendeborg who leads the way in points for the team. Lendeborg has collected 579 points this season while averaging 15.2 per game. He is consistent with scoring in the paint and will be a good match for Arizona’s veteran forward Tobe Awaka.

Leading defense for Michigan is sophomore forward Morez Johnson Jr. who has recorded the most rebounds this season with 276.Johnson Jr. is quick with defensive rebounds that generate scoring opportunities for the Wolverines.

The Wildcats have a mix of strong freshmen with reliable veteran leadership that create a great balance for the team. Veteran guard

Jaden Bradley and freshman guard Brayden Burries will be essential for the team scoring points in the paint. Anthony Dell’Orso and Burries will

need to continue their 3-point shooting as they both hold the highest number for the season with Burries at 68 and Dell’Orso at 49.

What

to expect

The Wolverines present a dominant frontcourt with a high paced offense. They generate lots of turnovers, demonstrated in their Elite Eight matchup against the University of Tennessee where they forced 11 turnovers throughout the course of the game.

Arizona will match their highpaced offense along with strong defense with their big guys under the rim. The Wildcats are hungry as they return for the Final Four for the first time in 25 years.

MASON KUMET | DAILY WILDCAT IVAN KHARCHENKOV HYPES UP the crowd as the seconds wind down in Arizona’s Elite Eight win over Purdue University on March 28 in SAP Center.

SPORTS

No. 1 Arizona men’s basketball falls to Michigan in the Final Four, ending their historic season

The No. 1 Western seed University of Arizona (36-3) was defeated by the No. 1 Midwestern seed University of Michigan (36-3) on Saturday, April 4 in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. This loss ended the Wildcats’ historic season and their run in the NCAA Tournament.

Michigan’s momentum carried over from previous weeks in the tournament combined with a tough matchup for Arizona, making it a tough loss for the Wildcats. The Wolverines were dominant in their 3-point shooting 12-for-27 while the Wildcats only managed 6-for-17.

It was very physical from both teams leading to lots of turnovers and fouls being called throughout the game. Arizona committed 14 turnovers which led to 26 points for Michigan. The Wildcats struggled to maintain control of the ball from the start and never managed to take the lead during the game.

“They [Michigan] had a great defensive plan […] but I feel most of our shots were in and out, it was in the rim then out, sometimes it’s just not your day and today was not our day honestly,” Brayden Burries said postgame regarding Michigan’s defensive strategy.

Though their season did not end the way the team or fans may have wanted, this season will go down in program history with their mark at Arizona’s first Final Four in 25 years.

“The culture that we built on his team […] everyone was so united and played for each other, I’m just really proud of my team and that we went this far,” Motiejus Krivas said post-

game reflecting on his favorite part of his team.

First

half

Michigan started strong right off the bat while the Wildcats struggled to get their footing. The Wolverines immediately built up an early 7-1 gap to the Wildcats within the first 3 minutes.

As the seconds ticked down, they only continued to build the gap to 10-1 after Morez Johnson Jr. was sent to the line shooting 1-for-1. Koa Peat was playing strong defense and obtaining the rebounds, but Arizona ultimately failed at turning it into points.

Tobe Awaka and Jaden Bradley put up a pullup jumper and a layup that brought the Wildcats only 5 points behind. It appeared that the Wildcats were starting to get their footing, but Michigan

immediately responded to this and shut the door on them. They went on a 6 point scoring run that ended in a slam dunk from Trey McKenney.

By the 12:17 mark, Michigan had already built a double digit lead on Arizona after a 3-pointer from Yaxel Lendeborg brought them up 22-10. This did not discourage the Wildcats because they began to make what looked like a comeback just 3 minutes later. Peat put in both of his free throws, followed by a 3-pointer from Ivan Kharchenkov and two layups from Motiejus Krivas. This cut their deficit down to just 5 points, 28-23.

The Wildcats attempted to hang closely to the Wolverines for the remaining minutes in the first half. Unfortunately, Michigan continued to pull away just as the Wildcats caught up to them.

Most of Arizona’s shots were going in and out, circling the rim whereas Michigan demonstrated clean, consistent shots alongside their strong defense with their big guys in the center.

Michigan led going into halftime 48-32.

Second half

The Wolverines maintained their strong grasp over the game as they went into the second half collecting the first points on the board. Similar to the first, Arizona was unable to find their rhythm. The second half started off slow with scoring for both teams with Michigan collecting 5 points in the first 3 minutes and Arizona only scoring 2 points.

Arizona continued to struggle to convert possessions into points, which led to rebounds turned points for Michigan. Awaka and Krivas remained dominant forces in the paint, using their physicality and size to attempt shots.

The largest lead of the game that Michigan got was 30 points with 10:31 remaining in the second half after a 3-pointer from McKenney.

In the last two minutes of the game, Arizona put in 6 points in an attempt to make the winning margin below 20 points. In the end, Michigan took the victory 91-73 and advanced to the national championship game against the University of Connecticut on Monday, April 6. The Wildcats put up a good fight throughout and had a great run in the NCAA Tournament.

EVELYN FLEMING | THE DAILY WILDCAT

UA FOUNTAIN AT OLD Main, where student clubs have been known to frequently do initiation baptisms.

AVA WIDENER

The Daily Wildcat

SCHOOL SPIRIT SPORTS

Roundtable: March Madness, what are The Daily Wildcat staff’s Final Four Picks?

The Daily Wildcat Staff

My Final Four picks are the University of Arizona out of the west, Iowa State University out of the Midwest, University of Houston out of the South and University of Connecticut out of the East.

Arizona has been too dominant all year with their sheer size in the frontcourt and elite closer in the backcourt. The teams remaining in their side of the bracket simply don’t have enough size or depth and I believe this year is the year head coach Tommy Lloyd escapes the Sweet 16 for the first time in his career and reaches the Final Four.

Iowa State has a team that can match up with anybody in the country. Their defensive scheme and Milan Momcilovic shooting almost 50% from 3-point line is absurd. They also are wanting to break the curse of never reaching the Final Four in program history.

Going Big 12 heavy, I felt that Houston was the easiest to forecast to a Final Four appearance. Coach Kelvin Sampson always has his guys ready to go, especially defensively. With the No. 1 seeded Florida being knocked out already, I believe if they can get past the high powered offense against Illinois, another Final Four appearance will be had for the Cougars. The toughest one I had was UConn coming out of the east. With Duke’s players being injured and even if St. John’s University pulls off the upset, I think the Huskies can overcome some regular season struggles behind coach Dan Hurley and advance all the way to the Sweet 16.

My love for the Big 12 runs deep, but sadly I already have faced some disappointment with two of my picks. Of course, I have the No. 1 seed University of Arizona taking it all. There truly is no other option for me. This is the best team Arizona has seen for years demonstrating physicality, teamwork, and great chemistry across the entire team. Next, playing Arizona before the championship game I have the No. 1 seed in the midwest University of Michigan. There wasn’t much rhyme or reason behind this pick, but I think it would be a great matchup. The other side of my bracket is completely knocked out. The No. 2 seed University of Houston and No. 4 seed University of Kansas are both not in contention for the Final Four anymore. As we already know, Kansas sadly was taken out by St. John’s in the second round of the tournament. I loved watching Kansas

play this season, specifically their guard Melvin Council Jr. I have also loved watching Houston play this season. They were beaten by the University of Illinois 65-55 in the Sweet 16.

Because that side of my bracket is short, I’m now rooting for University of Connecticut and University of Iowa. Iowa hasn’t been to the Elite Eight since 1987, so it would be great to see them continue to succeed in this record breaking run in the tournament. For my women’s bracket, I have UConn and UCLA making it to the championship, so why not for the men’s too. But, at the end of the day, Arizona all the way!

all anyone talks about. This Final Four combination is my pick because whenever I’ve seen these teams, I feel like I have seen the juice in them that can carry them to Indianapolis. Especially the UA, who is, of course, my prediction to win it all!

In my Final Four, I have University of Arizona, University of Michigan, UConn and Houston. I’m not a basketball fan, but I have become more knowledgeable about it than I ever have been simply because it’s

My Final Four picks are Arizona, UConn, Michigan and Houston, but now University of Iowa. I picked these four for a few reasons. Arizona is my favorite team, for obvious reasons (GO CATS) and they have gone so far this basketball season with Lloyd and their combined efforts as a team. UConn won a couple of years ago and are on a comeback once again, with some standout players while Michigan is doing the same. I originally had Houston in my final four but now have replaced it with University of Iowa, who have had a great run this season, and caught my eye after their upset win over University of Florida.

DYLANN SWEENEY Magazine/PR Editor WILL SHENOT Assistant Sports Editor

Duke University Blue Devils are set to represent the eastern region in the Final Four. Duke will have a “get-right” game against St. Johns, which should allow them to regain their elite form. After that, the Blue Devils will take on Michigan State in the Elite Eight and come out on top. Duke has consistently shown a high level of performance throughout the season, and they should return to that standard when facing Rick Pitino and the Red Storm.

The University of Arizona Wildcats come out of the west. Arizona’s

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

MASON KUMET | THE DAILY WILDCAT Jaden Bradley attempts to get around his defender during the second round of March Madness against Utah State in Viejas Arena in San Diego on March 22.

ANDRES VALENZUELA Sports Reporter

AVA WIDENER Sports Editor

IAN STASH Assistant News Editor

SCHOOL SPIRIT SPORTS

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13

dominance on the boards and their length and versatility create major problems for University of Arkansas, which struggles in those areas. The Wildcats are the best rebounding team in the tournament, and that strength serve them well in San Jose. After getting past Arkansas, Arizona takes on Purdue in the Elite Eight, and with Purdue’s inconsistencies this season, Arizona moves on to the Final Four. Arizona has consistently been the best team all season and are my pick to win the Tournament.

The University of Michigan wins the Midwest region, continuing the trend of No. 1 seeds dominating the tournament. The top three teams have separated from the rest, shown by their Adjusted Efficiency Metric scores, all within 0.01 of each other. Michigan handles the University of Alabama without major difficulty, setting up a showdown with Iowa State. Iowa State is a tough opponent, but with uncertainty around Joshua Jefferson, the Wolverines have the upper hand. The Wolverines are statistically one of the top teams but I would not be surprised if the Cyclones knock them off here.

The University of Illinois faces the University of Houston in a pivotal matchup that will likely decide who advances to the Final Four. Illinois’ elite offense gets the edge over Houston’s tough defense, as Sampson’s team again can’t get past this hurdle. Houston’s inconsistent offense is a major concern and keeps them from moving forward. Illinois then has an easier contest against Big 10 rival Nebraska. While Nebraska is strong, they don’t match up with Houston, which helps Illinois secure a spot in Indianapolis.

EMMA LAPOINTE Editor in Chief

My final four picks are Duke, Michigan, UA and Illinois. Unfortunately, my bracket had Houston in it originally, so that was a hard blow last night... but otherwise, I am still in the game!

I feel like these are pretty obvious choices, I am honestly not the biggest basketball fan, and all I know is I really need my Wildcat’s to bring

it back home. I think Duke and Illinois would be a really amazing game, though. It has been a showout March Madness for Illinois, and this would be their first time in the Final Four since 2005, which I just found out 30 seconds ago. I see them as the underdog team, and there have already been a ton of upsets, so I see that as being an exhilarating game.

The one I am much more passionate about, though, is Michigan v. UA. Every time I open a Barstool or

ESPN Instagram post hyping up Arizona, there is always a Michigan fan saying they are really the best. Since I first saw that, I’ve needed a matchup. Let’s put it to the test! There would be so much drama around it, and the game would probably give me a heart attack, but it would be so much fun. Either way, I cannot wait to see what happens!

MASON KUMET | THE DAILY WILDCAT

IVAN KHARCHENKOV FLEXES AFTER HOLDS UP a play against LIU in the first round of March Madness in San Diego on Mar. 20.

SCHOOL MAGAZINESPIRIT & PR

Bear down turns 100 years old

The motto “bear down” turns 100 years old this year and its importance extends beyond the campus and current students

MIA PAYETTE

One-hundred years ago, John Byrd “Button” Salmon left the 1926 football team with one final message before his passing. “Tell them […] tell them to bear down.” Onehundred years later, athletes, fans, students, alumni and all of Tucson have continued to keep this message alive.

Salmon was the student body president and quarterback of the 1926 team. After a win against the freshmen team in an annual scrimmage, he took a trip to Phoenix. Upon returning, he got into a car crash and became paralyzed from the chest down, passing away 2 weeks later. Prior to the accident, Salmon’s coach J.F. “Pop” McKale had visited him and asked what word he should take back to the team. That’s when the Arizona rally cry was born.

Students quickly adopted this motto, leading them to paint bear down on top of the gymnasium, now known as Bear Down Gymnasium. Former band director Jack K. Lee saw the motto on the roof from his airplane, which inspired him to write “Bear Down, Arizona,” putting a melody behind the iconic motto.

While saying bear down might come naturally, most don’t know why it is said. In an effort to inform all incoming students about the tradition, this story has become a staple fact for campus tours.

“It’s because a lot of people, when they’re coming here, they don’t know why we say bear down,” Ari -

zona Ambassador Rachel Zorer said.

“It’s such a big part of our history, like our Bear Down building. You’ll notice our bear down sign that’s kind of near the library, it’ll have a little plaque that says why we say bear down, but a lot of people are just coming in wondering ‘why do you say bear down when you’re the Wildcats?’ That confuses a lot of people.”

Whether you took a tour before starting at the University of Arizona or are just walking around campus, you’ve probably heard an Arizona Ambassador singing “Bear Down, Arizona” and sharing the history behind the motto. This is done for all tours and always sung in front of the gym because the lyrics are engraved into the steps. According to Zorer, this sets them apart from other tour groups and they’re known as the singing tour guides; something they joke about with their

group at the beginning of their tour.

“You really notice people start to loosen up and get more comfortable with you after you sing to them because you’re kind of putting yourself in a vulnerable position singing to a big group of people you’ve never met before,” Zorer said. “We always say at the beginning of the tours, ‘I need you to cheer and clap for me at the end like you just saw your favorite artist in concert’ […]. Some people get really into it and they just love it, like parents eat it up. Sometimes they’ll record you while you’re singing, but it’s definitely one of my favorite parts, especially with a good tour group. Just seeing the way people laugh and light up afterwards.”

Tucson takes pride in its university and this saying brings the entire city together — whether you are just starting at the university, or graduated decades ago. Alumni groups can also be found

outside of Arizona, sporting the logo or iconic motto and coming together to say bear down.

“Something that we always like to say too is that Tucson really rallies around the University of Arizona. I think we’ve seen that especially with the Final Four and everything. Just the way people have really shown out for this university and the way it’s such a big part of what Tucson is. I really like to emphasize that on my tours and just kind of embody that spirit of this is what we really care about and it’s not just the university that cares about this, it’s the whole city that really rallies around the community,” Zorer said.

The UA is celebrating Bear Down 100 by remembering important achievements from the university within the past 100 years. Remarkable events include the return of the OSIRIS-REx mission in 2023, the opening of the Center for Creative Photography in 1975 and the NCAA National Championship win in 1997.

Heard around stadiums and campus, read on t-shirts and signs and sung aloud with the Pride of Arizona, bear down has remained as important to the UA and Tucson community as it did in 1926.

The Daily Wildcat

MIA PAYETTE | THE DAILY WILDCAT SIGN IN FRONT OF t he Bear Down gymnasium that says “bear down” on the University of Arizona mall.

UConn and Michigan will battle for the NCAA Championship

HAZIEL RICHARDSON

The Daily Wildcat

The University of Connecticut will play the University of Michigan on Monday, April 6 in Lucas Oil Stadium for the right to call themselves the NCAA National Champions.

UConn

Connecticut has had a great tournament, winning the East region

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

with a second-half comeback against Duke University and defeating the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in the Final Four. The Huskies are looking to win their third championship in just four years, and their third title within head coach Dan Hurley’s 8-year tenure.

UConn will be led out by senior center Tarris Reed Jr., with an average of roughly 15 points per game, two assists and nine rebounds. Reed leads the team

in field goal percentage with .617 and two blocks per game. The Huskies will need all of Reed’s contributions, if they want to have a chance against Michigan.

The Huskies will also need huge contributions from the senior forward Alex Karaban, who averages 13.1 points per game, two assists and five rebounds. Karaban is second on the team in steals and will need to clog the passing lanes for Michigan if they want to have a chance.

The Huskies will need to outrebound the Wolverines, as they average five more rebounds than their opponents per game. They will also have to find the right passes, as they average eight more assists than their opponents per game.

Michigan

Michigan has been dominant throughout the tournament, winning each of its five games by double digits. They defeated the University of Tennessee to win the Midwest region and University of Arizona in the Final Four.

Michigan is looking for its first

national championship since 1989, and its first under head coach Dusty May in his two seasons at Michigan.

The team is led by freshman guard Yaxel Lendeborg, who averages 15 points per game, three assists and seven rebounds. He leads the team in free-throw percentage with .819, so he will look to get the Connecticut guards in foul trouble as early as possible to help Michigan walk out with a national championship.

Next, there is sophomore forward Morez Johnson Jr. who averages 13.1 points per game. He is second on the team in field goal percentage with .681, and Michigan will need his scoring efficiency if they want to cut the nets for the final time this season. Michigan is great at blocking shots, averaging three more blocks per game than opponents. They will also need to find a way to the right passes, as they average seven more assists per game than their opponents.

CHARLIE RAMIREZ | ARIZONA ATHLETICS

“You always show up for your family:” Arizona students make the 1400-mile journey and back in less than

JASMINE CREIGHTON

The Daily Wildcat

For many University of Arizona students, the men’s basketball team making it to the Final Four for the first time in 25 years makes this season one for the books. But for these four, the money, time and travel are more than worth it to see their Wildcats play in Indianapolis.

The journey was a quick turnaround in 24 hours to show up for the big game. The group took a flight from Tucson to Los Angeles for a layover, then flew to Indianapolis. They were originally going to fly into Atlanta, but their flight was delayed and they would’ve missed part of the game, which was out of the question for them.

Eleanor Cornish, a junior at UA, said that they booked the flights right before the game, landed in Indianapolis the same morning and left the day after.

“Other people flying into Chicago and taking the train. So I think we had a pretty nice flight plan. Lots of other people just kind of were winging it, trying to get there whichever way they could.” Andrew Pongratz, a senior on the trip, said.

The logistical challenges of the trip didn’t just stop at the airport, but also followed them in how they were going to make it to the stadium in time.

Vasu Kedia, a junior, explained that they didn’t even go to the hotel before the game.

“We were really going to take an Uber to our hotel and then the stadium, but our flight got delayed a bit and we wouldn’t have had time. So we just found a hotel 0.5 miles away from the stadium and paid them to hold our luggage and then we just picked it up after the game.” he said.

Despite the various hurdles the group had to jump through in order to see the Final Four showdown, all of them would do it in a heart -

beat for reasons beyond the love of the game.

“We just really wanted to support the players and the coach Tommy who we love, so we just really wanted to make it happen one way or another, and it was really an amazing experience,” Cornish said.

Two of the friends, Pongratz and Shavim Kedia, are graduating in the spring, which made the trip to Indianapolis even more exciting for them.

“As seniors, this made a lot of sense

a day.

for us. Whether we were going to win or not didn’t really matter to us.” Pongratz said. “But being able to just make a memory and put this as part of all the other stuff I’ve been doing my senior year, I think, was important for me.”

For Vasu Kedia, growing up in Tucson made the Wildcats’ advancement to the Final Four truly unforgettable. “I’ve been in Tucson my entire life. I’ve pretty much grown up with this team.

I have a signed ball from Sean Miller, from God knows how long ago, so being

able to see this team go to the Final Four finally, I just couldn’t miss it.” he said.

Despite Arizona’s loss against the University of Michigan, the group wouldn’t change much about their trip, and certainly not their team.

“To me Arizona basketball is family. And you always show up for your family,” Shavim Kedia said.

ELEANOR CORNISH | DAILY WILDCAT

UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA STUDENTS from left to right, Vasu Kedia, Shavim Kedia, Andrew Pongratz, and Eleanor Cornish, at the Final Four game decked out in student section gear.

SCHOOL SPIRIT NEWS

Arizona Athletics and the Final Four: The people behind the program

Arizona Athletics staff in both Indianapolis and Tucson share preparation and excitement as Arizona appears in the Final Four on Saturday

As the Arizona men’s basketball team appears in the NCAA’s men’s basketball Final Four for the first time since 2001, Arizona Athletics is buzzing with excitement and pride. Arizona Athletics encompasses coaching, marketing, ticket sales, analytics and event management, showing that it truly takes a village to produce top-tier athletic programs.

Many Arizona Athletics staff members are already in Indianapolis preparing for the Wildcats’ face off against the No. 1 ranked University of Michigan on Saturday, April 4. Chris Foo is the director of videography for Arizona Athletics and is currently with the team in Indiana.

Foo collects footage from all 22 sports at the University of Arizona, attending teams home and away games, practices, lifts and special events. With this footage, he creates hype videos played at the games and many of the videos shared on athletics’ social media platforms.

“It’s just really exciting,” Foo said. “We’ve seen so much footage from all the past ones so it’s exciting to be able to witness it and be a part of it and be able to have the opportunity to help capture some of that historical footage that will hopefully be used for years to come.”

Foo graduated from Arizona in 2012 and began working at Arizona Athletics in 2018. He described the ecstatic energy in the department since making it to the Final Four and what this means to the staff, especially those of whom are Tucson locals.

“A lot of my coworkers in my department grew up in Tucson and went to the U of A, so for something like this to happen just feels like something we have been hoping that would happen for a long

time, so to see that come to fruition is really exciting,” Foo said.

Foo explained that his nights and weekends are primarily shooting events and during the work week the videography team edits and creates all fan-facing media. Leading up to the game in Indianapolis, his team will be covering open media events such as press conferences, open locker rooms and open practices.

“We’re just trying to tell the story and show people what it’s like if they weren’t able to make it,” Foo said.

Foo shared that his favorite project he has worked on was a trailer when Arizona joined the Big 12 conference, featuring country singer and UA alumnus Mark Wystrach. Wystrach is an Arizona Athletics fan and allowed the videography team to use one of his songs for the video.

“It was telling a lot of history about Arizona athletics, but also looking towards the future

of being in the Big 12,” Foo said. “It was a big project and involved a lot of different parties, so it was fun getting to collaborate with a bunch of people too.”

Foo highlighted that his favorite Arizona Athletics moment was seeing everyone celebrate on the court after making it to the Final Four, as well as the Alamo Bowl game, where Arizona football defeated University of Oklahoma 38-24 in 2023.

From videography to ticketing, every department of Arizona Athletics is staying busy in preparation for the biggest game of the year. Davis Lawson has been an assistant director of ticketing operations at Arizona Athletics for 4 months.

“We are all super excited and super pumped., Lawson said. “You don’t know until the week that you have made it to the Final Four, so it’s been hectic, crazy and chaotic but in the best way.”

Lawson explained that he helps plan, organize and implement all ticketing operations primarily for baseball and gymnastics events and trains student workers for office and gameday operations. He additionally acts as a liaison between coaches, student athletes, event managers and the marketing staff.

“I would definitely say making the Final Four,” Lawson said when asked about his favorite Arizona Athletics moment. “It’s such a big deal and really cool to be a part of, especially in my first year at Arizona Athletics.”

Lawson also highlighted the Arizona men’s basketball game against Iowa State University in the Big 12 Championship this year as another memorable moment. His all-time favorite Arizona athlete is former Wildcat quarterback Nicholas Foles.

CHARLIE RAMIREZ | THE DAILY WILDCAT

Center at ALKEME Arena on Feb. 28.

MALIA HIRASA

The Daily Wildcat

Arizona Athletics locks in men’s basketball head coach Tommy Lloyd with five-year extension

“I’m happy to announce I’m staying at Arizona,” Tommy Lloyd told reporters on Friday ahead of their Final Four matchup against the University of Michigan.

The University of Arizona has signed men’s basketball head coach Lloyd to a five year, $37.5 million extension through the 2030-31 season. Arizona’s new deal will make Lloyd one of the five highest paid coaches in the sport. The deal will start in the 2026-27 season at $7.2 million and average $7.5 million over the remaining years on the deal.

With national attention looming over the Wildcats recent Final Four run, Lloyd’s name was in the running for the head coach position amongst college basketball blue bloods. Despite Lloyd’s name continuing to come up for the vacancy, the focus remained in the present.

“Guys, this team has my full focus. Nothing, nothing, I promise nothing, is knocking me off that path. You might call them ‘distractions’, but it’s cause you’re distracted. That doesn’t mean I’m distracted.”

With the recent firing of University of North Carolina head coach Hubert Davis, Lloyd was amongst the hottest names to fill the spot in Chapel Hill. With the Final Four in sight, statements had been asked about Lloyd’s future regarding the North Carolina job opening. Lloyd was widely viewed as a top candidate to take over one of college basketball’s most prestigious programs.

“My Michael Jordan is Steve Kerr. I’m proud to be an Arizona Wildcat,” said Lloyd in a press conference after the extension announcement. There were rumors spread in regards to a phone call conversation between Jordan and Lloyd about the North Carolina job.

“The phone call with Michael Jordan never did happen, I’ll put that to rest. We all idolized MJ. North Carolina is an amazing place, North Carolina is a first class organization, and I

appreciate them for the way they’ve handled this.”

Lloyd’s success reached its apex in his fifth season as Arizona’s head coach, bringing the Wildcats to their first Final Four in 25 years. Despite the 91-73 beatdown to the University of Michigan, getting past the Sweet 16 for the first time in Lloyd’s head coaching career and making it to the national semifinal matchup and making a statement to the college basketball world.

In his five seasons, Lloyd has a record of 148-35 (.809), the most by a head coach in their first five seasons in NCAA history. He was named AP Coach of the Year in his first year at Arizona, and recently Naismith Men’s College Coach of the Year after a 36-3 record during this past season. Beyond the accolades, Lloyd has helped reestablish Arizona as one of the nation’s blue blood programs.

Before becoming a head coach, Lloyd was under Mark Few’s wing at Gonzaga University as an assistant coach for 20 years. During that time, the Bulldogs reached the NCAA tournament every season, helping put Gonzaga on the college basketball map and establishing himself as one of the top assistants in the nation.

Now secured for the long term, Lloyd has positioned Arizona for continued success at the national level. With the Wildcats first Final Four appearance in over two decades, Lloyd looks to build off that momentum next season to make another deep tournament run.

ANDRES VALENZUELA The Daily Wildcat

EVELYN FLEMING | THE DAILY WILDCAT

FRESHMAN KOA PEAT CELEBRATES with coach Tommy Lloyd after winning the Elite Eight round of March Madness and West Coach Regional Champions over the Purdue University Boilermakers, on March 28 in SAP Center in San Jose, California sending them to the Final Four in Indianapolis

MAKE YOUR MARK

APARTMENTS NEAR U OF A

Rooftop pool deck with University ofArizona + mountain views

Modern student-focused high-rise units in Tucson

Academic lounge w/ private + group study + printing center

1 –4 bedroom options

In-unit washer + dryer

Outdoor grills

Furnished apartments

Covered parking

Shuttle service to campus (less than 5 minutes away)

Exclusive Arizona WildcatsTM Debit Cards.

From one hometown favorite to another, congratulations to Coach Tommy Lloyd and Arizona ® Men’s Basketball. Your superfans at Hughes Federal Credit Union are always excited to cheer for you on the road towards victory. Bear Down® !

You can be a superfan too with one of our exclusive University of Arizona® Debit Cards. Choose from several designs, including our basketball design in honor of both the Men’s and Women’s teams. Show your Wildcat spirit with every purchase. Get yours today.

Hughes is a proud supporter of the University of Arizona and the Title Sponsor of Arizona Women’s Athletics for more than 18 years.

University of Arizona

CHARLIE RAMIREZ

STUDENT LIFE

Michigan men’s basketball take the NCAA National Championship title

HAZIEL RICHARDSON Sports Editor

The University of Michigan defeated the University of Connecticut to win the NCAA men’s basketball championship on Monday, April 6, in Lucas Oil Stadium. This is Michigan’s first national title since 1989 and first under head coach Dusty May, who just wrapped up his second season with the Wolverines.

“Just the feelings that people had, the pride they had in their university, I thought that was really cool … Michigan is a place with a changing landscape where we can retain really good players, even if it isn’t going great for them,” May said post-game about why he took the head coaching position at Michigan.

Michigan key players

The Wolverines were led by junior guard Elliot Cadeau, who scored a game-high of 19 points along with three rebounds and two assists. Cadeau also had a great night from the freethrow line, going 8-of-9. After the game, Cadeau was awarded the NCAA Tournament Most Valuable Player. After facing lots of criticism earlier in the season, Cadeau helped guide the Wolverines to their second national championship.

Next for the Wolverines was freshman guard Yaxel Lendeborg, who recorded 13 points and two rebounds. Lendeborg suffered a knee and ankle injury but was cleared to play in the national championship game after the MRI came back clean. He managed to play 36 minutes, as one of the oldest players in college basketball at 23.

UConn key players

For head coach Dan Hurley and UConn, this marks the team’s first loss in a national championship game, as they have previously dominated and always walked out with a national championship under their belt. It was their third national championship game in 4 years.

The lead scorer for the Huskies was senior forward Alex Karaban, who ended the night with 17 points and 11 rebounds.

“He’s put UConn in that rarefied place in college basketball. Everyone owes everything to that guy, and I figure, let me just play — let me play him into the

ground one more time, just one more 40-minute game for Alex,” Hurley said post-game about how much Karaban meant to the UConn program.

The Huskies’ second leading scorer was senior center Tarris Reed Jr. with 13 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. Reed Jr. transferred 2 years ago to UConn from Michigan, so losing to his former school didn’t soften the blow.

Game recap

It was a close national championship game between the Huskies and Wolverines. Michigan got an early lead,

but UConn stayed close throughout. UConn consistently stayed 7 points behind and, towards the end, couldn’t get any closer.

Michigan shot only two 3-pointers all game, and they missed their first 10 attempts. Instead, they relied on their free-throw shooting and dominance in the paint. This was not a normal Michigan game, and many people would argue it was their worst game of the season. Yet, they still came out on top with the national championship.

MASON KUMET | THE DAILY WILDCAT

NIMARI BURNETT LIFTS THE National Champion Trophy as the confetti falls on Michigan in Lucas Oil Stadium on April 6 in Indianapolis.

OPINION

The college basketball fan culture is horrifying

KAMSI KANMA-OKAFOR

A highlight of the average American’s year, March Madness is finally here. This is the one time in the life of a college student where it feels like the whole school unites against a common threat — or at least that is how it feels here at the sunny University of Arizona. From the packed watch parties to the bracket contests, this season is always filled with energy. With all good things, however, there are bad sides to them.

I’m sure we are all familiar with the incident of an individual slashing a tire of a bus belonging to Texas Tech University’s men’s basketball team after they beat Arizona 78-75. If that person

were in court defending it, they would claim that they did it out of loyalty for their school, but this is obviously an example of parasocial behaviors. For context, a parasocial relationship is one where a person genuinely believes that they have a personal connection with a public figure heavily portrayed in the media. People who have this harmful type of relationship tend to do these unhealthy, harmful things.

In today’s world, players are watched by alumni and fans from all over, as soon as they commit to college programs. As soon as the player is seen by the college fandom, next thing you know they have their own fandom and they become success stories well before the season even starts.

However, with this success comes scrutiny.

A lot of fans tend to forget that these athletes are normal humans like us. Not

only that, but like many fans, they have classes to keep up with and eventually pass if they want to keep their position. But people fail to understand that for reasons I cannot comprehend in the slightest. It is illogical to expect a player to be at their best during every single game. It should be common sense that behind-the-scenes situations could greatly influence a player’s performance on the paint.

Sports gambling is a problem on its own, but it adds to the parasocial aspect of the fan culture in basketball because it contributes to the feeling that these students are their personal property who must win when they bet in their favor. As a result, they go to social media platforms and harass them. According to the NCAA, the 2025 study by Growth, Opportunities, Aspirations and Learning of Students in College showed that 51% of student

athletes were abused on social media based on their athletic performance and 46% received negative or threatening messages from people who bet on their game.

We, as a society, need to curb this issue before this type of behavior leads to more deaths.

It’s already been happening in music, fans becoming obsessed with their favorite star. Christina Grimmie for example, a promising singer who was killed at the age of 22 by gunshots to her head and chest by an obsessed fan. If this isn’t tackled soon, this could upend the lives of innocent student athletes, some of which are just trying to support their families. Anyone who engages in this type of behavior should be arrested and dealt with accordingly.

MASON KUMET | THE DAILY WILDCAT

AN ARIZONA FAN CRIES after the Wildcats lose to Michigan in the Final Four in Lucas Oil Stadium on April 4 in Indianapolis

The Daily Wildcat

MAGAZINE & PR

Beyond the bracket: March Madness as a brand

The madness of March runs much deeper than many think, operating outside the court as a coordinated mix of media, branding and fan engagement

Every March, the country erupts into a frenzy to watch the NCAA Division I men’s basketball tournament. Students, fans and alumni alike pause from real life to make brackets, tune into games and watch their favorite teams tackle the ups and downs of the competition.

But the tournament’s impact extends far beyond highlights and upsets. While people are on the edge of their seats, drawn to teams and the players, branding and sports public relations play largely influential roles in why we feel so drawn to the madness of March.

The “madness”

The name March Madness itself is a brand, whether noticed or not. As a word, madness encapsulates the unpredictability of the tournament, as well as the chaos and excitement that surrounds each game. It is memorable and therefore drives engagement before the tournament even begins, as it communicates the anticipation and excitement that fans experience every year when March rolls around. There are expectations of another “mad” month and makes viewers feel like they are part of the madness rather than only the players, as the name reinforces the tournament’s identity as an experience rather than simply a game broadcasted on TV.

March Madness Live and brackets

NCAA March Madness Live is a free, interactive app to stream all tournament games, allowing users to create their own bracket and join groups, receive game-time updates and more. It centralizes the viewing experience, allowing the tournament to be accessible anywhere and maintains connection between fans and the game. This pushes engagement that involves interactivity and allows for a continuous following of the tournament, reflecting a shift over the past years towards digital sports consumption.

The bracket itself is a centerpiece of March Madness. It maps out all tournament matchups and provides a visual and interactive format that allows audiences to keep track of progress and game outcomes throughout the entire tournament. According to a PR Newswire survey, 84% of Americans do not follow college basketball, but NCAA tournament bracket pools are “the country’s largest participatory sports event, ahead of fantasy football and Super Bowl squares.”

Bracket creation is a significant part of fan engagement even before games begin, with work, school and personal competitions and its simplicity making the entire environment of March Madness more accessible to “casual” viewers who do not typically keep up with basketball.

Social media and branding

Social media platforms have grown to be significant drivers of viewer engagement in March Madness. TikTok, X and Instagram are large producers of engagement, with March Madness content on social media projected to generate 2.5 billion video views last year, ac-

cording to a March Madness statistic. Branded content and highlight reels contribute to this data, as well as advertising that is integrated into posts with products or sponsors. Teams and players secure increased visibility through shared content and social media acts as an extra layer of game coverage that reaches viewers outside of game broadcasting.

Nike is a popular brand that is regularly affiliated with March Madness, with this year as no exception — both Nike and its affiliated Jordan Brand were worn by 44 teams, an increase from 41 last year and signifying the largest number for Nike since its sponsoring of 48 teams in 2021.

Sponsorship connections allow sponsors to extend their reach to engage newer audiences through social media, further contributing to their customer base and investment from heightened exposure.

Media revenue and deals

Revenue sharing agreements from March Madness significantly impact NCAA conferences and their member schools and much of the money received by teams gets invested into

schools’ athletic programs, going towards areas like arenas or facilities, scholarships, athletic travel expenses and salaries. For example, beginning in 2025, the men’s basketball teams now receive 24% from a media rights deal, which accumulates to approximately almost $9 billion over 8 years, according to a Mizzou sports management expert, Michelle Brimecombe.

Deal structures illustrate how revenue generated by the tournament gets distributed across the entirety of the NCAA system, instead of only being concentrated in a single area. Because of this, performance and participation in March Madness can have beneficial financial ramifications for conferences and schools beyond the tournament itself.

Sports betting

An increasingly popular activity among sports fans, betting has become a key factor driving online engagement throughout the tournament. According to a March Madness statistic, more than 28 million Americans were anticipated to bet on the 2025 March Madness tournament and this trend is expected to continue in this year’s tournament, with betting up “33% this year among Americans 21+ who live in a state where sports betting is legal,” as stated in new CivicScience data. Sports betting growth creates a space for targeted marketing, such as betting apps and other similar platforms and can fuel online discourse that brands are able to strategically engage with. In response, brands and companies in related industries have the potential to explore specific marketing strategies or partnership.

While games remain at the forefront of March Madness, the event extends well beyond the court and involves a highly coordinated intersection of sport, media and marketing to drive tournament popularity. The shift to digital engagement reflects how March Madness has evolved into a brand, where interaction and continuous connectivity are vital to the tournament’s overall experience.

DYLANN SWEENEY

The Daily Wildcat

MASON KUMET | THE DAILY WILDCAT

ARIZONA FANS GET HYPED up before playing Michigan in the Final Four in Lucas Oil Stadium on April 4 in Indianapolis.

NEWS

Bars cash in as Wildcats advance to the Final Four

March Madness drives crowds, boosts operations along University Boulevard in the final weekend of the big dance

CHARLOTTE ROTKIS

The Daily Wildcat

When Arizona wins, celebration spills across campus and into every bar on University Boulevard.

As Arizona advances to the Final Four, bars along University Boulevard are seeing packed patios, long lines and some of their busiest nights of the year. From students streaming games and debating brackets, March Madness has brought packed crowds to University Boulevard, boosting business for bars near campus.

For many bars, the tournament is more than just entertainment. It is a critical revenue driver.

“March Madness is always exciting,” Sabrina Herrera, hiring and training manager for Unique Concepts, which operates Gentle Ben’s Brewing Company said, “But this year, us being good is insane for us. We’re getting hundreds of people each time it’s a game, and each game is getting busier and busier.”

As the Wildcats have advanced to the Final Four, crowds and sales have steadily climbed. Herrera stated the bar is now preparing for its busiest outcome yet.

To keep up with demand, Gentle Ben’s has significantly increased its operations. Alcohol orders have roughly doubled compared to normal levels, reaching volumes similar to major events like graduation weekend.

“We are probably hitting our graduation par list,” Herrera said. “Our normal order is definitely doubled.” The surge in customers requires more than just inventory. Bars are bringing in additional staff, security and temporary workers to manage the influx while maintaining service quality.

“Definitely more security,” Herrera said. “We’ll bring on temp workers […] and we max out everyone. Everyone knows if you work here, you have to work those big days.”

Gentle Ben’s has begun charging a cover fee during games partly to account for guests who occupy space without purchasing food or drinks.

“That’s to kind of almost cover that loss,” Herrera said.

Other bars are seeing similar spikes even if their approach differs.

At Frog & Firkin, front-of-house manager Brittany Gregory expressed March Madness consistently ranks among the busiest times of the year.

“Obviously, we want the Wildcats to go

all the way, and when they do that, things are very good for us,” Gregory said.

Like Gentle Ben’s, Frog & Firkin increases staffing and security during tournament games, adding extra tables and chairs to accommodate larger crowds.

“We definitely beef up our staff,” Gregory said. “We bring in extra tables, extra chairs, and we try to be very organized.”

Unlike some neighboring bars, Frog & Firkin does not charge a cover fee, relying instead on reservations and consistent customer flow.

“The energy is very high,” Gregory said. “The crowds have been just super excited and just happy to be here.”

With hundreds of fans gathering in close quarters, safety has also become a prior-

ity. Herrera mentioned that increased police presence and preparations, including paramedics nearby, help ensure crowd control and prevent issues.

“We’re jam-packed,” Herrera said.

“The police do a good job of just preparing us […] that’s just to ensure everyone’s safety.”

For businesses along University Boulevard, the stakes of each game go beyond the bracket. As Arizona continues its Final Four run, each win brings celebration and a boost to the local economy.

And with the possibility of a championship ahead, bars are preparing for what could be their biggest night yet.

MAGAZINE & PR

How fans kept busy beyond the basketball court

While most people’s main focus this weekend was on the Final Four and championship game, teh NCAA made sure that guests were left satisfied with a jam-packed weekend of entertainment.

Throughout the weekend, At&T, Capital One and Coca-Cola hosted a March Madness music festival. What was unique about this event was the fact that it was completely free, whether or not you were attending the basketball game, The event took place on the American Legion Mall, which is roughly 2 miles north of Lucas Oil Stadium.

The first event of the three, the AT&T Block Party, took place on Friday, April 3. The event ran from 4:30 p.m. until 10 p.m.. Headliner Twenty One Pilots were the last group to perform, and were preceded by keshi and Joey Valence & Brae.

The second event was Coca-Cola Live!, which took place during the Final Four on Saturday, April 4. The headliner was Zac Brown, a popular country artist. He eprformed at 8:10 p.m., slightly before the University of Arizona and University of Michigan game began. Occasionally during the University of Illinois and UConn game, the jumbotron would show the jampacked crowd in attendance on the mall.

The last of the musical festival events, Capital One JamFest, occured on Sunday, April 5. The headliner for this concert was Post Malone, and was supported by Megan Maroney and Dominic Fike. When standing in the crowd, it was obvious there were fans for all three artists spread around, some saving their spot for when their favorite artist finally came out on stage. Others, seemed to be primarily there for basketball, and enjoying the entertainment on the side.

The Capital One Jamfest featured private suites where Capital One cardholders could watch the concert with a better view on the side of the American Legion Mall. They also featured a giant Ferris Wheel at the back of the mall, where concert-goers could ride and get a once-in-a-lifetime view of the city of Indianapolis.

Capital One also sponsored a Fan Fest event, which cost $15 to attend. It occurred each of the four days, starting at noon on Friday, Saturday and Monday and running well into the evening. On Sunday, the event began earlier at 10 a.m.

The event was free to those who had already purchased tickets to any of the Final Four or championship games occurring that weekend, anyone with a Capital One card, military personnel and college students. Some of the entertainment available included cheer clinics with the Indiana University cheerleading team, dance off’s, appearances from famous players and coaches and a pep rally to

kick off the championship games. The event took place right next to Lucas Oil stadium.

Besides concerts, the NCAA also presented the Men’s Final Four Tip-Off Tailgate for all four schools. This event ran from Thursday to Monday, and ran from a few hours before tip-off until close to the end of the game timel, or roughly until 10 p.m.

On Friday, April 3, the tailgate included a viewing party of the women’s Final Four games which was taking place in Phoenix, and on Sunday, April 5 it included a viewing party of the women’s national championship game. While the D3 and NIT games happened this weekend in Indianapolis, this specific event

did not cater towards it.

The tailgating event took place on Georgia Street in downtown Indiaapolis, about a mile from the game itself. This event was also free, and catered towards fans who were not able to get tickets inside the stadium.

It featured booths from various sponsors, including Wendy’s, Pizza Hut and Coca Cola. Shaquielle O’Neal also had his “ShaqA-Licious ” XL Gummies stand as part of the event.

GEICO presented the “Men’s Final Four Dribble,” which was a one-mile physical activity event where participants 18 and younger would compete in a dripping obstacle course. The course was designed in such a way that it would showoff downtown Indianapolis.

As part of the event, the NCAA announced that participants would receive complimentary shirts and access to the Final Four Fan Fest. The first 3,000 participants earned a GEICO Final Four shirt and a themed basketball. The event ended up reaching capacity.

Besides bringing entertainment to those traveling potentially hundreds of miles to watch their favorite team perform at the most coveted college basketball tournament, the amount of entertainment available also brings in large amounts of money for the host cities. On Saturday, Lucas Oil Stadium reached a capacity of over 70,000, with over 100,000 people attending the week in it’s entirety, according to NCAA screens inside the stadium.

According to Forbes, a single tournament weekend can pump $50 to $100 million into a cities economy, between sold out hotels, restaurants around the stadium reaching capacity and sports bars becoming hotspots for those unable to afford tickets to the game itself who still wish to experience the atmosphere.

While the exact numbers are not available yet, it is clear that the NCAA had it’s work cut out for them to find ways to keep the crowd of over 100,000 tourists happy and content while they either had the best weekend of their entire lives, or a devastating heartbreak, watching their college team fumble a win.

EMMA LAPOINTE

The Daily Wildcat

EMMA LAPOINTE | THE DAILY WILDCAT

THE CAPITAL ONE STAGE at the American Legion Mall during the Dominic Fike set at the Capital One JamFest on April 5.

From Tucson to the Final Four: Daily Wildcat Staff reflects on Indianapolis

The Daily Wildcat Staff entire world to be able to see this event from their homes or on their personal devices is so incredibly admirable. Sometimes, being a reporter, editor or photographer can feel so stressful and overwhelming — but it truly is one of the craziest jobs out there. I cannot help but feel so incredibly blessed. So, same time next year?

EMMA LAPOINTE Editor in Chief

I’ll admit that before college, I had no interest in sports reporting. My former sports editor would invite me to the press box, and I would laugh it off, but now I wish I had accepted.

I am a Tucson girl through and through, which also means I am a Wildcat through and through. The two are very hard to separate when the entire city revolves around the team. I grew up with people reminiscing on the 1997 and 2001 glory days. I would be lying if I said I didn’t cry watching us win the Final Four, which I watched from the floor, because we started winning the second I did.

From the second I watched this team beat the University of Florida, I started to dream big, and that dream kept becoming more and more real. The whole airplane here was unreal. The Tucson International Airport was the busiest I have ever seen, with a sea of red and blue. Every flight we took had a mix of orange, blue, red and orange. No matter where you went, everything was dedicated to basketball, and I felt an immense sense of pride and excitement when I saw the big block “A” on someone’s hat or shirt.

While obviously, this game did not turn out the way any of us wanted, and I cried multiple times while trying to stay professional, I really would not trade this experience for anything. Watching professional journalists do their job will never get old. I got to see the backstage experience of one of the largest venues and I got to step foot on a Final Four basketball court. All of this felt so incredibly surreal. The roar of the crowd, the “U of A” chants and the amount of hard work and passion it takes for the

DAVID MOORADIAN KAMP Student Radio

Just a 15 minute drive away from downtown Indianapolis is the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The speedway is home to the Indy 500, which is referred to as “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.” In true Indy fashion, what I observed at the Final Four was unquestionably the greatest spectacle in college sports.

Arizona’s home court, the McKale Center at ALKEME Arena, is a very strong college basketball venue. With a capacity of around 15,000, the average Wildcats game is lively if not raucous and fine details are attended to between stoppages. However, there is simply no comparison between an Arizona home game and the Final Four.

For starters, both games are played on an elevated court deck, which is fit onto what is normally the Indianapolis Colts football field. The CBS/TBS Pregame show, featuring stars such as Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal, was on stage wedged behind one of the baskets. Unlike most college games, which are played in front of 10-15,000 fans, these games are played in front of 70,000 fans. Furthermore, during the 50 minute gap between games one and two, the Chainsmokers performed a quasi-Super Bowl Halftime show. Before and after the concert, choruses of cheers and jeers were exchanged from the four fanbases which were all well-represented in Indianapolis. To me, the back-and-forth between fanbases helps distinguish the event from other games. There are four fanbases, not two. This means unexpected alliances are

between fanbases helps distinguish the event from other games. There are four fanbases, not two. This means unexpected alliances are formed and subsequently broken when the complexion of the tournament changes.

Onapersonalnote,sittingalongside someofthemostpreeminentsports journalistsinthecountrywasaprivilege. DuringtheFinalFour,tomyleftsatBob

CONTINUED ON PAGE 35

THE DAILY WILDCAT

UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA STUDENT MEDIA on the Final Four basketball court after UA lost to the University of Michigan. From left to right, Jasmine Creighton, Hazi Richardson, David Mooradian, Emma LaPointe and Ava Widener.

OPINION

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 34

Kravitz,whoisarguablythemost reputablesportswriterinthestateof Indiana.TomyrightwasNBCBroadcasterandwriterJohnFanta,whoisone ofthenetwork’sleadbroadcastersin collegebasketball.Apersonalhighlight came attheconclusionoftheArizonagame whenbothmencomplimentedmeonmy broadcastoftheArizona-Michigangame.

Asidefromthehistoryandhardware ontheline,thesheermagnitudeofthe eventisunmistakable.TheNCAAhas clearlymadeaconcertedefforttomake theFinalFourtheirownversionofthe SuperBowl.Itishardtosayitisnot working.ThecityofIndianapoliswas energizedandburstingwithvisitors. SevenweeksbeforetheIndy500,thecity hostedtheNCAA’shand-craftedspectacle andIndianapolis’sexperienceshowed.

My experience going to the NCAA Final Four to see the University of Arizona play was something I will never forget. 5 days away from home and everything I knew for an amazing chance to see history. Before this week, I had only been on an airplane a handful of times.

As we traveled across the country, seeing all the dedicated UA fans travel with us was the least surprising to me. I knew we would be surrounded by supporters, students and alumni who spent years supporting their team, and will continue to do so no matter how many times they win or lose, because that’s the Wildcat way.

Indianapolis is an amazing city. I attempted to familiarize myself with the culture by watching the 1986 movie “Hoosiers” but since I never finished it, I just had to see for myself. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I admired the city. Green grass, beautiful architecture, and a cool breeze made the experience even better. For a place whose culture can be defined by sports, Indianapolis definitely knows how to do it without overshadowing all the other cool things it has to offer.

During my time on the trip, I had the pleasure of doing what I love most: talking

to people. Interacting with different fans from different places was by far my favorite experience here. The UA attracts people from all across the world, but it was special to talk to people who love the game and their schools, even past graduation or even if they never attended at all.

On game day, I got to experience one of the busiest, chaotic, and amazing days of my time as a reporter for the Daily Wildcat. Being able to see the amount of effort and dedication that is put into making this experience happen made me deepen my admiration for sports and the people who write about it. The photographers, broadcasters and writers all worked alongside each other and were all very nice and welcoming to everyone there.

I may not be a sports reporter, but I love basketball, our Wildcats, and the news. The Wildcats had an amazing season, and the fact that I got to experience the end of the road first-hand was truly one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had. This opportunity was one in a lifetime, and it showed me how much is possible, and how much my career was the perfect choice for me.

HAZEL RICHARDSON News Editor

My experience traveling to the Final Four was great. I learned not only how to report but how to handle myself throughout chaos. I also think that the people around me were huge in my success, as they were extremely supportive and patient with me. It felt amazing just getting to do what I’ve wanted to do since I was a kid.

What I also think was amazing was seeing how all the desks worked with each other. I liked seeing what different people at different desks do, since I haven’t really seen much of that throughout my time at the Wildcat. It was an overall amazing experience and a great way to help end my senior year.

AVA WIDENER Sports Editor

This experience felt like a dream. After covering the men’s basketball team all season,

witnessing their success on the national stage was unforgettable. Walking out of the tunnel for the first time, the bright lights and loud music overwhelmed me, and I felt like I had peaked in that moment, trying to act cool but failing completely.

I was lucky enough to watch both Final Four games from the back of the hoop. Unfortunately, it was behind the University of Michigan student section rather than the Arizona one, but nonetheless, it was a great time because you could feel the Zona Zoo energy all the way across the court.

Even though the game did not go as we hoped, I couldn’t help smiling the entire time. Not only was going to the Final Four itself so cool, but going with media was a whole different experience. I was able to witness the best in the business, whether that be journalists, broadcasters, photographers, or videographers in their element and hopefully envision my future.

We went into the Arizona locker room post-game, where I got the opportunity to

THE DAILY WILDCAT

UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA STUDENT MEDIA on the Final Four basketball court after UA lost to the University of Michigan. From left to right, Jasmine Creighton, Hazi Richardson, David Mooradian, Emma LaPointe and Ava Widener.

JASMINE CREIGHTON News Editor

OPINION

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 35

witness the best in the business, whether that be journalists, broadcasters, photographers, or videographers in their element and hopefully envision my future.

We went into the Arizona locker room post-game, where I got the opportunity to talk to Motiejus Krivas, Addison Arnold, Tobe Awaka and Sven Djopmo. I learned so much from asking them some

simple questions, but also got to observe all these national and local media outlets, which was a great experience.

While we were at the tournament, I also noticed so many strong women who were with the media. It was refreshing and inspiring to see all these hard working women in this space that is historically male-dominated.

The Wildcat pride and camaraderie

in Indianapolis were extremely apparent. We often wore Arizona memorabilia and greeted fellow fans with “bear down.” It showcased the strong support of the Arizona fan base, who traveled to back the Cats. The city buzzed with excitement, reflecting how special it was to be there.

As someone who wants to work in this field in the future, I felt so lucky to be able to have this opportunity

and experience that gave me a taste of what is hopefully to come if I continue working hard. I’m always so proud to be a Wildcat and I felt honored to represent at the Final Four. Bear down!

THE DAILY WILDCAT

UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA STUDENT MEDIA from left to right, Charlie Ramirez, Mason Kumet, Jasmine Creighton, and Emma LaPointe stand on the national championship basketball court after the University of Michigan won.

CHARLIE RAMIREZ

SPORTS

How a seemingly invincible Arizona team was conquered by the University of Michigan

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” That’s what Charles Dickens wrote when he described the contrast between lifestyles during the French Revolution era. Dickens also included the terms “spring of hope” and “winter of despair,” though for Arizona, a more fitting phrase would be “winter of hope, and spring of despair.”

How could Arizona have been anything other than hopeful this winter? In the months of November through March, while outdoor vegetation went dormant, Arizona’s play and championship hopes came to life.

On multiple accounts, Arizona had a historic season. The Wildcats had their longest winning streak in program history after starting the season 23-0. After dropping two straight, Arizona won 13 consecutive games, including a Big 12 tournament title and an Elite 8 victory over Purdue. Those 36 wins were the most in a single season in program history. Over time, the Wildcats began to look unbeatable. A week after beating Purdue University 79-64 in the West Regional Final, Arizona was set to take on the University of Michigan, another BIG 10 stalwart. However, the Wolverines hardly resembled Purdue once the game broke out. In fact, what took place inside Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday night was entirely unusual. The Wildcats were methodically and systematically dismantled over 40 minutes. From the game’s onset to its conclusion, Michigan was in firm control. Then the “spring of despair”

loomed in. Whatever pregame optimism that existed was soon extinguished. Michigan led 10-1 two and a half minutes into the game – by halftime, their lead was 48-32. For an Arizona team that lost two games by a total of 7 points all year, trailing by double digits early on was certainly unexpected.

“We got down a little bit, and we’ve been down a few times this year, but not like that,” Wildcats head coach Tommy Lloyd said. “Just probably got a little panicky and weren’t able to settle back in.”

Defensively, Michigan dominated Arizona in the first half. In just 20 minutes of play, the Wildcats turned the ball over nine times and made just 37.5% of their field goal attempts. The Wolverines flourished in transition, scoring 12 points off turnovers.

“They just did a great job being in the gaps, they were kind of mixing up their [coverage], whether they’re going over and under ball screens…we didn’t

do a great job adjusting the level of our screen,” Tommy Lloyd said. “We weren’t getting the edge and then we had a few guys over-penetrated.”

Additionally, Senior point guard Jaden Bradley spent appreciable time on the bench in the first half because of the three fouls he committed. Without Bradley on the floor, an already uneasy Arizona team struggled to settle down. In the first half, Arizona’s freshman accounted for five of the team’s nine turnovers.

Amazingly, Michigan roared out of the tunnel to start the second half.

Halfway through the second half the Wolverines took a 30-point lead, 7747.Under Tommy Lloyd, Arizona had never trailed by 30 points.

Arizona’s reluctance to shoot the three-pointer certainly did not help against Michigan. The Wolverines attempted 10 more three-pointers, but made 12, doubling the Wildcats six made three-pointers. Michigan Freshman guard Trey McKenney was

sharp from downtown, connecting on 4 of 6 three-pointers.

The most striking contrast was the quality of looks being generated by each team. Michigan was earning high-percentage shots often and made 48% of their field goal attempts. On the shots that did not fall, the Wolverines were able to muster 19 second chance points.

The Wildcats are usually able to protect the rim. This comes down to limiting offensive rebounds and slowing the opposing big. In addition to the countless putbacks by Michigan, their Junior center Aday Mara had 26 points and nine rebounds.

Arizona’s identity for the entire season had been to dominate the inside, protect the rim and get out in transition. Physically, the matchup against Michigan was going to test this identity, and ultimately, the Wolverines ruled the paint.

“I think we just came out and we played a team that was really well built,” Tommy Lloyd said. “They were able to take control of the game…they were…surgical.”

Arizona experienced how narrow the margin is between domination and being dominated. For the vast majority of five months, Arizona ruled over their opponents – it was “the best of times.”

After one game, optimism turned to heartbreak and championship turned to “maybe next season.” The locker room was despondent. The reality of a team that will not be together again, coupled with the loss of something that felt very attainable, had begun to set in – it was “the worst of times.”

DAVID MOORADIAN KAMP Student Radio

CHARLIE RAMIREZ | THE DAILY WILDCAT

KOA PEAT LOOKS ON in shock following a loss to Michigan in Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on April 4.

Arizona men’s basketball closes out their historic season

AVA WIDENER Sports Editor in Chief

The University of Arizona men’s basketball team closes out their historic season after losing to the University of Michigan in the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats had a tremendous season, breaking program records and earning several different recognitions and awards.

Over the course of the season, the Wildcats dominated with a 36-3 run, breaking the program record for most wins in program history. Previously, this record was 35 wins during the 1987-98 season.

Many of Arizona’s players were recognized for their outstanding work during the season. Notably, senior Jaden Bradley was named Big 12 Player of the Year. Freshman Koa Peat and Bradley were selected to the West All-Region team. Peat also earned the Most Outstanding Player across the western regionals. Another notable recognition was Bradley and freshman Brayden Burries earning All-American honors.

Head coach Tommy Lloyd also received lots of well deserved praise for the way he led this team. He was named Big 12 Coach of the Year and Naismith Coach of the Year. After much discourse during the coaching carousel and the possible coaching job at the University of North Carolina, Lloyd recently agreed to a five-year contract extension with Arizona.

Regular Season Dominance

Right off the bat, the Wildcats showed promise in their team. The Red-Blue showcase was a great introduction to the team and demonstration of their talent for this upcoming season. As many predicted, they dominated in the preseason matchups against Saint Mary’s College and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, blowing both teams out of the water.

Arizona continued to exert this dominance in their non-conference start to the season in November against tougher opponents. Their first competition was against the reigning NCAA Champions, No. 3 University of Florida, in Las Vegas. The Wildcats took the win 93-87, which was just the start of what was to come. Koa Peat made his college debut with a bang and proved he was a force to reckon with. Peat recorded 30 points on his debut, which also turned out to be his career high. When Arizona took the win against Florida, this was eye opening for a lot of people about the promise and talent that this team had to offer. They had a close call against UCLA about two weeks later, taking the victory by a mere 4 points, 6965.Arizona jumped significantly in the rankings since playing Utah Tech, where they were ranked No. 13, to taking the No. 5 spot. They only continued to climb in the AP

rankings, inching up one position at a time. They were ranked No. 4 when they took the victory against No. 3 University of Connecticut, who won the national championship back in 2024. This win was just five days after they beat UCLA.

The Wildcats jumped right past the No. 3 spot after the UConn victory to the No. 2 spot as they took on the University of Denver, Norfolk State University and No. 20 Auburn University at home. After these three games, the Wildcats hit double digits and were holding a 10-0 record.

Christmas came early for the Wildcats as they grabbed the No. 1 spot in the AP polls in early December before playing No. 12 University of Alabama. Arizona held the No. 1 spot for nine consecutive weeks, which broke the program record that was previously held at eight weeks. They closed out their 2025 by adding four more victories to their roster, along

with that No. 1 position.

After a notable regular season run, the Wildcats established themselves as a force to be reckoned with. They became the first team in AP Poll history to beat five ranked teams in their first nine games.

Undefeated Conference Run

The Wildcats began their new year and conference season on the road as they took their first Big 12 victory, 97-78, against the University of Utah. The following Wednesday, the Wildcats returned home for their first conference game in the McKale Center to face another team of Wildcats, Kansas State University. They blew them out of the water, taking a 101-76 victory. Throughout the course of the season, Arizona had 17 wins where they took the victory by 20+ points.

They continued asserting their dominance on both their home court and on the road. The first rivalry game of the season against ASU was a close one, but Arizona came out unscathed taking an 89-82 win. The Wildcats picked up three more wins against the University of Central Florida, the University of Cincinnati and West Virginia University before heading back to Utah to take on No. 13 BYU.

This was a close victory with the Wildcats beating the Cougars 86-83. The Arizona freshmen met their match with BYU freshman AJ Dybantsa, who was a contender for the No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft, but still is uncertain if he will enter the portal this season. Dybantsa recorded 24 points for the Cougars while Burries lead the Wildcats with 29. The Wildcats pulled through with a late rally to take the victory and remain undefeated in their season.

The Wildcats closed out January with another win against the school up north but this time in enemy territory. Following their game

MASON KUMET | THE DAILY WILDCAT

TOMMY LLOYD CUTS DOWN the net as Arizona advances to the Final Four with a victory against Purdue University on March 28 in SAP Center.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 40

against ASU, Arizona took a victory against Oklahoma State University at home. This marked the Wildcats’ 23rd win, which was an Arizona program record, as well as achieving the best start in Big 12 history. Arizona and the University of Miami Ohio were the remaining undefeated teams at this point in the season.

Looking forward to their next game, they were taking on No. 9 University of Kansas on their home court. The Jayhawks handed Arizona their first loss of the season in a hard fight. Kansas was able to maintain their perfect home record on Big Monday, going 39-0 under head coach Bill Self. Going into this game, Arizona knew it would be a tough one as Kansas had home court advantage, but they also possess dominant freshman and veteran players. They were led by Flory Bidunga and Melvin Council Jr., who each collected 23 points.

After this loss on Monday, Arizona looked forward to their next home game against No. 16 Texas Tech University on Valentine’s Day. Not only was it a special day because it was Valentine’s Day, but it was also ESPN’s College Gameday, where 14,688 fans sold out the McKale Center to watch this nationally televised spotlight on the Wildcats.

This was the fifth time that Arizona has been the host, with the last time being in 2022. It was also the first time that a game was played in the new McKale Center at ALKEME Arena after the announcement of a 15-year naming rights partnership between Arizona Athletics and ALKEME Insurance. During this game, Arizona also honored former Wildcat guard Caleb Love who was welcomed into the Ring of Honor with a ceremony at halftime.

The Texas Tech game was a nailbiter, with the lead changing 11 times and having 11 ties. The game eventually went into overtime after Ivan Kharchenkov shot late free throws, but unfortunately the

Red Raiders were too strong and took the win 78-75. JT Toppin collected 31 points and 13 rebounds while Christian Anderson recorded 19 points and six 3-pointers for Texas Tech. Arizona fought until the end and put up a good fight with both Burries and Tobe Awaka scoring in double figures.

Because of these two back-toback losses, Arizona took a fall in the AP rankings from No. 1 for nine consecutive weeks to No. 4 as they prepared to take on No. 23 BYU for the second time this season.

Arizona managed to get back in the winning column to close out the rest of their season taking on some familiar faces like BYU and No. 14 Kansas for the second time this season, as well as new ones. They took victories against No. 2 University of Houston, Baylor University, No. 6 Iowa State University and University of Colorado, Boulder to round out the season. They managed to get redemption against Kansas and avenge their first loss of the season with a 20+ point victory margin 84-61 at

home.

They secured the Big 12 regularseason title and earned the No. 1 seed heading into the Big 12 Tournament.

Big 12 Champions

After the Wildcats closed out their conference season against Boulder with another victory, they looked towards the Phillips 66 Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City. Arizona was the No. 1 seed and automatically advanced to the quarterfinals, where they took on No. 8 seed UCF. It was a clean sweep victory 81-59 to advance to the semifinals.

In the semifinals, they faced No. 5 seed Iowa State for the second time this season. Bradley cemented his name as the Big 12 Player of the Year after shooting a 3-pointer buzzerbeater to win the game and send Arizona to the finals. The Wildcats won 82-80 in a crazy finale.

Arizona faced No. 2 seed Houston in the finals of the Big 12 Tournament before stamping their ticket to the NCAA Tournament after a close

win 79-74. This was the first time that Arizona has won the Big 12 Championship title since joining the conference back in 2024.

March Madness

Because of their pure dominance throughout the season and the Big 12 Tournament, Arizona was the No. 1 seed in the western region for the NCAA Tournament. All of Tucson buzzed with excitement over the start of the tournament, and most people made their brackets with Arizona taking the victory at the end of it all.

They headed down to San Diego for the first round of the tournament, where they played against No. 16 seed Long Island University. They took their first victory of the tournament with over a 30-point margin.

Later that weekend, Arizona advanced to play No. 9 seed Utah State University to finish out their weekend in San Diego. This was another victory to add to Arizona’s roster with the Wildcats’ winning 78-66.

Arizona returned home to Tucson, where they were greeted by loving fans showing their support upon their arrival to McKale Center at ALKEME Arena. They had a quick turnaround, though, as they were headed up to San Jose for the second round of the tournament. That Thursday, they took on No. 4 seed University of Arkansas in the Sweet 16.

In this matchup, Arizona showed strong offense with both Burries and Peat scoring 21 points, Kharchenkov scoring 15 and Bradley, Awaka and Motiejus Krivas tallying 14 points each. The Wildcats advanced to the Elite Eight after a 109-88 victory over Arkansas. This was their first appearance in the Elite Eight since 2015.

EVELYN FLEMING | THE DAILY WILDCAT THE WILDCATS CELEBRATE WITH coach Tommy Lloyd after winning the Elite Eight round of March Madness and West Coach Regional Champions over the Purdue University Boilermakers, on March 28 in SAP Center in San Jose, California sending them to the Final Four in Indianapolis.

SPORTS

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 41

The Elite Eight matchup was against No. 2 seed Purdue University. Arizona got off to a slow start, letting Purdue take the lead for the majority of the first half and going into halftime. The Wildcats made a strong comeback in the second half to come out with the 7964 victory taking them to the Final

Four for the first time since 2001.

Arizona was heading to Indianapolis for the Final Four where they were set to play the No. 1 midwestern seed University of Michigan. Arizona fans migrated to the midwest to support their Wildcats as they ended the 25 year drought since they had played in the Final Four. Unfortunately, this game

did not go as the Wildcats had hoped. They were unable to find their rhythm against Michigan’s tough defensive strategy with their strong offense and high shooting percentage.

Arizona fell to Michigan 91-73 in the Final Four round of the NCAA Tournament. Though they did not win it all after a very tough game, this does

not diminish everything this team has done this season and everything they have done for the Arizona basketball program. This team will stand as one of the greats and did the Arizona and Tucson community proud on the national stage.

MASON KUMET | THE DAILY WILDCAT

ARIZONA HOISTS THE BIG 12 Conference Championship trophy after beating Iowa State on Mar. 2 in McKale Center.

The Final Four from Tucson

M’S

AIDAN GRAVELLE | DAILY WILDCAT

AN ARIZONA FAN IS detained by police on University Boulevard during the Wildcats Final Four game against Michigan on April 4.

EVELYN FLEMING | DAILY WILDCAT

AN FAN WATCHESTHE Arizona Michigan Final Four matchup in disappointment as Arizona loses by 18 on April 4.

EVELYN FLEMING | DAILY WILDCAT

ON CAMPUS ARE covered up with red tape, a tradition done by Ohio State students as part of their rivalry, on April 3 before Arizona’s matchup with Michigan in the Final Four.

TATUM NEZ | DAILY WILDCAT DESPITE THE $50 COVER charge students line up to watch Arizona’s first Final Four game in 25 years at No Anchovies on University Boulevard on April 4.

EMMA LAPOINTE | DAILY WILDCAT FANS GATHER OUTSIDE MCKALE Center at ALKEME Arena to welcome back the University of Arizona men’s basketball team as they return from San Jose, Calif. Police presence blocked off the road where the travel bus would be arriving.

MULTIMEDIA

Season Recap

EVELYN FLEMING | DAILY WILDCAT

COACH TOMMY LLOYD AND Athletic trainer Justin Kokoskie slap the Arizona sign onto the March Madness bracket, signaling their advance to the Final Four in SAP Center on March 28 in San Jose.

MASON KUMET | DAILY WILDCAT

TOBE AWAKA SLAM DUNKS the ball against San Diego State on Dec. 20 in Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix.

CHARLIE RAMIREZ | DAILY WILDCAT FANS RISE TO THEIR feet for team introductions at McKale Center in ALKEME Arena on Feb. 28.

TATUM NEZ | DAILY WILDCAT

TOBE AWAKA SLAMS THE ball home against Arkansas in the Sweet Sixteen on March 26 in SAP Center in San Jose.

MASON KUMET | DAILY WILDCAT

TOBE AWAKA GOES UP to the basket against Denver on Nov. 24 in McKale Center.

MASON KUMET | DAILY WILDCAT

IVAN KHARCHENKOV DIVES TO save a loose ball against Bethune Cookman on Dec. 22 in McKale Center.

MULTIMEDIA

MULTIMEDIA

Season Recap

CHARLIE RAMIREZ | DAILY WILDCAT

TYLER BILODEAU (34) DRAWS draws a charge foul on Brayden Burries in the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles on Nov. 14.

MASON KUMET | DAILY WILDCAT

KOA PEAT PUTS UP a jump shot against Purdue in the Elite Eight in SAP Center in San Jose on March 28.

CHARLIE RAMIREZ | DAILY WILDCAT

KOA PEAT CELEBRATES BACK to back dunks against Florida in T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Nov. 3.

CHARLIE RAMIREZ | DAILY WILDCAT

TOBE AWAKA WARMS UP in the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles shortly before playing UCLA on Nov. 14.

CHARLIE RAMIREZ | DAILY WILDCAT

FANS CELEBRATE A MADE three by Dwayne Aristode against Iowa State at McKale Center in ALKEME Arena on March 2.

MASON KUMET | DAILY WILDCAT

MOTIEJUS KRIVAS THROWS UP a shot against Kansas on Feb. 28 in McKale Center.

SWIMMERS

take care of each other, or have a laugh at some of our newest comics! No matter how you tend to your offers some support or solace during this time

5:55AM

By Tristan Gegantoca