Arizona men's basketball team gets warm welcome home from Tucson community

Despite the Wildcats’ NCAA tourney bid coming to a close early on Saturday night after falling to No. 1 Michigan, 91-73, in the Final Four in Indianapolis, the fans were in good spirits.

Tucsonans of all ages braved the heat to show their appreciation and love for the team that advanced to the Final Four for the first time in 25 years.

Arizona junior Daniel McDonald watched the game with friends at a packed Agave House on University Boulevard Saturday night. But by the time the game reached halftime, he opted for a change in scenery and finished the game at a friend’s apartment in hopes that the Wildcats could turn it around, too.

Although the Wildcats couldn’t pull off the feat against the Wolverines, McDonald still wanted to thank the team for an unforgettable season.

McDonald, rocking a Jaden Bradley jersey, showed up around 10:30 a.m. to get a front spot along the barricade.

“I’m just happy we got a good season,” he said. “Didn't go exactly how we wanted. I thought this was the year, but there's still hope for 2027. I'm just excited to show my appreciation to the Wildcats.”

While waiting for the Wildcats to return to McKale Center, he stood next to Jose Perez, a lifelong Arizona fan who was looking to see this Wildcats team one last time and complete his team autograph collection with Tommy Lloyd and Bryce James autographs on a basketball filled with signatures. Spoiler alert: He managed to complete his autograph collection.

“It wasn’t the outcome we wanted, but they balled out this season,” Perez said. “In the tournament, they balled out. No one expected us to go this far with as many freshmen as we had. But they just totally balled out this season. And we love our Wildcats.”

The two didn’t know each other, but engaged in conversation while they waited.

On the other side of the barricade was Tucsonan Beth Cole, who graduated from the university in 1997, the same year the Wildcats took home the national championship. She was out at McKale Center to show her love for the Final Four team.

“It’s a big thing for the city of Tucson, for the university,” she said. “It’s not a celebration like a national championship, but we should still be really happy and really proud and rally behind the team and coaching.

“They’ll be back,” she added.

The return of the Wildcats was a family affair for many Tucsonans, who showed up and showed out with kids in tow.

The Brown family, consisting of Devon and Chelsie, who are Arizona alums, and their two young sons, arrived around 11:30 a.m. to wait for the Wildcats. They held “welcome back” and “thank you” signs along the barricade for their favorite team and players.

Their sons also participate in Arizona’s youth basketball camps.

“We’re diehard Arizona fans,” Devon Brown said. “We were students years ago … and our kids, they scream ‘Bear Down,’ and they’re already choosing to come to the U of A when it’s their turn. Our circle of friends, our family, we’re all U of A alums.

“It’s bigger than just sports. It’s a cultural experience that we like to talk about and share.”