Photos: Third-seeded Arizona Wildcats thump No. 14-seed Stony Brook in first round of NCAA Tournament
Frames from Arizona's 35-point victory over Stony Brook in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in San Antonio.
NCAA Stony Brook Arizona Basketball
Arizona forward Trinity Baptiste, back, pressures Stony Brook guard Asiah Dingle during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the women's NCAA tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Monday, March 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
NCAA Stony Brook Arizona Basketball
Arizona forward Sam Thomas (14) looks to pass under pressure from Stony Brook guard Earlette Scott (2) during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the women's NCAA tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Monday, March 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
NCAA Stony Brook Arizona Basketball
Arizona forward Cate Reese (25) tries to block a shot by Stony Brook forward Leighah-Amori Wool (32) during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the women's NCAA tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Monday, March 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
NCAA Stony Brook Arizona Basketball
Arizona forward Cate Reese (25) gets past Stony Brook forward Leighah-Amori Wool (32) to put up a shot during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the women's NCAA tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Monday, March 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
NCAA Stony Brook Arizona Basketball
Arizona forward Cate Reese (25) gets past Stony Brook forward Leighah-Amori Wool (32) to put up a shot during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the women's NCAA tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Monday, March 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
NCAA Stony Brook Arizona Basketball
Arizona forward Lauren Ware (32) Celebrates with teammates after making a basket during the first half of a college basketball game against Stony Brook in the first round of the women's NCAA tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Monday, March 22, 2021. (AP/Photo/Charlie Riedel)
NCAA Stony Brook Arizona Basketball
Stony Brook guard Hailey Zeise, right, shoots under pressure from Arizona forward Trinity Baptiste (0) during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the women's NCAA tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Monday, March 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
NCAA Stony Brook Arizona Basketball
Stony Brook guard Hailey Zeise, left, knocks the ball away from Arizona forward Trinity Baptiste (0) during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the women's NCAA tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Monday, March 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
NCAA Stony Brook Arizona Basketball
Arizona forward Sam Thomas, back, pressures Stony Brook forward Nairimar Vargas-Reyes during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the women's NCAA tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Monday, March 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
NCAA Stony Brook Arizona Basketball
Arizona forward Cate Reese (25) battles Stony Brook forward McKenzie Bushee (22) and guard Hailey Zeise (24) for a rebound during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the women's NCAA tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Monday, March 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
NCAA Stony Brook Arizona Basketball
Arizona guard Aari McDonald celebrates after making a basket during the first half of a college basketball game against Stony Brook in the first round of the women's NCAA tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Monday, March 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
NCAA Stony Brook Arizona Basketball
Stony Brook guard Asiah Dingle drives during the first half of a college basketball game against Arizona in the first round of the women's NCAA tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Monday, March 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
NCAA Stony Brook Arizona Basketball
Arizona forward Cate Reese (25) tries to steal the ball from Stony Brook forward Leighah-Amori Wool (32) during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the women's NCAA tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Monday, March 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
NCAA Stony Brook Arizona Basketball
Arizona center Semaj Smith (34) puts up a shot under pressure from Stony Brook forward McKenzie Bushee (22) during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the women's NCAA tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Monday, March 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
NCAA Stony Brook Arizona Basketball
Arizona forward Cate Reese, front, is pressured by Stony Brook guard Hailey Zeise celebrates after making a shot during the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the women's NCAA tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Monday, March 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
NCAA Stony Brook Arizona Basketball
Arizona forward Cate Reese celebrates after making a shot during the first half of a college basketball game against Stony Brook in the first round of the women's NCAA tournament at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Monday, March 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
UA advances to play BYU in Wednesday's second round.
The fourth in a five-part preview of the UA’s first spring practice session under new coach Jedd Fisch and his staff.
“This is what we waited for, a year later, and we're finally here. It’s just crazy to think we'd be here. But definitely, I'm excited. I'm just ready to play, honestly.”
The Pac-12’s NCAA Tournament success is actually rooted in many factors, some of which go all the way back to the start of preseason preparations last July, during the initial phases of the COVID-19 pandemic.