USA Daily
Establishment: The Arizona Wildcats men's basketball program was established in 1904
The McKale Center, the team's home arena, is named after J.F. "Pop" McKale, a former athletic director at the university
Lute Olson Era
Under the coaching of Hall of Famer Lute Olson, the Wildcats experienced significant success, including 25 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances from 1985 to 2009
The Wildcats' victory in the 1997 NCAA Championship game was led by players like Mike Bibby, Miles Simon, and Michael Dickerson. They were considered underdogs but emerged victorious, marking a historic moment for the program.
"Bear Down" is the university's motto and serves as an inspiration for the team. It originated from a message given by John "Button" Salmon, a football player, to his teammates before he passed away. The phrase symbolizes strength, perseverance, and determination
Notable Players: The Arizona Wildcats have produced many notable NBA players, including Steve Kerr, Richard Jefferson, Andre Iguodala, Derrick Williams, and Deandre Ayton, among others
The change
The Arizona Wildcats men's basketball program has continuously been a national competitor, with a large fan base and a winning tradition.
Arizona State University (ASU) and the Wildcats are fierce rivals, particularly when it comes to in-state competition. The Pac-12 is known for its intense competition, which is heightened by the highly anticipated Wildcats vs. Sun Devils games.