This alum would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the passing of the streak. With its loss to UCLA today, the Arizona Wildcats ended their run of 25 consecutive trips to the NCAA tournament. They ended the season at 16-15 and stand no chance of an at-large bid.
Arizona had been there every year beginning in 1985 — twelve times to the Sweet 16 or better, four times to the Final Four — and the national championship in 1997.
Twice to the championship game. One and one.
Arizona went to the “Big Dance” every year since they started the 64 (now 65) team field — until now. Next year it will be 96 teams.
Luuuuuuuute.
I was in Tucson in ’97. I remember the entire town pouring into their neighborhood streets… I remember running outside and all of us neighbors were suddenly… neighbors and hugging each other and laughing and whooping it up! Then we drove down to UofA and honked our horn… yelled… high-fived… and then we went home and watched the numbskulls break out into a riot and start burning things. It was great.
I love Lute Olson. Did several books signings and children’s storytimes with him at B&N on Broadway (was my store for almost 7 years then I moved to Chicago.)
Love him. Was so sad when Bobby died…
*sigh*
Ah….The good ol’ days!