Arizona Wildcats men's basketball

Arizona Wildcats men's basketball
2021–22 Arizona Wildcats men's basketball team
University	University of Arizona
All-time record	1,875–968–1 (.659)[1]
Athletic director	Dave Heeke
Head coach	Tommy Lloyd (1st season)
Conference	Pac-12
Location	Tucson, Arizona
Arena	McKale Center (Capacity: 14,644)
Nickname	Wildcats
Colors	Cardinal and navy[2]
Uniforms
Home Away Alternate
NCAA Tournament Champions
1997
NCAA Tournament Runner-up
2001
NCAA Tournament Final Four
1988, 1994, 1997, 2001
NCAA Tournament Elite Eight
1976, 1988, 1994, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2011, 2014, 2015
NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen
1951, 1976, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017
NCAA Tournament Round of 32
1976, 1977, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017
NCAA Tournament Appearances
1951, 1976, 1977, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999*, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008*, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 *vacated by NCAA[3]
Conference tournament champions
Pac-10/12 1988, 1989, 1990, 2002, 2015, 2017, 2018
Conference regular season champions
BIAA 1932, 1936, 1940, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1953 WAC 1976 Pac-10/12 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018

The Arizona Wildcats men's basketball team is the intercollegiate men's basketball program representing the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. They compete in the Pac-12 Conference of NCAA Division I and is currently coached by Tommy Lloyd.

Arizona has a long and rich basketball history. The program came to national prominence under the tutelage of former head coach Lute Olson (1983–2007), who established the program as among America's elite in college basketball. One writer referred to U of A as "Point Guard U"^[4] because the school has produced successful guards like Steve Kerr, Damon Stoudamire, Khalid Reeves, Mike Bibby, Jason Terry, Gilbert Arenas, Jason Gardner, Jerryd Bayless, and T. J. McConnell, among others.

From 1985 to 2009, the Arizona basketball team reached the NCAA Division I Tournament for 25 consecutive years, two years shy of North Carolina's record with 27.^[5][6][7] Despite having their 1999 and 2008 appearances later vacated by the NCAA, the media still cites Arizona's streak, and simply notes the changes.^[8][9] The Wildcats have reached the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament on four occasions (1988, 1994, 1997, and 2001). They have also made two appearances in the National Championship (won over Kentucky Wildcats in 1997, lost to Duke Blue Devils in 2001). In Pac-10 play, former head coach Lute Olson currently holds the record for most wins as a Pac-10 coach with 327.^[10] In addition, the team has won 16 Pac-10/12 regular season championship titles and seven Pac-10/12 tournament championship titles.^[10] Arizona also holds the distinction of recording five out of the seven 17–1 Pac-10 seasons (one-loss seasons).^[10] No team has gone undefeated since the formation of the Pac-10/12.

Arizona ranks 11th all-time heading into the 2021–22 season with 1,851 wins and ranks 8th by winning percentage at (.657).^[11] Arizona has spent 37 weeks at No. 1 in the AP Poll, which is tied for eighth-most all-time; 25 weeks at No. 2, tied for 13th all-time; 154 weeks in the Top 5, seventh all-time; 309 weeks in the Top 10, sixth all-time; and 563 weeks in the top 25, eighth all-time.^[12]

History[]

Early years (1904–1925)[]

The University of Arizona fielded its first men's basketball team in 1904–05. Orin Albert Kates coached the team and drew opponents from local YMCAs. The first game Arizona played ended in a 40–32 victory over the Morenci YMCA.^[13]

In 1914, Arizona's first famous coach, James Fred "Pop" McKale was lured away from a teaching and coaching job at Tucson High School to take over as Athletic Director and coach basketball, football, baseball and track.^[13] McKale took things to a new level, posting a 9–0 record his first season as a basketball coach.^[13] Moreover, McKale elevated the program to intercollegiate play.^[13] While basketball was his least favorite of the many sports he coached while at U of A, he chalked up three undefeated seasons and a career-winning average of .803, which has never been bested by a U of A coach who has held the post for at least three years.^[13] The McKale Memorial Center, the main arena for Arizona basketball, is named in his honor.^[13]

Fred Enke era[]

From 1925 to 1961, the program was under the stewardship of Fred Enke, U of A's longest-tenured coach.^[14] Coach Fred A. Enke was responsible for the early successes of Wildcat basketball. Enke amassed 509 wins in his tenure on the U of A sidelines and still ranks as the second-winningest coach in school history, winning more than 60 percent of his games. Enke also led the Cats to the first four postseason appearances (3 N.I.T./1 NCAA) in school history and in 1950–51 competed in both the N.I.T. and NCAA postseason tournaments. Finally, he was the first coach to lead Arizona to a national ranking. Two of his teams (1950, 1951) finished the season ranked in the top 15.^[14]

Under Enke, U of A competed in the now-defunct Border Conference. Under Enke's direction, Arizona won 12 conference championships, including a span in which the Cats won or shared seven consecutive Border Conference titles (1942–51). No Border Conference team won as many league games (231) or overall contests (398) during its membership.^[14] In 1962, Arizona joined the Western Athletic Conference as a founding member after the Border Conference disbanded.^[14]

Bruce Larson era[]

Bruce Larson, a player and assistant under Enke before coaching at Eastern Arizona and Weber State, coached the Wildcats from 1961 to 1971, leading the school to a 136–148 record. Under his tenure, major planning began for a larger and more modern basketball arena (which would become McKale Center) to replace the outdated Bear Down Gymnasium. Larson would later serve as an analyst on Wildcat football and basketball telecasts during the Lute Olson (and Dick Tomey) era.^[15]

Fred Snowden era[]

In 1972, Fred Snowden was hired as the head basketball coach, making Arizona the second Division I school and the first major program to hire an African American head coach.^[16][17] Known as "The Fox", Snowden brought the excitement back to Wildcat basketball during his 10 years on the Arizona sideline, averaging more than 80 points per game in six of his 10 years and topping the 100-point barrier 27 times.^[14] Snowden led Arizona to the NCAA tournament twice, in 1976 and 1977, getting as far as the Elite Eight in 1976 before losing to UCLA 82–66, a game after defeating UNLV in a Sweet Sixteen matchup. During the 1976 tournament, he also logged Arizona's first and only tournament wins until Lute Olson's hiring, beating John Thompson's Georgetown team 83–76. Snowden's 1976 team also won the school's only WAC championship title on a buzzer-beater by Gilbert Myles verses New Mexico, with the help of the spectacular play of Bob Elliott, Jim Rappis, and Al Fleming. In 1978, Coach Snowden helped transition the basketball program over to the newly formed Pac-10. Snowden could not sustain success in the Pac-10, however, finishing no higher than 4th place in the conference. His 9–18 final season led U of A to look for a replacement.^[13]

Known for his high-octane offense and remembered as a trailblazer, Fred "The Fox" Snowden brought excitement to Arizona basketball during his 10-year tenure as the program's head coach. Snowden, who led the Wildcats from 1972 to 1982, was the first African-American head basketball coach at an NCAA Division I institution, amassing a 167–108 mark. The 1973 Western Athletic Conference Coach of the Year, his career winning percentage of .607 has been topped by only three U of A coaches since 1924. Nicknamed "The Fox" due to his cool demeanor, Snowden led Arizona to three postseason berths, including the 1975 National Commissioners’ Invitational Tournament and the 1976 and 1977 NCAA Tournaments. His best season came in 1976, when the Wildcats went 24–9, won the Western Athletic Conference championship and advanced to the NCAA West Regional Final. The Brewton, Ala., native was the head coach who led Arizona into the Pac-10 in the 1978–79 season, guiding the program for its first four seasons in the Conference. Snowden also oversaw the transition into the McKale Center after its opening in 1973. He was inducted into the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame in 1988. Prior to his role at Arizona, Snowden was an assistant coach at Michigan. He also served on the coaching staff of his high school, Northwestern High School in Detroit, Mich., where he coached for five years after attending Wayne State University from 1954 to 1958. Snowden died in 1994 at the age of 57.

Athletic Director Dave Strack brought in Ben Lindsey to replace Fred Snowden in 1983, and on the surface, it seemed like a reasonable move. Lindsey had junior college expertise, having had a successful career at Grand Canyon University, where he won two national titles. What resulted, however, was nothing short of disaster. The 1983 team finished with the worst season in school history at 4–24, with only one Pac-10 win.^[13]

Lute Olson era[]

Early years[]

Newly hired U of A Athletic director Cedric Dempsey fired Lindsey after only one season and hired University of Iowa coach Lute Olson as his successor. U of A needed a coach with a history of quickly turning around programs, which Olson had done previously at Iowa. "I knew we had a tremendous amount of work to do", Olson recalled in a recent interview with Tucson Lifestyle. "The program was in shambles at that point, after the terrible year before..."^[13]

Under Olson, Arizona quickly rose to national prominence. Arizona won its first Pac-10 title in 1986, only three years after his arrival.^[13] That season set up an amazing 1987–88 season, which included taking the Great Alaska Shootout championship, the Valley Bank Fiesta Bowl Classic championship and the Pac-10 championship.^[13] Under players Steve Kerr, Kenny Lofton and Sean Elliott, Arizona spent much of the season ranked No. 1 and made their first (and Olson's second) Final Four.^[13] While Arizona lost in the Final Four round, their play put the program on the map and launched Arizona's reign as a perennial Pac-10 and NCAA tournament contender. Sean Elliott was awarded the John R. Wooden Award on the season and would set the PAC-10 scoring record.^[13]

In 1997, Arizona defeated the University of Kentucky, the defending national champions, to win the NCAA National Championship. Prior to winning the championship in 1997, Arizona stormed back from 10-point deficits in the Southeast Regional First Round and Second Round against #13 South Alabama and #12 College of Charleston, respectively winning 65–57 and 73–69. The Southeast Regional Semifinal pitted against overall #1 Kansas (34–1) which had defeated Arizona the year before in the 1996 West Regional Semifinal. However, Arizona came out fast and stunned the Jayhawks 85–82, then prevailed in overtime against Providence 96–92 in the Elite Eight to clinch a berth in the Final Four. Arizona then beat #1 seed North Carolina 66–58 in the Final Four, which turned out to be Dean Smith's last game as a coach. Arizona also accomplished the unprecedented feat of beating three number one seeds in the 1997 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament. This feat has never been accomplished by another team.

The year following the Championship season, 1998, Arizona returned all 5 starters (Mike Bibby, Michael Dickerson, Miles Simon, Bennett Davison, and A. J. Bramlett^[18]) and were poised to make another run after receiving the #1 overall seed in the West, but were upset by Utah in the Elite 8.

In 1999, all 5 starters were lost to graduation or early entry to the NBA draft and Arizona's hopes of continuing its streak of consecutive trips to the NCAA tournament was in jeopardy until senior point guard Jason Terry (the 6th man the previous two seasons) elevated his game (receiving National Player of the Year honors) and continued the school's amazing streak.

1999 NCAA sanctions under Olson[]

In 2000, former Wildcat Jason Terry, stated that he received approximately $4,500 in cash, checks and wire transfers from New York sports agent Larry Fox, after his junior season.^[19] The NCAA announced that as a result a one-game 1999 NCAA tournament appearance was formally vacated. In addition, Arizona asked Terry to repay the $45,363 in forfeited NCAA 1999 tournament revenue and banned him from the U of A Sports Hall of Fame, including a provision that his jersey would not be retired.^[20] Terry's jersey was later retired in 2015.^[20]

Later years[]

2001 was one of the most challenging and rewarding years for the program. Lute Olson's wife Bobbi, well known to players and fans alike as a steadfast presence on the sidelines, lost her battle with cancer. The team, which had been a preseason pick by many to win the national title had to play without Olson for three weeks while Olson was on bereavement leave. The Cats vowed to dedicate their season to Bobbi. With guard Jason Gardner, center Loren Woods and forward Michael Wright — each an All-American — leading the way, the Cats trounced their opponents, beating Oregon 104–65, devastating USC 105–61, and charging through the Final Four. They took down Eastern Illinois, Butler, Mississippi, Illinois, and Michigan State, only to be stopped by Duke in the title game. While being considered the favorite to win the title, which would have been Coach Olson's 2nd and tied him with Coach Mike Krzyzewski, his opponent, the Blue Devils claimed a ten-point victory in the game. This is the last game Coach Olson ever coached in the Final Four and is considered by fans of the program to be his most bitter defeat. A championship would have vaulted him into hallowed ground among coaches, being one of few with multiple titles. Instead he remains tied with many coaches who have a single championship ring to their name. Meanwhile, his opponent in that game now is in second place among college coaches with five championship rings, behind only John Wooden's ten. All five of Krzyzewski's titles came in the 64 team field era; Wooden none. Still Coach Olson earned the respect of his contemporary, Coach K said in the post-game interview that "Arizona had a great team and an amazing season and was worthy of winning the championship, let's give a hand to Coach Olson and his team." The comment drew rousing applause from the audience in attendance and made Coach Olson proud, even in defeat, to be honored as an equal by Coach Krzyzewski who many claim is the best coach in college history.

In his later years at U of A, Olson fielded competitive teams with extremely talented point guards. Continuing the reputation and nickname "Point Guard U,"^[4] recent standouts include Jason Gardner, Salim Stoudamire, Mustafa Shakur, Jerryd Bayless and Nic Wise. Arizona would win Olson's last Pac-10 title during the 2004–2005 season under the spectacular play of seniors Salim Stoudamire and center Channing Frye. That team also made it to the Elite 8 and the verge of the Final Four before blowing a 15-point lead with four minutes to play and losing in overtime, 90–89, to the No. 1 seed and eventual national runner-up, University of Illinois.^[21]

Olson took an unexplained leave of absence at the beginning of the 2007–2008 season. Assistant coach Kevin O'Neill took over interim head coaching duties for the Arizona Wildcats. At that time, Olson announced that he intended to be back for the 2008–09 season and finish out his contract, which was scheduled to end in 2011.^[22] His departure was criticized by some members of the media. They also questioned how he and the U of A athletic department handled his return and the verbal succession agreement with coach O'Neill.^[23] However, on October 23, 2008, he unexpectedly announced his retirement from the program (by way of an announcement from Arizona athletic director Jim Livengood).^[24] A few days later, Olson's personal physician held a press conference and explained that the retirement was strongly advised due to health concerns.^[25][26]

After Lute Olson's abrupt retirement, Arizona Athletic Director Jim Livengood appointed assistant coach Russ Pennell as the interim head coach for the 2008–2009 season 23 days before the start of the season.^[27] The appointment came after Mike Dunlap, the associate head coach brought in to replace Kevin O'Neill, turned down the job. Under Pennell, the Cats finished 19–13 in the regular season, including a non-conference win over Kansas and a 7-game win streak with wins over UCLA and Washington. Despite a 19–13 finish to the season, Arizona was controversially selected as one of the last teams into the field of 65 as a 12th seed in the Midwest region, extending its NCAA consecutive tournament appearances to 25 years.^[28] The Cats made it to the Sweet 16 (regional semi-finals) with wins over 5-seed Utah and 13-seed Cleveland State, before falling to overall 1-seed, Louisville.^[29] Despite Pennell's post-season success, he was not retained, as Arizona announced before his hiring they would hold a national coaching search after the season ended.^[29] (On April 9, 2009, Pennell was hired as head coach of the men's basketball team at Division II Grand Canyon University, a member of the Pacific West Conference.)

Further NCAA sanctions under Olson[]

Following Olsen's retirement, reports of NCAA violations arose regarding payment of impermissible benefits to players and recruiting violations. In response, Arizona self-imposed sanctions that included a reduction in the number of recruiting visits by coaches and prospective players, the disbanding of a booster group, and implementation of a series of administrative and rules changes to prevent further violations.^[30] The NCAA upheld most of those self-imposed sanctions but determined the school had used two ineligible players in 2007-08 and would have to vacate all wins involving those players and eliminate their statistics.^[31] The NCAA reduced the number of scholarships and visits with recruits Arizona was allowed to make.^[32] The NCAA found that Olson failed to promote an atmosphere of compliance at the university but decided against sanctioning the coach because he was retired and had health issues. "I think that was my fault," Olson said during a 2008 interview with ESPN.com. "That wasn't anyone else's fault. It was my error and it was a big error. But I guess in 26 years you are allowed to make a mistake once in a while anyway and that's not to say I haven't made a lot of them but in terms of that, that was a big mistake on my part."^[33]

Sean Miller era[]

After the end of the season, various coaching names were considered to succeed Lute Olson on a permanent basis. Arizona was perceived to have interest in Gonzaga's Mark Few, Pittsburgh's Jamie Dixon and then-Memphis coach John Calipari (before he accepted the vacant position at Kentucky) to take the job. Arizona even brought USC's Tim Floyd on campus for an interview and while Arizona claims no formal offer was ever presented, Floyd ultimately turned down the job publicly.

Arizona hired Sean Miller from Xavier University to fill the head coaching position. He initially turned the job down before changing his mind and accepting the job on Apr. 6, 2009 despite having never visited the Arizona campus.^[33] Miller was formally introduced as the 13th head men's basketball coach at Arizona at a press conference on April 7, 2009 at McKale Center.^[34] At the press conference, Miller acknowledged Lute Olson's impact on the Arizona program by addressing Olson personally: "One of the reasons I sit here today is because of the great legacy you built."^[35] Miller also promised U of A fans that they would enjoy the style of both offense and defense he would bring to Wildcat basketball. Miller's salary is $1.6 million per year; he will receive an additional $400,000 per season from Nike and media contracts during a five-year deal, as well as a $1 million signing bonus and other amenities such as season tickets to other Wildcat sporting events and the use of a private jet.^[35] Within three months of joining the program, Miller compiled a strong five-player recruiting class that ranked 13th nationally in 2009.^[36] After going 16–15 and missing the NCAA tournament for the first time in 25 years during Miller's initial 2009–10 campaign.

In his second season as the head coach at Arizona, the Cats finished the season with 30–8, 14–4 Pac-12 play, behind the play of sophomore Pac-10 Player of the Year Derrick Williams.^[37] It would be the Wildcats' first outright Pac-10 regular season title (its 12th overall), 4th 30+ win season (1st overall) and Elite Eight appearance (8th overall) since the 2004–2005 season. In addition, Miller led the Wildcats to their first unbeaten home record (17–0) in 14 years and was named Pac-10 Coach of the Year. This was the first time an Arizona coach received this honor since Lute Olson in 2003. The 17 wins without a loss at home is tied for the second-most in school history.^[38] Miller would add to the season's success by guiding the Cats to their first Elite Eight appearance since the 2004–2005 Season as a 5-seed. In the second round, Arizona secured a 2-point victory over 12th seeded Memphis (coached by former Wildcat (and member of the 1997 national title team) Josh Pastner) with a blocked shot in the final seconds by Derrick Williams. Arizona would follow with another close game—a controversial one-point win against 4-seed Texas.^[39] In the Sweet-16 match-up, Arizona found itself pitted against top-seeded Duke, the first time since the 2001 title game that the two schools had met.^[40] Duke would extend an early lead, but 25 points from Derrick Williams kept the Cats in the game and down by 6 points at the half.^[40] In the second half, Williams' teammates picked up the slack, dominating the Blue Devils by scoring 55 second-half points and routing the defending champs 93–77.^[40] Arizona's run at the Final Four would fall 2 points short, losing to 3-seed (and eventual national champion) Connecticut 65–63.

For his third season, Arizona's 2011 recruiting class was ranked 7th, notably signing Nick Johnson and Josiah Turner. Arizona secured three players in the top nine of the ESPNU 100, with all four newly signed players within the top 36. This has cemented Arizona as the No. 1 signing class nationally, surpassing Kentucky who held the No. 1 spot 2010 and 2011.^[41][42][43] The Wildcats missed the postseason for the second time, reached to the NIT Tournament before falling to Bucknell to finish the season 23–12 overall, 12–6 in Pac-12.

In his fourth season, Miller guided to its second top-5 ranking in the AP poll (the first coming in weeks 7–10 of the 2012–2013 season^[44]), Arizona reached the Sweet 16 in 2013 falling to Ohio State, finished the season with 27–8, 12–6 in Pac-12.

In his fifth season with the most talent Coach Miller has had since arriving in Tucson. On December 9, 2013, Arizona became the #1 ranked Team in the Country for the 6th time in school history, after a 9–0 start with wins over traditional national powerhouses Duke and UNLV. The Wildcats followed this up by securing a key come-from-behind victory on the road at Michigan on December 14 and led the Wildcats to their second outright Pac-12 Regular Season Title (its 13th overall, 26th regular season overall) in Sean Miller's fifth year as the head coach. Arizona reached the second unbeaten home record at (18–0), Coach Miller again named the second Pac-10/12 coach of the year, 5th 30+ wins season (2nd overall), 2nd Elite Eight appearance (9th overall) in 2014. But in the 2014 NCAA tournament, the Wildcats would fall to Wisconsin in overtime, they finish the season with 33–5, 15–3 in Pac-12.

In his sixth season as the Arizona Wildcats basketball head coach, after Gonzaga's home loss to BYU on February 28, 2015, Arizona claimed the longest active home winning streak in D-I men's college basketball (38th home win at 2nd all-time, 82nd home win at 5th all-time). Arizona defeated #13 Utah in Salt Lake City the same day, winning its share of the Pac-12 regular season title. After three losses to Pac-12 archrival Arizona State, Oregon State and UNLV, Arizona won their third Pac-12 regular season championship title (2nd straight year, its 14th overall, 27th overall). Arizona reached the third unbeaten home record at (17–0). The Wildcats completes their sixth ever 30+ win (3rd overall) and won their first Pac-12 Tournament title (5th overall) since 2002. In the 2015 NCAA tournament, the Wildcats fell to the Wisconsin Badgers in Elite Eight, 85–78, and finished the season 34–4, 16–2 in the Pac-12.^[45]

In his seventh season, they finished the season 25–9, 12–6 in Pac-12 play to tie with California for third place. They defeated Colorado in the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 Tournament to advance to the semifinals where they lost to Oregon. In the 2016 NCAA Tournament, as a 6-seed in the South Region. They lost in the first round to Wichita State.

In his eighth season at U of A, AP polls & 81-straight coaches polls. The 97-consecutive weeks in the AP poll is currently the second-longest streak in the nation behind Kansas at 161 weeks.[1] They have been ranked every week in the 2016–2017 season, bringing those totals to 97 weeks for the AP & 100 weeks for the coaches poll. Arizona won its first 10 conference games, the best start since the '97-'98 season when they started 16–0. They finished the season at seventh ever 30+ wins with 32–5, tied at 16–2 with Oregon in Pac-12 play for first place to win their 3rd Pac-12 regular season championship title for the 15th time (28th overall). The Wildcats entered the Pac-12 Tournament as a 2-seed, the Wildcats defeated 7-seed Colorado in the quarterfinals, 3-seed UCLA in the semifinals and 1-seed Oregon in the championship game, Wildcats won their 2nd Pac-12 Tournament championship title for the 6th time. In the 2017 NCAA Tournament, as a 2-seed in the West regional, Arizona defeated the 15-seed North Dakota 100–82 in the first round, 7-seed Saint Mary's 69–60 in the second round and losing to Xavier 71–73 in the Sweet Sixteen.

Later seasons and NCAA investigations[]

As Miller's ninth season as the head coach at Arizona was about to get underway, federal prosecutors announced, on September 26, 2017, bribery, soliciting a bribe and wire fraud charges against assistant coach Emanuel "Book" Richardson as part of a far-reaching, college basketball-wide scandal.^[46] Perhaps in part due to the ongoing scandal, the Wildcats ranked No. 2 in the country at one point, lost three games at the Battle 4 Atlantis Tournament.^[47][48] Arizona would eventually fire Richardson for his role in the scandal and the team would recover to lead the Pac 12 for the majority of the season.^[49] On February 24, 2018, Associate Head Coach Lorenzo Romar was temporarily named head coach after news broke the previous day that Miller had been caught on an FBI wiretap offering to pay players to come to Arizona.^[50][51] On March 1, Miller held a joint press conference with the University denying all allegations and stating he would be retained as men's head basketball coach. That same night, the Wildcats won their 29th regular season conference title, 16th in the Pac-12, and secured the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament by defeating Stanford 75–67. On March 10, Arizona defeated USC to win a record seventh conference tournament title. As a result, the Wildcats received an automatic bid to their sixth straight NCAA Tournament (35th NCAA tournament appearance, 12th all time) as the No. 4 seed in the South regional. The Wildcats, a trendy pick to make the Final Four and win the championship were blown out in the First Round by No. 13 seed Buffalo, losing 89–68.^[52]

2018–2019 marked the tenth season for Sean Miller as the Arizona Wildcats head coach. Arizona replaced all 5 starting players, 3 via the NBA draft. After a victory against UTEP, Miller recorded his 250th win for Arizona (370th win overall), in only 324 games, which was the 5th fastest of any coach at any Division 1 program all-time.^[53] On January 5, 2019 Arizona won its 600th game in the McKale center with an 84–81 overtime victory over Utah.^[54] Arizona became the first Pac-12 team to achieve 100 wins against conference opponents since the conference expanded to 12 teams before the 2011 season, after defeating Stanford 75−70 Jan. 9, 2019.^[55] The Wildcats would go on to finish the season in Pac-12 play 8–10, 9th place overall & lose their first round Pac-12 Tournament match up against USC, 65−78.^[56] They would end the season with an overall record of 17–15 & decline an invitation to the CBI.

2019–2020 marked the eleventh season for Sean Miller as the Arizona Wildcats head coach. Despite again losing all 5 starting players, Arizona would bring in the 6th overall best recruiting class & ranked pre-season 21st by the AP Poll.^[57][58] Arizona would open the season 9–0, capped off by winning the Wooden Legacy tournament located in Anaheim, California by led by tournament MVP Nico Mannion & defeated Wake Forest 73–66.^[59] Arizona finished non-conference play ranked 16th with an overall record of 10–3. On February 1, 2020, Miller would win his 400th overall game of his career in a 75−70 over USC to move their record to 16–6 & 6–3 in conference play.^[60] They would defeat Stanford in Maples Pavilion for the conferences longest active streak 20th time, 69–60.^[61] Arizona would finish the regular season with an overall record of 20–11 & 10–8 in conference play, which was good for 5th. The Wildcats would face 12 seed Washington in their first-round match up & win 77–70, to set up a second-round matchup versus 4 seed USC.^[62] The season would end due to the COVID-19 Pandemic which shut down sports globally & end the 2019–20 season.^[63] Arizona would have an overall record 21–11 & were a projected 7 seed but could have moved higher pending the remainder of the Pac-12 tournament.^[64]

In 2020–21, Arizona would begin its twelfth season under Head Coach Sean Miller. The Pac-12 announced before the season started that schools would not allow for fans to be in attendance due to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[65] Also due to travel restrictions, financial impact & COVID-19 testing, Arizona was forced to cancel non-conference match ups against pre-season top 5 teams, Gonzaga & Illinois,^[66] as well as cancel their appearance in the 2020 NIT Season Tip-Off^[67] in Brooklyn against top 15 ranked Texas Tech, Cincinnati & St. John's. In total Arizona would have 14 games cancelled, postponed or rescheduled but none of which were due to COVID-19 issues within the Arizona Wildcat program.

This season also marked the introduction of expanded Pac-12 play with each team adding two games, one home & one road, during the months of November & December for a total of 20 with the Wildcats adding games at home against Colorado & on the road against Stanford.^[68] Arizona again would replace the entire starting 5 for a third straight season but bring in another top 10 recruiting class, 7th overall led by six international players from Canada, Estonia, France, Lithuania & Turkey, as well as the United States.^[69] Arizona would finish non-conference play with an overall record of 6–0 against its opponents. Arizona would lose its opening Pac-12 game against Stanford 75–78 which would snap the Wildcats' 20-game winning streak against the Cardinal.^[70]

Following 88–74 victory over Colorado, the Wildcats' announced a Self-Imposed one-year postseason ban, which included the 2021 Pac-12 tournament.^[71]

On February 20, Sean Miller would win his 300th game at Arizona in only his 408th, 3rd fastest for any coach at any Pac-12 school by defeated the #17 USC Trojans by a score of 81–72.^[72] During the halftime of match up against Washington, Arizona would induct former players Ernie McCray (1958–60) & Al Fleming (1972-76) as the 26th & 27th members of the program's Ring of Honor.^[73] Arizona would end the season with an overall record of 17–9 overall and finish 5th in the conference at 11–9 but because of their self-imposed ban would not participate in the conference tournament. Many bracketologists stated that Arizona would have been an NCAA tournament team if not for the self-imposed ban.^[74]

In March 2021, a Notice of Allegations from the NCAA, originally issued in October 2020 at the conclusion of the NCAA's initial investigation, was released to the media by the University after a lawsuit was filed by ESPN; the school received five Level I violations, considered the NCAA's most serious, one specifically against Miller for failing to monitor his assistant coaches accused of academic misconduct and other rules violations. None of the allegations included anything regarding former player Deandre Ayton.^[75]

On April 7, 2021, Arizona fired Sean Miller after 12 years.^[76] Miller finished his coaching career with an overall record of 302–109, five regular–season Pac-12 championships, three conference tournament titles & seven NCAA appearances.^[77] His 302 wins are 3rd most in school history.

Tommy Lloyd era[]

After the University decided to part ways with Sean Miller, various coaching names were considered to succeed him on a permanent basis. Three former Wildcats who played under Lute Olson - Damon Stoudamire (head coach at the University of the Pacific), Miles Simon (assistant for the Los Angeles Lakers), and Josh Pastner (head coach at Georgia Tech), as well as Arkansas' Eric Musselman, were under speculation to take the job.^[78] On April 14, 2021, it was announced that Tommy Lloyd, the longtime top assistant coach at Gonzaga under Mark Few, would become the 18th head coach of Arizona men's basketball. A formal press conference was held at McKale Center on April 15 to introduce Lloyd as the head coach.^[79][80][81]

Coach Lloyd got his first head coaching victory at Arizona versus in-state rival Northern Arizona 81–52. His 29-point victory versus NAU was the second largest margin in a coach's debut in school history & largest since 1915.^[82] He would win his first Pac-12 game on December 12, 2021 against Oregon State, 90–65.^[83] Coach Lloyd & Arizona would go on to lose their first game of his career & season in Knoxville, 73–77 against no. 19 Tennessee.^[84] The team's only other defeat (to date) came on January 25, 2022, a 59–75 loss against then-no. 7 UCLA at Pauley Pavilion. To date, the Wildcats were undefeated at McKale Center for the 2021-22 campaign. By late February, media outlets such as USA Today were predicting the 'Cats (ranked number 3 in the nation in the AP poll by February 14)^[85] would be selected (for the 2022 NCAA Tournament) as the number one seed in the East Region.^[86] The Wildcats would be led by sophomore guards Bennedict Mathurin, Kerr Kriisa and Dalen Terry, as well as sophomore forward Ąžuolas Tubelis.

Coaches[]

The Wildcats have had 18 coaches in their 116-year history. To date, one Wildcats’ coach has won the National Coach-of-the-Year award: Lute Olson twice, in 1988 and 1990. Additionally, 2 Wildcats coaches have been named Pac-12 Conference Coach-of-the-Year: Lute Olson in 1986, 1988, 1989, 1993, 1994, 1998 and 2003 and Sean Miller in 2011, 2014, and 2017.

Season by season results[]

Under Tommy Lloyd

Statistics overview

Season	Coach	Overall	Conference	Standing	Postseason
2021–22	Arizona	24–2	14–1
Arizona:		24–2 (.923)	14–1 (.933)
Total:		24–2 (.923)
National champion         Postseason invitational champion         Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion       Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion       Conference tournament champion

Rivalries[]

Arizona State[]

Since Arizona State became a University on December 5, 1958, Arizona leads ASU 77–58. Since both schools joined the Pac-10 conference in the 1978–79 season Arizona leads ASU 63–28. Since Lute Olson took over as head coach for the 1983–84 season Arizona leads ASU 61–17. Sean Miller took over for the 2009–2010 season Arizona & finished with a 17–7 record against ASU.

The most recent matchup came in Tucson, AZ on February 7, 2022, where Arizona beat Arizona State 91–76. Arizona lead the all-time series with 157–86.

UCLA[]

Since then, the two schools competed for the Pac-10 (now Pac-12) Championship every year, with the two teams winning 22 out of the 30 conference titles, and 8 of 17 conference tournament titles. Arizona clinched their first conference title in 1986, when they won on the road at UCLA in Olson's third season.^[87][88] The UCLA-Arizona basketball rivalry is still seen as the match up of the two premier teams in the conference.^[89] Also, the performance of the two schools influences the national opinion of the conference. California Coach Mike Montgomery has stated, "...If those two are not good, the conference is not perceived as being good. People don't give credit to the schools across the board in the league." Since the mid-1980s, Arizona has also had a basketball rivalry with UCLA, as the two schools competed for the Pac-10 Championship every year. Since 1985 the two teams have combined to win 24 out of the 34 conference titles. The UCLA-Arizona basketball rivalry still is seen as the match up of the two premier teams in the conference. Also, the performance of the two schools influences the national opinion of the conference.^[90]

The most recent matchup came during the 2022 season, where Arizona beat UCLA 76–66. Arizona Wildcats trailed the all-time series lead by UCLA with 62–45.

Traditional rivalries[]

^[91]

Team	Arizona Record	First Meeting	Latest Result	Home Record	Away Record	Neutral Record	Notes
Arizona State (in-state)	157–86 (.646)	Dec 13, 1913 (Arizona 41–17)	Feb 7, 2022 (Arizona 91–76)	91–30 (.752)	65–55 (.542)	1–1 (.500)	Arizona–Arizona State
UCLA	45–62 (.421)	Feb 19, 1923 (UCLA 43–30)	Feb 3, 2022 (Arizona –)	26–18 (.591)	14–37 (.275)	5–7 (.417)	Arizona–UCLA
Total	202–148 (.577)	1913	Present	117–48 (.709)	79–92 (.462)	6–8 (.429)	N/A

Other rivals[]

Arizona also has intense rivalries with the in-state Grand Canyon and Northern Arizona. As well as out-of-state rivalries, including Kansas, Duke, San Diego State and Gonzaga.

Team	Arizona Record	First Meeting	Latest Result	Home Record	Away Record	Neutral Record
BYU	20–19 (.513)	Dec 1, 1951 (BYU 68–62)	Dec 11, 2010 (BYU 87–65)	15–4 (.789)	4–14 (.222)	1–1 (.500)
Colorado	22–15 (.595)	Dec 2, 1960 (Colorado 82–72)	Jan 13, 2022 (Arizona 76–55)	13–3 (.813)	3–11 (.214)	6–1 (.857)
Duke	5–4 (.556)	Dec 16, 1961 (Duke 78–47)	Nov 29, 2013 (Arizona 72–66)	2–0 (1.000)	0–1 (.000)	3–3 (.500)
Gonzaga	6–4 (.667)	Nov. 29, 2000 (Arizona 101–87)	Dec 14, 2019 (Gonzaga 84–80)	2–1 (.667)	1–0 (1.000)	3–3 (.500)
Grand Canyon (in-state)	5–0 (1.000)	January 6, 1978 (Arizona 78–66)	December 14, 2016 (Arizona 64–54)	5–0 (1.000)	0–0 (–)	0–0 (–)
Illinois	10–6 (.625)	Dec 27, 1966 (Illinois 93–77)	Dec 11, 2021 (Arizona 83–79)	4–0 (1.000)	1–3 (.250)	5–3 (.625)
Kansas	4–8 (.333)	Dec 31, 1979 (Kansas 78–60)	Nov 27, 2010 (Kansas 87–79)	1–2 (.333)	1–2 (.333)	2–4 (.333)
Kentucky	3–2 (.600)	Mar 16, 1946 (Kentucky 77–53)	Nov 11, 1999 (Arizona 63–51)	0–0 (–)	0–0 (–)	3–2 (.600)
Michigan	9–2 (.818)	Dec 30, 1957 (Michigan 88–76)	Nov 21, 2021 (Arizona 80–62)	2–1 (.667)	1–1 (.500)	6–0 (1.000)
Michigan State	5–2 (.714)	Jan 2, 1947 (Arizona 45–43)	Nov. 11, 2016 (Arizona 65–63)	2–0 (1.000)	1–1 (.500)	2–1 (.667)
New Mexico	85–42 (.669)	Feb 1, 1917 (New Mexico 28–19)	Dec 16, 2017 (Arizona 89–73)	53–9 (.855)	31–32 (.492)	1–1 (.500)
North Carolina	3–4 (.429)	Dec 28, 1948 (North Carolina 60–49)	Jan 27, 2007 (North Carolina 92–64)	0–1 (.000)	0–1 (.000)	3–2 (.600)
Northern Arizona (in-state)	101–27 (.789)	February 10, 1919 (NAU 37–32)	Nov 9, 2021 (Arizona 81–52)	71–6 (.922)	30–21 (.588)	0–0 (–)
San Diego State	24–7 (.774)	Dec 27, 1945 (Arizona 46–44)	Nov 26, 2014 (Arizona 61–59)	14–2 (.875)	7–5 (.583)	3–0 (1.000)
Texas Tech	24–28 (.462)	Jan 15, 1934 (Texas Tech 33–29)	Dec 3, 2013 (Arizona 79–58)	17–9 (.654)	5–18 (.217)	2–1 (.667)
UNLV	9–12 (.429)	Dec 28, 1972 (UNLV 65–64)	Dec 2, 2017 (Arizona 91–88 OT)	6–2 (.750)	2–8 (.200)	1–2 (.333)
Utah	36–31 (.537)	Dec 21, 1953 (Utah 65–57)	Jan 15, 2022 (Arizona 82–64)	22–8 (.733)	11–22 (.333)	3–1 (.750)
UTEP	63–30 (.677)	Feb 2, 1920 (Arizona 24–15)	Dec 12, 2020 (Arizona 69–61)	39–8 (.830)	23–22 (.511)	1–0 (1.000)
Wisconsin	2–5 (.286)	Dec 3, 1962 (Arizona 51–46)	March 28, 2015 (Wisconsin 85–78)	0–0 (–)	1–0 (1.000)	1–5 (.167)
Total	436–248 (.637)	1919	Present	268–56 (.827)	122–162 (.430)	46–30 (.605)

Wildcats of note[]

Wildcats in NBA[]

NBA players[]

Name	NBA team	Seasons as Wildcat	Post-Wildcat accomplishment
Andre Iguodala	Golden State Warriors	2002–04	3x NBA champion (2015, 2017, 2018), NBA Finals MVP, United States – 2012 Summer Olympics – Gold medal, NBA All-Rookie Team, NBA All-star, 2x NBA All-Defensive Team, NBA Dunk Contest participant (2006)
Solomon Hill	New York Knicks	2009–13
Aaron Gordon	Denver Nuggets	2013–14	3x NBA Dunk Contest participant (2016, 2017 & 2020)
T. J. McConnell	Indiana Pacers	2013–15
Stanley Johnson	Los Angeles Lakers	2014–15
Lauri Markkanen	Cleveland Cavaliers	2016–17	NBA All-Rookie 1st Team (2018)
Deandre Ayton	Phoenix Suns	2017–18	First Arizona Wildcat to be selected 1st overall, NBA All-Rookie 1st Team (2019)
Josh Green	Dallas Mavericks	2019–20	Australia – 2020 Summer Olympics – Bronze medal
Zeke Nnaji	Denver Nuggets	2019–20

NBA G League players[]

Name	NBA team	Seasons as Wildcat	Post-Wildcat accomplishment
Allonzo Trier	Iowa Wolves	2015−18
Dylan Smith	Birmingham Squadron	2017−20
Gabe York	Fort Wayne Mad Ants	2012−16	Currently playing with Orlando Magic

Source: Arizona 2021-22 Media Guide^[92]

Current non-NBA professional players

• Rawle Alkins − Riesen Ludwigsburg (Germany)
• Brandon Ashley − Fortitudo Bologna (Italy)
• Parker Jackson−Cartwright − Saint-Quentin (France)
• Daniel Dillon – Waverley Falcons (Australia)
• Kyle Fogg – Liaoning Flying Leopards (China)
• Rondae Hollis-Jefferson – Beşiktaş Icrypex (Turkey)
• Grant Jerrett – BC Avtodor (Russia)
• Nick Johnson – Nanterre 92 (France)
• Ryan Luther – Gaziantep Basketbol (Turkey)
• Nico Mannion – Virtus Bologna (Italy)
• Kyrylo Natyazhko �� BC Dnipro (Ukraine)
• Keanu Pinder – Cairns Taipans (Australia)
• Dušan Ristić – Baloncesto Fuenlabrada (Spain)
• Kobi Simmons – Stal Ostrów Wielkopolski (Poland)
• Kaleb Tarczewski – AX Armani Exchange Olimpia Milan (Italy)
• Derrick Williams – Maccabi Tel Aviv B.C. (Israel)

NBA Draft history[]

13 different NBA championships have been won by 13 Wildcats players. Since the NBA draft was shortened to two rounds in 1989, 43 Arizona players have been selected. Former Wildcats have had successful NBA careers, totaling over $1.5 billion in total contracts through the 2021–2022 NBA season^[93]

Name	Round	Overall Pick	Year	Team
Morris Udall	...	...	1948	Denver Nuggets (NBL)
Lincoln Richmond	...	...	1948	Fort Wayne Pistons
Leon Blevins	7	79	1950	Indianapolis Olympians
Leo Johnson	5	44	1951	Ft. Wayne Pistons
Roger Johnson	...	...	1952	Milwaukee Hawks
Ernie McCray	17	95	1960	Cincinnati Royals
Warren Rustand	4	31	1965	San Francisco Warriors
Bill Davis	12	160	1968	Phoenix Suns
Michael Foster	...	...	1970	Indiana Pacers (ABA)
Tom Lee	9	147	1971	Philadelphia 76ers
Eddie Myers	10	160	1971	Baltimore Bullets (ABA)
Bill Warner	11	170	1971	Buffalo Braves (ABA)
Bruce Anderson	7	101	1972	Detroit Pistons
Eric Money	2	33	1974	Detroit Pistons (ABA)
Coniel Norman	3	37	1974	Philadelphia 76ers (ABA)
Al Fleming	2	30	1976	Phoenix Suns
James Rappis	5	77	1976	Milwaukee Bucks
Bob Elliott	2	42	1977	Philadelphia 76ers
Herman Harris	2	43	1977	Philadelphia 76ers
Jerome Gladney	8	164	1977	San Antonio Spurs
Phil Taylor	10	198	1978	Denver Nuggets
Larry Demic	1	9	1979	New York Knicks
Joe Nehls	7	152	1980	Houston Rockets
Ron Davis	4	79	1981	Washington Bullets
Robbie Dosty	6	148	1981	Golden State Warriors
Frank Smith	8	177	1983	Portland Trail Blazers
Leon Wood	1	10	1984	Philadelphia 76ers
Pete Williams	4	89	1985	Denver Nuggets
Eddie Smith	7	158	1985	Denver Nuggets
Tom Tolbert	2	34	1988	Charlotte Hornets
Steve Kerr	2	50	1988	Phoenix Suns
Sean Elliott	1	3	1989	San Antonio Spurs
Anthony Cook	1	24	1989	Phoenix Suns
Jud Buechler	2	38	1990	Seattle SuperSonics
Brian Williams	1	10	1991	Orlando Magic
Sean Rooks	2	30	1992	Dallas Mavericks
Chris Mills	1	22	1993	Cleveland Cavaliers
Ed Stokes	2	35	1993	Miami Heat
Khalid Reeves	1	12	1994	Miami Heat
Damon Stoudamire	1	7	1995	Toronto Raptors
Joseph Blair	2	35	1996	Seattle SuperSonics
Ben Davis	2	43	1996	Phoenix Suns
Reggie Geary	2	56	1996	Cleveland Cavaliers
Mike Bibby	1	2	1998	Vancouver Grizzlies
Michael Dickerson	1	14	1998	Houston Rockets
Miles Simon	2	42	1998	Orlando Magic
Jason Terry	1	10	1999	Atlanta Hawks
A. J. Bramlett	2	39	1999	Cleveland Cavaliers
Richard Jefferson	1	13	2001	Houston Rockets
Gilbert Arenas	2	31	2001	Golden State Warriors
Michael Wright	2	39	2001	New York Knicks
Loren Woods	2	46	2001	Minnesota Timberwolves
Luke Walton	2	32	2003	Los Angeles Lakers
Andre Iguodala	1	9	2004	Philadelphia 76ers
Channing Frye	1	8	2005	New York Knicks
Salim Stoudamire	2	31	2005	Atlanta Hawks
Hassan Adams	2	54	2006	New Jersey Nets
Marcus Williams	2	33	2007	San Antonio Spurs
Jerryd Bayless	1	11	2008	Indiana Pacers
Jordan Hill	1	8	2009	New York Knicks
Chase Budinger	2	44	2009	Detroit Pistons
Derrick Williams	1	2	2011	Minnesota Timberwolves
Solomon Hill	1	23	2013	Indiana Pacers
Grant Jerrett	2	40	2013	Portland Trail Blazers
Aaron Gordon	1	4	2014	Orlando Magic
Nick Johnson	2	42	2014	Houston Rockets
Stanley Johnson	1	8	2015	Detroit Pistons
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson	1	23	2015	Portland Trail Blazers
Lauri Markkanen	1	7	2017	Minnesota Timberwolves
Kadeem Allen	2	53	2017	Boston Celtics
Deandre Ayton	1	1	2018	Phoenix Suns
Josh Green	1	18	2020	Dallas Mavericks
Zeke Nnaji	1	22	2020	Denver Nuggets
Nico Mannion	2	48	2020	Golden State Warriors

Source: Arizona 2021–22 Media Guide^[94] )

Current coaches in NBA[]

• Steve Kerr, Head coach, Golden State Warriors
• Joseph Blair, Assistant coach, Washington Wizards
• Bret Brielmaier, Assistant Coach, Orlando Magic
• Quinton Crawford, Assistant coach, Los Angeles Lakers
• Bruce Fraser, Assistant coach, Golden State Warriors
• Jesse Mermuys, Assistant coach, Orlando Magic
• Damon Stoudamire, Assistant coach, Boston Celtics

Current coaches in NBA G League[]

• Miles Simon, Head Coach, South Bay Lakers
• Jason Terry, Head Coach, Grand Rapids Gold

Wildcats with NBA championships[]

A Total of 28 NBA championships have been won by 13 former Wildcats, consisting of 13 different finals years (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2020). 5 of the last 6 championship teams have had a former Wildcat as a player and/or coaching staff member on the team.

Former Wildcats have played in 19 of the last 26 finals.

Player (College Years)	Finals Year	Team
Andre Iguodala (2002–04)	2015, 2016 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020	Golden State Warriors (3), Miami Heat
Steve Kerr (1983–88)	1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2003	Chicago Bulls (3), San Antonio Spurs (2)
Luke Walton (1999-03)	2004, 2008, 2009, 2010	Los Angeles Lakers (2)
Richard Jefferson (1998-01)	2002, 2003, 2016, 2017	New Jersey Nets, Cleveland Cavaliers
Jud Buechler (1986–90)	1996, 1997, 1998	Chicago Bulls (3)
Channing Frye (2001–05)	2016, 2017	Cleveland Cavaliers
Jason Terry (1995–99)	2006, 2011	Dallas Mavericks
Deandre Ayton (2017–18)	2021	Phoenix Suns
Mike Bibby (1996–98)	2011	Miami Heat
Ben Davis (1994–96)	1999	New York Knicks
Bison Dele (1988–91)	1997	Chicago Bulls
Sean Elliott (1984–89)	1999	San Antonio Spurs
Al Fleming (1972–76)	1978	Seattle SuperSonics
Solomon Hill (2009–13)	2020	Miami Heat
Derrick Williams (2009–11)	2017	Cleveland Cavaliers

Coach (College Years)	Finals Year	Team
Steve Kerr (1983–88)	2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019	Golden State Warriors (3)
Bruce Fraser (1984–87)	2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019	Golden State Warriors (3)
Luke Walton (1999-03)	2015, 2016	Golden State Warriors
Bret Brielmaier (2004–08)	2016	Cleveland Cavaliers
Quinton Crawford (2011–13)	2020	Los Angeles Lakers
Miles Simon (1994–98)	2020	Los Angeles Lakers

Current Arizona Wildcats college coaches[]

• Josh Pastner, Head Coach, Georgia Tech Yellowjackets

Wildcats in the Olympics[]

The following Arizona Wildcats men's basketball players have represented their country in basketball in the Summer Olympics:

Year Player Country Location Medal 1984 Leon Wood  United States (USA) Los Angeles Gold 2004 Richard Jefferson  United States (USA) Athens Bronze 2012 Andre Iguodala  United States (USA) London Gold 2020 Josh Green  Australia (AUS) Tokyo Bronze 2020 Nico Mannion  Italy (ITA) Tokyo 5th Place U of A Olympians

Honors, awards, and accomplishments[]

The individual honors, awards, and accomplishments listed in the succeeding subsections are aggregated by player in the following table. Players with only all-conference honors (other than conference player of the year), lower than first-team All-America honors, or later than second-round draft positions are not included.

Name	Seasons as Wildcat	Post-Wildcat accomplishment
Deandre Ayton	2017–18	First Wildcat selected 1st Overall, NBA All-Rookie First Team
Gilbert Arenas	1999–01	3-time NBA All-Star, NBA Most Improved Player Award, 2-time NBA 3 Point Contest participant(2006 & 2007)
Mike Bibby	1996–98	NBA All-Rookie First Team, 2-time NBA 3 Point Contest participant(2000 & 2009)
Jud Buechler	1986–90	3-time NBA champion, 11 NBA seasons
Bison Dele (Brian Williams)	1989–90	NBA champion, 7 NBA seasons
Sean Elliott	1985–89	2-time NBA All-Star, NBA champion, 12 NBA seasons
Channing Frye	2001–05	NBA champion, NBA All-Rookie First Team, 1-time NBA 3 Point Contest participant(2010), 15 NBA seasons
Josh Green	2019–20	Australia – 2020 Summer Olympics – Bronze Medal
Andre Iguodala	2002–04	3x NBA champion, NBA Finals MVP, NBA All-Star, NBA All-Defensive First Team, NBA All-Defensive Second Team, NBA All-Rookie First Team, NBA Rookie Challenge MVP, United States – 2012 Summer Olympics – Gold Medal, 18 NBA seasons
Richard Jefferson	1998–01	NBA champion, NBA All-Rookie Second Team, United States – 2004 Summer Olympics – Bronze Medal, 18 NBA Seasons
Steve Kerr	1983–88	5x NBA champion as Player, 3x NBA champion as Coach, 4-time NBA 3 Point Contest participant & 1-time winner(1994–1997), 2016 NBA Coach of the Year, 2015 NBA All-Star Game & 2017 NBA All-Star Game Head Coach, Current Head Coach of the Golden State Warriors, All-time leader in 3 Point FG %, 3rd All-time leader in Coaching Regular Season Win %(.694), 1st All-time leader in Coaching Post Season Win %(.733), Highest Single Post Season Win % (.933), Most Single Season Wins by a Coach (73 Wins), Head Coach of Team USA Basketball
Kenny Lofton	1985–89	6-time MLB All Star, 4-time Gold Glove Award, 17 MLB seasons
Eric Money	1972–74	456. Slam the 500 Greatest NBA Players of All-Time
Damon Stoudamire	1991–95	NBA Rookie of the Year Award, NBA All-Rookie First Team, 13 NBA seasons
Jason Terry	1995–99	NBA champion, NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award, NBA All-Rookie Second Team, 18 NBA seasons - All-time leading scorer of Arizona players in NBA, 7th most made 3pt Field Goals all time, 10th in Games played
Mo Udall	1941–42, 46–48	Former member U.S. Congress (30 years)
Leon Wood	1979–80	United States – 1984 Summer Olympics – Gold medal, 7 NBA seasons

Source: Arizona 2021-22 Media Guide^[94]

National honors and awards (Players)

Conference honors and awards (players)

Conference tournament most valuable player

All-Americans

Arizona has had 30 All-Americans, 8 of which have been Consensus First-Team.^[97]

• 1951 – (3rd-Team, Helms Foundation)
• 1976 – Bob Elliott (3rd-Team, Basketball Weekly; Helms Foundation/Citizen's Savings)
• 1977 – Bob Elliott (2) (1st-Team, Helms Foundation/Citizen's Savings)
• 1988 – Sean Elliott (Consensus 1st-Team)
• 1988 – Steve Kerr (2nd-Team Associated Press; 3rd, NABC)
• 1989 – Sean Elliott (Consensus 1st-Team)(2)
• 1993 – Chris Mills (2nd, Basketball Weekly; 3rd, Basketball Times, NABC, AP, UPI)
• 1994 – Khalid Reeves (Consensus 2nd-Team)
• 1995 – Damon Stoudamire (Consensus 1st-Team)
• 1998 – Mike Bibby (Consensus 1st-Team)
• 1998 – Michael Dickerson (3rd-Team AP)
• 1998 – Miles Simon (Consensus 1st-Team)
• 1999 – Jason Terry (Consensus 1st-Team)
• 2000 – Jason Gardner (3rd-Team, Basketball Times)
• 2001 – Michael Wright (3rd-Team, AP, ESPN.com)
• 2001 – Gilbert Arenas (3rd-Team, ESPN.com)
• 2002 – Jason Gardner (2) (2nd-team, cnnsi.com, Basketball America; 3rd-team, Associated Press, NABC)
• 2002 – Luke Walton (1st-team, John Wooden, collegehoopsinsider.com; 2nd-team, Sporting News, Basketball News; 3rd, Basketball Times)
• 2003 – Jason Gardner (3) (Consensus 2nd-Team)
• 2005 – Channing Frye (2nd-team Basketball Times)
• 2005 – Salim Stoudamire (Consensus 2nd-Team)
• 2008 – Jerryd Bayless (2nd, Sports Illustrated, ESPN.com)
• 2009 – Jordan Hill (3rd-Team)
• 2011 – Derrick Williams (Consensus 2nd-Team)
• 2014 – Nick Johnson (Consensus 1st-Team)
• 2014 – Aaron Gordon (3rd-Team, Sporting News)
• 2015 – Stanley Johnson (3rd-Team, NABC)
• 2017 – Lauri Markkanen (3rd-Team, AP, USA Today, Sporting News, NBC Sports)
• 2018 – Deandre Ayton (Consensus 1st-Team)

Fourteen Arizona players have received AP All-America honorable mention:

• 1991 – Chris Mills (AP Honorable Mention)
• 1991 – Brian Williams (AP Honorable Mention)
• 1992 – Chris Mills (2) (AP Honorable Mention)
• 1992 – Sean Rooks (AP Honorable Mention)
• 1994 – Damon Stoudamire (AP Honorable Mention, Basketball Weekly, USBWA)
• 1997 – Michael Dickerson (AP Honorable Mention)
• 2000 – Loren Woods (AP Honorable Mention)
• 2000 – Michael Wright (AP Honorable Mention)
• 2001 – Jason Gardner (AP Honorable Mention)
• 2001 – Loren Woods (2) (AP Honorable Mention)
• 2003 – Luke Walton (AP Honorable Mention)
• 2004 – Andre Iguodala (AP Honorable Mention)
• 2009 – Chase Budinger (AP Honorable Mention)
• 2018 – Allonzo Trier (AP Honorable Mention)

McDonald's All-Americans

The following 27 McDonald's All-Americans listed below have signed with Arizona. An asterisk, "*", Indicates player did not finish his college career at Arizona. A cross, "†", indicates player did not begin his college career at Arizona.

The following is a list of Arizona Wildcats men's basketball players that were named first, second or third team All-Pac-12:

First team All-Pac-12

Note

• ‡ indicates player was Pac-12 Player of the Year
• † indicates player was Pac-12 Freshman of the Year
• ∞ indicates player was Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year

Second team All-Pac-12

Second team was only awarded from the '77–79' & starting again in the 2007 season.

• 1979 – Joe Dehls
• 2008 – Jerryd Bayless
• 2009 – Nic Wise
• 2014 – T. J. McConnell
• 2016 – Kaleb Tarczewski
• 2016 – Gabe York
• 2017 – Allonzo Trier
• 2017 – Kadeem Allen
• 2018 – Dusan Ristic
• 2020 – Nico Mannion

Third team All-Pac-12

Pac-12 3rd team was only given during the 2007–2008 season.

• 2008 – Chase Budinger

Pac-12 All Freshman Team

Note

• ‡ indicates player was Pac-12 Freshman of the Year.

Pac-12 All Newcomer

• 1995 – Ben Davis Jr.
• 1997 – Bennett Davison Jr.
• 2000 – Loren Woods‡

Note

• ‡ indicates player was Pac-12 Newcomer of the Year

Pac-12 All-Defensive Team

• 2009 – Jordan Hill
• 2012 – Kyle Fogg
• 2014 – Nick Johnson
• 2014 – T. J. McConnell
• 2015 – Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
• 2015 – T. J. McConnell
• 2016 – Kaleb Tarczewski
• 2017 – Kadeem Allen
• 2018 – Deandre Ayton

Note

• ‡ indicates player was Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year

Pac-12 All-Academic Team

• 1986 – Steve Kerr
• 1988 – Steve Kerr (2)
• 1989 – Matt Muehlebach
• 1990 – Matt Muehlebach (2)
• 1991 – Matt Muehlebach (3)
• 1994 – Kevin Flanagan
• 2001 – Eugene Edgerson
• 2004 – Jason Ranne‡
• 2004 – Andre Iguodala^
• 2004 – Brett Brielmaier‡
• 2019 – Chase Jeter‡
• 2020 – Stone Gettings‡

Notes

• ‡ indicates player was Pac-12 First Team Selection
• ^ indicates player was Pac-12 Second Team

Wildcats in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

Players

• Sean Elliot (2018)

Coaches

• Lute Olson (2002, 2006)

Coaching honors and awards (Coaches)

National Coach of the Year

• Lute Olson – 1988, 1990

WAC Coach of the Year

• Fred Snowden – 1972

John R. Wooden Legends of Coaching Award

• Lute Olson – 2002^[98]

Clair Bee Coach of the Year Award^[98]

• Lute Olson – 2001

Pac-12 Coach of the Year^[98]

• Lute Olson – 1986, 1988, 1989, 1993, 1994, 1998, 2003
• Sean Miller – 2011, 2014, 2017

Arizona's Ring of Honor

A total of 30 Wildcats have earned entry into McKale Center's Ring of Honor, the display of names that begins in the southeast corner of the building's rafters. In order to join this elite group, players must meet at least one of the following six criteria: 1.) First-team All-America recognition by one or more of the major national organizations or media; 2.) Major national “player of distinction,” i.e. the Wooden Award or other honor of significance; 3.) Pac-12 Player of the Year or Pac-12 Freshman of the Year; 4.) Arizona career leader in three or more major positive career categories at the conclusion of his collegiate career and must hold the career record for a minimum of five years (excluding single-game records); 5.) Ten or more years of experience in the NBA or selection as an All-Star or an All-Pro; 6.) Olympic medalist^[99]

Players:

Retired numbers[]

To have his number retired, a player must win one of the following six widely recognized player of the year awards:^[100]

• Associated Press Player of the Year
• Oscar Robertson Trophy, formerly known as the United States Basketball Writers Association National Player of the Year
• National Association of Basketball Coaches Player of the Year
• Sporting News Player of the Year
• John R. Wooden Award
• Naismith College Player of the Year
• NCAA Basketball Tournament Most Outstanding Player
• USBWA National Freshman of the Year

Arizona Wildcats retired numbers
No.	Player	Career
10	Mike Bibby	1996–1998
22	Jason Gardner	1999–2003
25	Steve Kerr	1983–1988
31	Jason Terry	1995–1999
32	Sean Elliott	1985–1989
34	Miles Simon	1994–1998

Postseason results[]

Regular season conference championships[]

Though the automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament is given to the conference tournament winner, the Pac–12 declares the team with the best record in the regular season the "official" conference champion.

Season Coach Overall Record Conference Record Border Conference (1931–61) 1931–32 Fred Enke 18–2 18–2 1935–36 Fred Enke 16–7 11–5 1939–40 Fred Enke 15–10 12–4 1942–43 Fred Enke 22–2 16–2 1945–46 Fred Enke 25–5 14–3 1946–47 Fred Enke 21–3 14–2 1947–48 Fred Enke 19–10 12–4 1948–49 Fred Enke 17–11 13–3 1949–50 Fred Enke 26–5 14–2 1950–51 Fred Enke 24–6 15–1 Western Athletic Conference (1962–78) 1975–76 Fred Snowden 24–9 11–3 Pac-10/12 Conference (1979–present) 1985–86 Lute Olson 23–9 14–4 1987–88 Lute Olson 35–3 17–1 1988–89 Lute Olson 29–4 17–1 1989–90 Lute Olson 25–7 15–3 1990–91 Lute Olson 28–7 14–4 1992–93 Lute Olson 24–4 17–1 1993–94 Lute Olson 29–6 14–4 1997–98 Lute Olson 30–5 17–1 1999–2000 Lute Olson 27–7 15–3 2002–03 Lute Olson 28–4 17–1 2004–05 Lute Olson 30–7 15–3 2010–11 Sean Miller 30–8 14–4 2013–14 Sean Miller 33–5 15–3 2014–15 Sean Miller 34–4 16–2 2016–17 Sean Miller 32–4 16–2 2017–18 Sean Miller 27–7 14–4 Conference Championships 27

Pac-10/12 Tournament results[]

U of A has won the Pac-10/12 Tournament a record seven times, including three straight times from 1988 to 1990.^[101] The Wildcats have played in the tournament final a record 11 times.^[101] U of A also has a record 8 tournament MVP's.^[101] Salim Stoudamire is 1 of only 2 players to win the MVP from a losing squad.^[101]

Year	Champion	Score	Runner-Up	Arena	City	Tournament MVP
1988	Arizona	93–67	Oregon State	McKale Center	Tucson, Arizona	Sean Elliott, Arizona
1989	Arizona	73–51	Stanford	Great Western Forum	Inglewood, California	Sean Elliott, Arizona
1990	Arizona	94–78	UCLA	University Activity Center	Tempe, Arizona	Jud Buechler & Matt Muehlebach, Arizona
2002	Arizona	81–71	USC	Staples Center	Los Angeles, California	Luke Walton, Arizona
2005	Washington	81–72	Arizona	Staples Center	Los Angeles, California	Salim Stoudamire, Arizona
2011	Washington	77–75OT	Arizona	Staples Center	Los Angeles, California	Isaiah Thomas, Washington
2012	Colorado	53–51	Arizona	Staples Center	Los Angeles, California	Carlon Brown, Colorado
2014	UCLA	75–71	Arizona	MGM Grand Garden Arena	Paradise, Nevada	Kyle Anderson, UCLA
2015	Arizona	80–52	Oregon	MGM Grand Garden Arena	Paradise, Nevada	Brandon Ashley, Arizona
2017	Arizona	83–80	Oregon	T-Mobile Arena	Paradise, Nevada	Allonzo Trier, Arizona
2018	Arizona	75–61	USC	T-Mobile Arena	Paradise, Nevada	Deandre Ayton, Arizona

Source: 2007–08 Pac-10 Men's Basketball Media Guide pages 50–60 (PDF copy available at 2007–08 Pac-10 Men's Basketball Media Guide)^[101]

NCAA Tournament results[]

The University of Arizona has made 35 NCAA Tournament appearances (two other appearances in 1999 and 2008 were later vacated by the NCAA, 35 total), beginning with the first in 1951 and were the National Champions in 1997. Including a run of 25 consecutive years from 1985 to 2009, which is second only to the North Carolina Tar Heel's 27-year streak from 1975 to 2001.^[5][6][102] Their combined record is 56–33 (.629), including one national championship (1997) and 4 Final Fours (1988, 1994, 1997, 2001).^[103] Arizona is also one of only seven #2 seeds to ever lose a first-round game, losing 64–61 to #15 seed Santa Clara, led by future NBA star Steve Nash in 1993.^[104] In addition, the 1997 Arizona team is the only team to date to beat three #1 seeds to win the national championship.

Opponent	Result	Score	Site	City	Round
2018 – 4 Seed
#13 Buffalo	L	68–89	Taco Bell Arena	Boise, Idaho	First Round
2017 – 2 Seed - Sweet 16
#15 North Dakota	W	100–82	Vivint Smart Home Arena	Salt Lake City, Utah	First Round
#7 St. Mary's	W	69–60	Vivint Smart Home Arena	Salt Lake City, Utah	Second Round
#11 Xavier	L	71–73	SAP Center	San Jose, California	Regional Semifinals
2016 – 6 Seed
#11 Wichita State	L	55–65	Dunkin' Donuts Center	Providence, Rhode Island	First Round
2015 – 2 Seed – Elite 8
#15 Texas Southern	W	93–72	Moda Center	Portland, Oregon	First Round
#10 Ohio State	W	73–58	Moda Center	Portland, Oregon	Second Round
#6 Xavier	W	68–60	Staples Center	Los Angeles	Regional Semifinals
#1 Wisconsin	L	78–85	Staples Center	Los Angeles	Regional Finals
2014 – 1 Seed – Elite 8
#16 Weber State	W	68–59	Viejas Arena	San Diego	First Round
#8 Gonzaga	W	84–61	Viejas Arena	San Diego	Second Round
#4 San Diego State	W	70–64	Honda Center	Anaheim, California	Regional Semifinals
#2 Wisconsin	L	63–64 OT	Honda Center	Anaheim, California	Regional Finals
2013 – 6 Seed – Sweet 16
#11 Belmont	W	81–64	Vivint Smart Home Arena	Salt Lake City	First Round
#14 Harvard	W	74–51	Vivint Smart Home Arena	Salt Lake City	Second Round
#2 Ohio State	L	70–73	Staples Center	Los Angeles	Regional Semifinals
2011 – 5 Seed – Elite 8
#12 Memphis	W	77–75	BOK Center	Tulsa, Oklahoma	First Round
#4 Texas	W	70–69	BOK Center	Tulsa, Oklahoma	Second Round
#1 Duke	W	93–77	Honda Center	Anaheim, California	Regional Semifinals
#3 Connecticut	L	63–65	Honda Center	Anaheim, California	Regional Finals
2009 – 12 Seed – Sweet 16
#5 Utah	W	84–71	American Airlines Arena	Miami	First Round
#13 Cleveland State	W	81–57	American Airlines Arena	Miami	Second Round
#1 Louisville	L	64–103	Lucas Oil Stadium	Indianapolis	Regional Semifinals
2008 – 10 Seed
#7 West Virginia	L	65–75	Verizon Center	Washington, D.C.	First Round
2007 – 8 Seed
#9 Purdue	L	63–72	Smoothie King Center	New Orleans, Louisiana	First Round
2006 – 8 Seed
#9 Wisconsin	W	94–75	Wells Fargo Center	Philadelphia	First Round
#1 Villanova	L	78–82	Wells Fargo Center	Philadelphia	Second Round
2005 – 3 Seed – Elite 8
#14 Utah State	W	66–53	Taco Bell Arena	Boise, Idaho	First Round
#11 UAB	W	85–63	Taco Bell Arena	Boise, Idaho	Second Round
#2 Oklahoma State	W	79–78	Allstate Arena	Rosemont, Illinois	Regional Semifinals
#1 Illinois	L	89–90 OT	Allstate Arena	Rosemont, Illinois	Regional Finals
2004 – 9 Seed
#8 Seton Hall	L	76–80	PNC Arena	Raleigh, North Carolina	First Round
2003 – 1 Seed – Elite 8
#16 Vermont	W	80–51	Vivint Smart Home Arena	Salt Lake City	First Round
#9 Gonzaga	W	96–95 2OT	Vivint Smart Home Arena	Salt Lake City	Second Round
#5 Notre Dame	W	88–71	Honda Center	Anaheim, California	Regional Semifinals
#2 Kansas	L	75–78	Honda Center	Anaheim, California	Regional Finals
2002 – 3 Seed – Sweet 16
#14 UC-Santa Barbara	W	86–81	WisePies Arena	Albuquerque, New Mexico	First Round
#11 Wyoming	W	80–68	WisePies Arena	Albuquerque, New Mexico	Second Round
#2 Oklahoma	L	67–88	SAP Center	San Jose, California	Regional Semifinals
2001 – 2 Seed – National Runner-Up
#15 Eastern Illinois	W	101–76	Kemper Arena	Kansas City, Missouri	First Round
#10 Butler	W	73–52	Kemper Arena	Kansas City, Missouri	Second Round
#3 Ole Miss	W	66–56	Alamodome	San Antonio	Regional Semifinals
#1 Illinois	W	87–81	Alamodome	San Antonio	Regional Finals
#1 Michigan State	W	80–61	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	Minneapolis	National Semifinals
#1 Duke	L	72–82	Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome	Minneapolis	National Championship Game
2000 – 1 Seed
#16 Jackson State	W	71–47	Jon M. Huntsman Center	Salt Lake City	First Round
#8 Wisconsin	L	59–66	Jon M. Huntsman Center	Salt Lake City	Second Round
1999 – 4 Seed
#13 Oklahoma	L	60–61	Bradley Center	Milwaukee	First Round
1998 – 1 Seed – Elite 8
#16 Nicholls State	W	99–60	Sleep Train Arena	Sacramento, California	First Round
#9 Illinois State	W	82–49	Sleep Train Arena	Sacramento, California	Second Round
#4 Maryland	W	87–79	Honda Center	Anaheim, California	Regional Semifinals
#3 Utah	L	51–76	Honda Center	Anaheim, California	Regional Finals
1997 – 4 Seed – NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
#13 South Alabama	W	65–57	Memphis Pyramid	Memphis, Tennessee	First Round
#12 College of Charleston	W	73–69	Memphis Pyramid	Memphis, Tennessee	Second Round
#1 Kansas	W	85–82 2OT	BJCC Arena	Birmingham, Alabama	Regional Semifinals
#10 Providence	W	96–92 2OT	BJCC Arena	Birmingham, Alabama	Regional Finals
#1 North Carolina	W	65–58	RCA Dome	Indianapolis	National Semifinals
#1 Kentucky	W	84–79 OT	RCA Dome	Indianapolis	National Championship Game
1996 – 3 Seed – Sweet 16
#14 Valparaíso	W	90–51	Wells Fargo Arena	Tempe, Arizona	First Round
#6 Iowa	W	87–73	Wells Fargo Arena	Tempe, Arizona	Second Round
#2 Kansas	L	80–83	McNichols Sports Arena	Denver	Regional Semifinals
1995 – 5 seed
#12 Miami-OH	L	82–91	UD Arena	Dayton, Ohio	First Round
1994 – 2 Seed – Final Four
#15 Loyola-MD	W	81–55	Sleep Train Arena	Sacramento, California	First Round
#7 Virginia	W	71–58	Sleep Train Arena	Sacramento, California	Second Round
#3 Louisville	W	82–70	Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena	Los Angeles	Regional Semifinals
#1 Missouri	W	92–72	Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena	Los Angeles	Regional Finals
#1 Arkansas	L	82–91	Charlotte Coliseum	Charlotte, North Carolina	National Semifinal
1993 2 seed
#15 Santa Clara	L	61–64	Jon M. Huntsman Center	Salt Lake City	First Round
1992 3 seed
#14 East Tennessee State	L	80–87	Omni Coliseum	Atlanta	First Round
1991 – 2 Seed – Sweet 16
#15 St. Francis-PA	W	93–80	Jon M. Huntsman Center	Salt Lake City	First Round
#10 BYU	W	76–61	Jon M. Huntsman Center	Salt Lake City	Second Round
#3 Seton Hall	L	69–84	Kingdome	Seattle	Regional Semifinals
1990 – 2 Seed
#15 South Florida	W	79–67	Long Beach Arena	Long Beach, California	First Round
#7 Alabama	L	55–77	Long Beach Arena	Long Beach, California	Second Round
1989 – 1 Seed – Sweet 16
#16 Robert Morris	W	94–60	Taco Bell Arena	Boise, Idaho	First Round
#9 Clemson	W	94–68	Taco Bell Arena	Boise, Idaho	Second Round
#4 UNLV	L	67–68	McNichols Sports Arena	Denver	Regional Semifinals
1988 – 1 Seed – Final Four
#16 Cornell	W	90–50	Pauley Pavilion	Los Angeles	First Round
#8 Seton Hall	W	84–55	Pauley Pavilion	Los Angeles	Second Round
#5 Iowa	W	99–79	Kingdome	Seattle	Regional Semifinals
#2 North Carolina	W	70–52	Kingdome	Seattle	Regional Finals
#1 Oklahoma	L	78–86	Kemper Arena	Kansas City, Missouri	National Semifinal
1987 – 10 Seed
#7 UTEP	L	91–98	McKale Center	Tucson, Arizona	First Round
1986 – 9 Seed
#8 Auburn	L	63–73	Long Beach Arena	Long Beach, California	First Round
1985 – 10 Seed
#7 Alabama	L	41–50	WisePies Arena	Albuquerque, New Mexico	First Round
1977
Southern Illinois	L	77–81	Omaha Civic Auditorium	Omaha, Nebraska	First Round
1976 – Elite 8
Georgetown	W	83–76	Wells Fargo Arena	Tempe, Arizona	First Round
UNLV	W	114–109	Pauley Pavilion	Los Angeles	Regional Semifinals
UCLA	L	66–82	Pauley Pavilion	Los Angeles	Regional Finals
1951
Kansas State	L	59–61	Municipal Auditorium	Kansas City, Missouri	First Round

National championship results[]

Year	Coach	Opponent	Score	Record
1997	Lute Olson	Kentucky Wildcats	84–79 OT	25–9
National Championships			1

1997 NCAA Tournament Results

Round	Opponent	Score
Round #1	#13 South Alabama	65–57
Round #2	#12 College of Charleston	73–69
Sweet 16	#1 Kansas	85–82
Elite 8	#10 Providence	96–92 (OT)
Final 4	#1 North Carolina	66–58
Championship	#1 Kentucky	84–79 (OT)

Final Fours results[]

The Arizona Wildcats have been to four Final Fours, which is tied for 21st all time among Division I schools. 

1988–Semifinalist

1994–Semifinalist

1997–Champion

2001–Finalist

Season Coach Region Regional Final Result Final Four Site Semifinal Result Championship Game Result 1987–88 Lute Olson Seattle Arizona 70, North Carolina 52 Kansas City, Missouri Oklahoma 86, Arizona 78 N/A   1993–94 Lute Olson Los Angeles Arizona 92, Missouri 72 Charlotte, North Carolina Arkansas 91, Arizona 82 N/A 1996–97 Lute Olson Birmingham, Alabama Arizona 96, Providence 92 OT Indianapolis Arizona 66, North Carolina 58 Arizona 84, Kentucky 79 OT 2000–01 Lute Olson San Antonio Arizona 87, Illinois 81 Minneapolis Arizona 80, Michigan State 61 Duke 82, Arizona 72 Total Final Four Appearances 4

NCAA Tournament seeding history[]

Year	Tournament Seed	Tournament Result
1985	10	1st Round
1986	9	1st Round
1987	10	1st Round
1988	1	Final Four
1989	1	Sweet Sixteen
1990	2	2nd Round
1991	2	Sweet Sixteen
1992	3	1st Round
1993	2	1st Round
1994	2	Final Four
1995	5	1st Round
1996	3	Sweet Sixteen
1997	4	Champions
1998	1	Elite Eight
1999	4	1st Round
2000	1	2nd Round
2001	2	Runner-Up
2002	3	Sweet Sixteen
2003	1	Elite Eight
2004	9	1st Round
2005	3	Elite Eight
2006	8	2nd Round
2007	8	1st Round
2008	10	1st Round
2009	12	Sweet Sixteen
2011	5	Elite Eight
2013	6	Sweet Sixteen
2014	1	Elite Eight
2015	2	Elite Eight
2016	6	1st Round
2017	2	Sweet Sixteen
2018	4	1st Round

NIT results[]

The Arizona Wildcats have appeared in the four National Invitation Tournaments (NIT). Arizona's combined record is 0–4.

Year	Round	Opponent	Result/Score
1946	First Round	Kentucky	L 53–77
1950	First Round	La Salle	L 66–72
1951	First Round	Dayton	L 68–74
2012	First Round	Bucknell	L 54–65

Arizona Basketball cumulative all-time statistics[]

• Total NCAA Tournament Appearances (NCAA and NIT): 35 (NCAA rank #12) ^[105]
• Total NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 Appearances: 18 (NCAA rank t-7th)^[106]
• Total NCAA Tournament Elite 8 Appearances: 11 (NCAA rank t-8th)^[107]
• Total NCAA Tournament Final Four Appearances: 4
• #1 Seeds in the NCAA Tournament: 6 times
• NBA Draft Picks: 77
• All-Americans: 31
• First Team Consensus All-Americans: 12 (NCAA rank #23)
• Number of Times Defeating the #1 Ranked Team in the Country: 4
• AP Poll Top-20/25 Weeks Ranked All Time: 551 (NCAA rank #8)^[108]
• AP Poll Top-10 Weeks Ranked All Time: 299 (NCAA rank #6)^[108]
• AP Poll Top-5 Weeks Ranked All Time: 150 (NCAA rank #7)^[108]
• AP Poll #1 Weeks Ranked All Time: 37 (NCAA rank #8)^[108]

Arizona can also lay claim to several individual achievements for both players and coaches:

• 9 players winning NBA Championships a total of 18 times
• 3 players named NBA All-Star a total of 6 times
• 2 Olympic Gold Medal & 2 Bronze Medal winners
• 4 players named National Player-of-the-Year
• 1 head coach named National Coach-of-the Year a total of 2 times
• 2 head coaches named Pac-12 Coach-of-the-Year a total of 10 times
• 8 players named Conference Player-of-the-Year a total of 9 times
• 10 players named Conference Freshman-of-the-Year
• 1 players named Conference 6th-Man-of-the-Year
• 7 players named Conference Tournament MVP a total of 8 times
• 1 players named NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player a total of 1 time
• 4 players named NCAA Regional Most Outstanding Player a total of 4 times
• 28 players named McDonald's All-American
• 2 players named McDonald's All-American MVP

Arizona also holds several other NCAA records and various additional accomplishments:

• Arizona has 1 NCAA championship (1997), 2 Maui Invitational Championships (2000, 2014), 29 Fiesta Bowl Classic championships (1974–75, 1985–98, 2001–08, 2010–12), 16 Pac-10/12 regular-season championships, and a league best 7 Pac-10/12 Tournament championships.

All-Time Statistical leaders[]

Points

Name	Years	Points
Sean Elliott	1985-89	2,555
Bob Elliott	1973-77	2,131
Jason Gardner	1999-2003	1,984
Salim Stoudamire	2001-05	1,960
Khalid Reeves	1990-94	1,925

Freshman Points

Name	Years	Points
Deandre Ayton	2018	704
Jerryd Bayless	2008	592
Coniel Norman	1973	576
Lauri Markkanen	2017	576
Gilbert Arenas	2000	523
Stanley Johnson	2015	523

Rebounds

Name	Years	Rebounds
Al Fleming	1973-76	1,190
Bob Elliott	1974-77	1,083
Channing Frye	2001-05	975
Kaleb Tarczewski	2013-16	879
Anthony Cook	1986-89	861

Freshman Rebounds

Name	Years	Points
Deandre Ayton	2018	405
Aaron Gordon	2014	303
Bob Elliott	1974	278
Zeke Nnaji	2020	276
Lauri Markkanen	2017	266

Assists

Name	Years	Assists
Russell Brown	1978-81	810
Mustafa Shakur	2004-07	670
Damon Stoudamire	1992-95	663
Jason Gardner	2000-03	622
Luke Walton	2000-03	582

Freshman Assists

Name	Years	Points
Russell Brown	1978	197
Mike Bibby	1997	178
Nico Mannion	2020	169
Jason Gardner	2000	162
Mustafa Shakur	2004	147

Steals

Name	Years	Steals
Jason Terry	1996-99	245
Hassan Adams	2003-06	238
Jason Gardner	2000-03	225
Reggie Geary	1993-96	208
Kenny Lofton	1986-89	200

Freshman Steals

Name	Years	Points
Mike Bibby	1997	76
Gilbert Arenas	2000	71
Stanley Johnson	2015	57
Jason Gardner	2000	55
Andre Iguodala	2003	47

Blocked Shots

Name	Years	Blocks
Anthony Cook	1986-89	278
Channing Frye	2001-05	258
Loren Woods	2000-01	186
Ed Stokes	1990-93	167
Sean Rooks	1989-92	142

Freshman Blocks

Name	Years	Points
Deandre Ayton	2018	66
Anthony Cook	1986	50
Channing Frye	2002	50
Ed Stokes	1990	49
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson	2014	40

Games Played

Name	Years	Games
Dusan Ristic	2015-18	141
Kyle Fogg	2009-12	139
Solomon Hill	2010-13	139
Jason Gardner	2000-03	136
Jordin Mayes	2011-14	136

Freshman Games Played

Name	Years	Points
Jordin Mayes	2011	38
Aaron Gordon	2014	38
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson	2014	38
Stanley Johnson	2015	38

Wins

Name	Years	Wins
Dusan Ristic	2015-18	115
Parker Jackson-Cartwright	2015-18	110
Kaleb Tarczewski	2013-16	110
Matt Muehlebach	1988-91	110
Jason Gardner	2000-03	107

School records[]

Individual career[]

Note ‡ indicates player was also Conference record holder

Team season records[]

Note ‡ indicates player was also Conference record holder

Freshman Single Season Leaders[]

Note † indicates player was also the Yearly Pac-12 Leader

Freshman Single Game Leaders[]

Note ‡ indicates player was is also single game record holder

Home Court Winning Streaks[]

Rank	Wins	Years	Coach
1	81^	1945–51	Fred Enke
2	71	1987–92	Lute Olson
3	49	2013–16	Sean Miller
4	38	1975–78	Fred Snowden
5	37	1997–99	Lute Olson

^Played at Bear Down Gym

Record vs. Pac-12 opponents[]

The Arizona Wildcats lead the all-time series regardless of conference affiliation vs. ten other Pac-12 opponents, trailing only UCLA.^[109]

Opponent	Wins	Losses	Pct.	Streak
Arizona St.	157	85	(.646)	Arizona 4
Cal	69	31	(.690)	Arizona 10
Colorado	22	15	(.595)	Arizona 1
Oregon	52	36	(.591)	Arizona 1
Oregon St.	70	22	(.761)	Arizona 5
Stanford	69	31	(.690)	Arizona 1
UCLA	45	62	(.421)	Arizona 1
USC	71	46	(.603)	Arizona 2
Utah	36	31	(.537)	Arizona 1
Washington	58	31	(.652)	Arizona 5
Washington State	69	17	(.802)	Arizona 5

• Total (718–408, .638)
• Note all-time series includes non-conference matchups & Pac-12 Tournament.

Pac-12 series records[]

Arizona joined the former Pac-8 conference in 1978 to create the Pac-10 conference with rival Arizona State. Utah and Colorado joined the Pac-10 in 2011 to create the present Pac-12. Arizona has a winning home record over every conference opponent since joining the conference. Arizona has an overall winning record over every conference opponent other than UCLA. Since Lute Olson became head coach in 1983, Arizona had winning records over all 9 conference opponents(Colorado & Utah didn't join until 2011).^[110] Sean Miller had winning records against 9 of the 11 opponents.

Team	Arizona Record	Home Record	Away Record	Conference Tourny	Lute Olson's Record	Sean Miller's Record	Tommy Lloyd's Record
Arizona State	63–32 (.663)	34–11 (.756)	27–20 (.574)	1–1 (.500)	43–6 (.878)	17–7 (.708)	2–0 (1.000)
Cal	68–19 (.782)	35–6 (.854)	29–13 (.690)	4–0 (1.000)	42–9 (.824)	17–4 (.810)	1–0 (1.000)
Colorado (2011-Pres)	17–8 (.680)	10–0 (1.000)	2–7 (.222)	5–1 (.833)	0–0 (–)	16–7 (.696)	1–0 (1.000)
Oregon	52–36 (.591)	31–11 (.738)	19–22 (.463)	2–3 (.400)	36–14 (.720)	10–13 (.435)	1–0 (1.000)
Oregon State	68–22 (.756)	36–6 (.857)	26–16 (.619)	6–0 (1.000)	44–7 (.863)	17–5 (.773)	2–0 (1.000)
Stanford	65–24 (.730)	33–8 (.805)	28–14 (.667)	4–2 (.667)	36–16 (.692)	19–2 (.905)	1–0 (1.000)
UCLA	43–52 (.453)	25–17 (.595)	13–30 (.302)	5–5 (.500)	28–23 (.549)	12��15 (.444)	1–1 (.500)
USC	59–30 (.663)	35–7 (.833)	19–22 (.463)	5–1 (.833)	38–13 (.745)	15–8 (.652)	1–0 (1.000)
Utah (2011-Pres)	15–3 (.833)	9–0 (1.000)	5–3 (.625)	1–0 (1.000)	0–0 (–)	14–3 (.824)	1–0 (1.000)
Washington	57–31 (.648)	33–8 (.805)	23–20 (.535)	1–3 (.250)	35–15 (.700)	14–8 (.636)	2–0 (1.000)
Washington State	68–16 (.810)	33–8 (.805)	34–8 (.810)	1–0 (1.000)	44–5 (.898)	17–3 (.850)	1–0 (1.000)
Total	575–273 (.678)	315–82 (.793)	225–175 (.563)	35–16 (.686)	346–108 (.762)	168–74 (.694)	14–1(.933)

Rankings[]

Arizona teams have spent a total of 37 weeks ranked number 1, most recently in 2015.

The Associated Press began its basketball poll on January 20, 1949. The following is a summary of those annual polls. Starting in the 1961–62 season, AP provided a preseason (PS) poll. AP did a post-tournament poll in 1953, 1954, 1974 and 1975. The following table summarizes Arizona history in the AP Poll:^[111]

Year	Appearances	Pct	High	Low	Average	Final Ranking
2022	13	87%	3	17	8	TBD
2020	13	68%	12	25	19	NR
2018	17	89%	2	23	13	12
2017	19	100%	4	20	11	4
2016	19	100%	7	23	14	17
2015	19	100%	2	10	5	5
2014	20	100%	1	6	3	4
2013	20	100%	3	21	10	21
2012	3	16%	15	23	18	NR
2011	7	37%	10	20	16	17
2008	7	35%	17	22	19	NR
2007	15	79%	7	24	14	NR
2006	8	42%	9	24	17	24
2005	19	100%	8	21	13	9
2004	19	100%	3	22	11	22
2003	19	100%	1	4	2	2
2002	17	94%	4	20	12	7
2001	19	100%	1	21	9	5
2000	19	100%	2	10	5	4
1999	18	100%	6	18	10	12
1998	18	100%	1	8	4	4
1997	18	100%	6	19	12	15
1996	17	94%	3	19	11	11
1995	18	100%	5	15	10	15
1994	18	100%	6	19	12	9
1993	18	100%	3	22	10	5
1992	18	100%	2	11	6	10
1991	17	100%	2	9	5	8
1990	17	100%	2	24	18	14
1989	18	100%	1	12	6	1
1988	17	100%	1	17	3	2
1987	2	11%	19	20	20	NR
1985	1	6%	19	19	19	NR
1977	15	88%	8	20	14	NR
1976	5	29%	10	18	13	15
1975	15	79%	10	19	15	NR
1974	8	44%	12	20	15	NR
1951	8	67%	11	16	14	12
1950	5	50%	15	19	17	15

Arizona vs. the AP Top 25[]

The Wildcats all-time record versus ranked teams is 152–188 (.447). The Wildcats all-time record versus ranked teams at McKale Center is 60–38 (.604).^[112]

Rank	Record	Last Met	Opponent	Result	Score
No. 1	4–5 (.444)	3/27/09	Louisville	L	64–103
No. 2	4–11 (.267)	12/29/07	Memphis	L	63–76
No. 3	11–7 (.611)	2/3/22	UCLA	W	76–66
No. 4	8–16 (.333)	11/21/21	Michigan	W	80–62
No. 5	8–12 (.400)	3/11/17	Oregon	W	83–80
No. 6	8–15 (.348)	12/14/19	Gonzaga	L	80–84
No. 7	7–7 (.500)	1/25/22	UCLA	L	59–75
No. 8	11–13 (.458)	11/21/18	Auburn	L	57–73
No. 9	10–8 (.556)	1/9/20	Oregon	L	73–74 (ot)
No. 10	4–9 (.308)	1/27/05	Washington	W	91–82
No. 11	2–4 (.333)	2/14/09	UCLA	W	84–72
No. 12	2–6 (.250)	11/12/16	Michigan State	W	65–63
No. 13	7–7 (.500)	2/4/17	Oregon	L	58–85
No. 14	2–9 (.182)	2/22/20	Oregon	L	72–73 (ot)
No. 15	6–5 (.545)	11/26/14	San Diego State	W	61–59
No. 16	7–7 (.500)	3/8/07	Oregon	L	50–69
No. 17	7–7 (.500)	2/20/21	USC	W	81–72
No. 18	7–15 (.318)	12/7/19	Baylor	L	58–63
No. 19	7–5 (.583)	2/5/22	USC	W	72–63
No. 20	6–3 (.667)	1/18/20	Colorado	W	75–54
No. 21	4–2 (.667)	3/15/13	UCLA	L	64–66
No. 22	4–2 (.667)	3/18/17	Saint Mary's	W	69–60
No. 23	5–5 (.500)	2/14/16	USC	W	86–78
No. 24	3–4 (.429)	1/10/10	Washington	W	87–70
No. 25	7–3 (.700)	2/15/18	Arizona State	W	77–70

Conferences[]

Years	Conferences	Win–Loss	Pct.
1904–1931	None	—	—
1931–1962	Border Conference	231–144	(.616)
1962–1978	WAC	98–98	(.500)
1978–2011	Pacific-10 Conference	400–194	(.673)
2011–present	Pac-12 Conference	139–57	(.709)
Total	All Conferences	868–493	(.638)

Game day traditions[]

Arizona's home games include many traditions involving The Pride of Arizona pep band and the .

• Before every game, the band splits into four sections in the four sides of McKale Center. They play Bear Down Arizona in sequence before the band runs back to the student section in the north stands and plays all of Bear Down. The band also yells "Hi fans!" to the fans, who respond by yelling "Hi band!" and "Hi Tommy!" to head coach Tommy Lloyd, who responds by waving to the band. The band also yells "Hi Adia!" to Arizona women's basketball coach Adia Barnes.
• While the opposing team's players are being introduced, the student section turns their backs to the court. As each player's name is announced, they will yell "Sucks!" In the interest of sportsmanship, though, the Athletic Department is attempting to phase this tradition out.
• At the start of each half, the entire crowd will stand until the other team scores a point. The fans will also clap rhythmically with the band as it plays a four-note refrain repeatedly until the ball is tipped or inbounded.
• During the first four minutes of each half, or until the first media timeout, the band and students have several chants.
  • Every time an opposing player dribbles, the yell is "Boing!"
  • Every time they pass, the yell is "Pass!"
  • Every time they try to shoot, the yell is "Brick!"
• When an opposing player fouls an Arizona player, the band and students chant, while pointing at the opposing player, "You! You! You! You! You! You! You! You! You! On you, that's who!" If the foul occurs during a shot and the player makes the shot, the chant is instead "Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! No no no no! No no no no! No no no no! No no no no! Don't touch me!"
• If an opposing player accrues four fouls during the game, they will chant "Four!" four times while waving four fingers. If a player fouls out, the band plays the beat from "Another One Bites the Dust", concluding with the band and students yelling "Hey! We're gonna get you too!"
• When opposing players are attempting foul shots, besides attempting to distract the player, the band and students have several chants, but the only constant one is yelled if the player misses their first shot of a two-shot foul, in which case they yell "Nice shot, buddy!"
• If Arizona is beating an opponent by a comfortable margin late in the game, the band and students will chant "Go start the bus!" repeatedly. If an opponent makes a big play, they will chant "It just doesn't matter!"
• Since the 1980s, the "Ooh Aah Man" Joe Cavaleri has made appearances at McKale to pump up the crowd. He starts by spelling out "A-R-I-Z-O-N-A!" with his body as the crowd chants along. He then directs the crowd in chanting "U of A!", first by each side of the arena, then by the north and south sides and east and west sides simultaneously then by the whole arena. His routine usually involves pulling off his shirt and pants to reveal another Arizona shirt and shorts underneath. Unfortunately, Cavaleri was recently diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and has only made a few appearances during the 2010–2011 season.^{[113][114][115]}
• At the end of every home game (and every Arizona athletics event the band is present at) the band plays Arizona's alma mater, "All Hail, Arizona!" Students and fans link arms, sway as they sing and jump up and down while singing the last part of the song.
• The team hosts an annual "White Out" game. All fans are encouraged to wear white T-shirts. The most recent white out game was on December 7, 2013, versus UNLV. This was the fourth consecutive season to include a white out game.^[116]

Facilities[]

Beardown Gym[]

Prior to playing its games at the McKale Center, Arizona played games at Bear Down Gym from 1927 until 1973. Arizona would win its inaugural game against Arizona State, then known as Tempe State Teachers College by a score of 29-18.

McKale Center[]

Arizona plays its home games at McKale Center, located on the campus in Tucson, Arizona. Since moving into the McKale Center in 1973 the Arizona Wildcats men's basketball team has experienced a high winning percentage with an outstanding home court advantage.

Radio network affiliates[]

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See also[]

• List of NCAA Division I Men's Final Four appearances by coach
• NCAA Division I Men's Final Four appearances by school
• NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament consecutive appearances

References[]

External links[]

• Official website