Arizona students fuel Wildcats’ Final Four run with energy | Arizona Wildcats

TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) – University of Arizona students are bringing unmatched energy as the Wildcats head to the Final Four, packing the Zona Zoo at McKale Center and filling watch parties across campus as the heartbeat behind Arizona’s historic run.

From campus to packed bars, Wildcat fans are all in for this Final Four run. The atmosphere in Tucson has been electric over the last couple of days, according to fans.

“For me, I mean it means the world. The atmosphere here in Tucson has been electric over the last couple of days,” Ryan Haber said.

Arizona is known for having one of the most loyal fan bases in college basketball. For many students, this connection runs deep.

“It’s my freshman year, I’ve only been here one year — but I grew up in Tucson. I’ve been a Wildcat fan all my life,” a UA freshman said.

For one sophomore from Indiana, this Final Four is a little more personal. The student is getting merchandise because it says Indiana on it, making it really cool to represent both Indiana and their school playing in their hometown.

Fans say this team is proving something not just to Tucson, but to the rest of the country. People have been saying U of A is West Coast soft, but the team is proving they’re West Coast strong.

“People saying U of A is West Coast soft and I think we’re proving we’re West Coast strong. The last team in the West to win was 1997 and that was us,” Haber said.

For many students, this run is something they’ve never seen before. The team has never made it this far in their lifetime, making it something special.

“They’ve never made it this far in my life. It’s something special. It’s really great,” a UA freshman said.

As Arizona prepares for their game in Indianapolis, students will be right there—loud, proud and all in behind their team. That kind of passion is what makes college basketball special.