Students 'excited' about UA trip to Final Four

By Craig Degel and Kevin Clerici
Arizona Daily Wildcat
March 25, 1997

Students 'excited' about UA trip to Final Four

Photo courtesy of Sports Media Imaging
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Fans cheer the arrival of Jason Terry (with towel), Miles Simon and the rest of the Final Four-bound Arizona men's basketball team. The Wildcats will be in Indianapolis on Saturday for their national semifinal showdown with North Carolina.

When the Arizona men's basketball team began its NCAA Tournament run two weeks ago, most people probably would have been happy with a strong showing and avoiding another first-round NCAA Tournament upset. Instead, they've got themselves a Wildcat team in the Final Four. The Wildcats take on North Carolina Saturday in Indianapolis.

"I think the whole campus is definitely excited. Especially since they were expected to be there next year, it's definitely a pleasant surprise," said chemical engineering sophomore Kasi Kiehlbaugh. "My friend dyed his hair blue for the whole effect, so y ou can sense the excitement."

One fan said he hoped the win would bring more respect to the program.

"All the announcers kept talking about all the other schools, but look who they are talking about now," said plant science junior Aaron Ellentuck. "It's great. It's makes us all feel real proud. They are showing the rest of the country that our school is for real."

Of course, there are those who were surprised Arizona got anywhere at all.

"It's incredible. It's lucky, really, they should have lost a long time ago," said undecided freshman Mike Roney. "I think it's cool, though."

The Wildcats advanced to the regional semifinals by beating South Alabama and College of Charleston. Then they stunned the nation on Friday night by beating top-ranked Kansas.

"It's great to see the team actually get that far," said junior mechanical engineer T.J. Rodriguez. "All of a sudden they just exploded as a team. How can you not be happy?"

"I knew that we were going to get past the first round, but the way we were struggling people can get doubts," said exercise and sports sciences junior Christian Becker. "You just have to have pride. I was there in McKale (Center) when they got back and i t was amazing. 10,000 people screaming in support, you could feel the excitement."

One student wasted no time in getting her hands on a Final Four t-shirt and she was sporting it yesterday.

"I never had any doubts they could do it," said sociology freshman D. Wilson. "I have lived here all my life and I have seen them go there before."