By
Maya Schechter
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Students say they were pleased with crowd's spirit despite loss
Sunny skies and cheering fans welcomed the Arizona men's basketball team upon arrival from their five-day Minneapolis trip yesterday afternoon.
Arizona lost to Duke University 82-72 in Monday night's championship game, but that didn't stop Wildcat fans from showing their full support.
About 3,000 University of Arizona students and Tucsonans held up signs that read "Number 2 in the nation ain't so bad" and "You're still number one in our hearts" as they filled the Arizona Stadium to celebrate the team's accomplishments.
Pride of Arizona band members and cheerleaders helped get the crowd excited for the arrival of the team by playing "Bear Down" and dancing in the stands.
Even the recently-released rap songs "Battle with the Cats" and "Where My Real Wildcats At" were sung as the performers encouraged the audience to sing along.
The team arrived at Arizona Stadium at 2:40 p.m., standing topless on the second story of a double-decker red bus, along with head coach Lute Olson in a white Hummer limousine.
Several convertibles carrying mascots Wilbur and Wilma, Olson's family and assistant coaches arrived with the entourage.
A motorcade of 25 police motorcycles and cars - from the Pima County Sheriff's department, the Tucson and university police departments - escorted the Wildcat parade, which began at the Tucson International Airport, said Roy Franco, motor officer for the sheriff's department.
"Let's remember one thing - it is a great time to be a Wildcat," said UA athletic director Jim Livengood.
Arizona Gov. Jane Hull, UA President Peter Likins and student body president Ben Graff all spoke to the audience about how proud they were of the basketball team.
As head coach Lute Olson took the microphone, some fans cheered and chanted his name, while others shouted "U of A! U of A!"
"I don't care about what anyone thinks, but I think they (the team) are number one as far as I'm concerned," Olson said.
Olson acknowledged his staff of assistant coaches and trainers and thanked them for all their hard work.
The three senior team captains - forward/center Justin Wessel, forward Eugene Edgerson and center Loren Woods - each thanked the fans for their continuos support.
"We love you all and support the Wildcats forever - go Cats!" Edgerson said.
Woods, who was splashed with water from fellow teammates, said he didn't think there was a reason for people to "hang their heads" because of the team's loss to Duke.
He assured the crowd that he would always keep the memories of the fans, his team and McKale Center close to him.
Despite several of Monday night's violent acts on North Fourth Avenue, many UA students chose to celebrate the Wildcats' accomplishments with pride.
"(The team) represented our school so well," said Mike Siver, a communication junior. "They made us look so good, and we owe it to them to support them."
Erick Negri, executive vice president of the Associated Students who watched the game from O'Malley's bar Monday night, said he was impressed by the crowd's pride shown in the streets despite the loss.
"Our team played their hearts out and did everything they possibly could - but look at all these students that are so proud of all the teams' accomplishments," he said immediately following Monday night's game.
"There isn't a student or member of the Tucson community that wouldn't be proud at what the team has accomplished and all the schools they overcame to get here," he added.
Graff, who attended the Final Four in Minneapolis, said watching the games live was an "amazing experience."
"The greatest honor wasn't that I got to see them, but to actually be there to support them," he said.
He also said he was impressed with the overwhelming turnout to welcome home Tucson's number-one team.
