By Corbett B. Daly

Arizona Daily Wildcat

CHARLOTTE, N.C. _Seconds after the buzzer sounded to end the UA basketball team's 91-82 loss to the University of Arkansas on Saturday, scalpers were looking for tickets to

"They're vultures," said Rep. Jim Kolbe (R-Tucson). "It's just like (the 1988 Final Four in) Kansas City."

Twenty minutes after the game ended, scalper Mike Grybowski said he had six tickets for tonight's championship game that he planned to re-sell for more than the $100 to $150 he paid per ticket.

"(Arizona) fans sold out easy," he said.

Most UA fans said they plan to stay for the championship, and were annoyed by scalpers who approached them on the street because of their UA sweatshirts.

"We were stopped by hundreds of people," said UA alumna Amy Brodkin.

Brodkin came from Malibu, Calif. to see the game, saying she was "heartbroken" and "disappointed" when the Wildcats

"I've been a major follower of the team," she said. "This was different. This team had more heart than any I've ever

Brodkin said she was staying for the rest of the tournament and expects tonight's match between Arkansas and Duke University to be a "good game."

ASUA President Derek Lewis said he lost a bet with Arkansas student body president Wendy King. He must wear an Arkansas shirt and hat to tonight's game and send a signed photograph to King's student government.

"This is not something I'm looking forward to," he said.

"(The UA team) played their heart out," Lewis said. "They did a great job. It was unbelievable competition. Only four teams in the nation get to have this honor and they should be proud of that."

After the game, UA President Manuel T. Pacheco said the mood in the Wildcats' locker room was "somber at best" as he addressed the players, telling them he was proud of the team and optimistic for the future.

And Kolbe said the team had a great season.

"Nobody expected them to get this far," he said.

Kolbe said he has a busy week ahead and planned to give his championship tickets to his staff so he could return to Washington, D.C.

Gretchen Enockson, a UA accounting junior, and Laura Belmont, a sociology junior, were two UA fans that could not get out of Charlotte fast enough.

"Charlotte is not our favorite city," Enockson said.

"I'm really disappointed," Belmont said. "As soon as we can get (tickets for tonight's game) off our hands, we'll be Read Next Article