Why Arizona Basketball is so important to Tucson

As we get closer to the beginning of actual gameplay for Arizona Basketball on Nov.1st, now is a great time to reflect on how important this basketball program is to Tucson.

The city of Tucson loves Arizona Basketball! Having been a Tucson native for 39 years, trust me when I tell you this basketball program is a very important part of the heartbeat of this city. When the season is about to start, it can be felt in the air. When the Wildcats win or when they lose, it can be felt. When the Wildcat land a big commitment, everyone is talking about it. Everything that happens with this program is a big deal in Tucson.

Expectations are always high for his program. Final Four or bust. If the Wildcats make a deep run during March Madness but don’t make the Final Four and win a national championship there will be those fans who complain about Sean Miller and the players.

It’s those same fans who before the season starts do nothing but praise this program. I would define this as a love, hate relationship these certain fans have. At the end of the day though they feel this way because this program is so important to them. It’s almost a way of life here in Tucson.

Especially during the Lute Olson era, Arizona Basketball was a national powerhouse and they were expected to win a lot and be a contender for the national championship. They did win one in 1997, but before then and since then, Arizona Basketball has had one the most passionate fan bases in the country.

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Because of the legacy of this program and the positive impact it has had on the university and city, most of Tucson takes this program seriously. Fast forward to the present day, with all the negative publicity Wildcat basketball has received, locals are 100% behind Miller.

Let’s be honest, another reason why basketball means so much to Tucson is because of the amount of money it has brought, not just into the university by to the city. Surrounding business, restaurants, hotels, transportation, have all benefited from the success of Arizona Basketball.

Arizona Basketball is so important to locals that they travel well, whether it’s to the Pac-12 Tournament in Las Vegas or when they travel to Tempe to play ASU. The fans also know a thing or two on how to pack McKale Center since 1973.

Not only is this program important to the fans, but also to the players. A good example of this is the multiuse Richard Jefferson Gymnasium built-in 2008, which is used by both men’s and women’s basketball and volleyball as well. He donated 3.5 million to help construct the practice center.

Anywhere in Tucson, on any given day, it can be during the season or before the season, Wildcat fans are having passionate discussions about the basketball program, I guarantee that. That will never change. Simply put, Arizona Basketball keeps this city going. Hopefully, for many many years to come, that won’t change. As always, Bear Down, Arizona!