Arizona Basketball: Why Wildcat fans need to remain calm

Arizona Basketball fans have been spoiled for many years, but when this program loses games they can get a little carried away. Everyone just needs to remain calm.

When Arizona Basketball isn’t winning or playing the way they are expected too, fans get a little too carried away in how they react. Being a fan myself, totally get it. But we have to remember that these are just 18/19-year-olds playing under immense pressure. Yes, they should expect that when playing for a school like Arizona, but at the end of the day they are human and will miss shots. As fans, we have to do our job to remain calm and show support for this team.

Social media plays a big part in how we view and express ourselves, for the players and team we support. As a Wildcat fan, whether it’s during a game or immediately after the game, it’s easy to say things that may come across the wrong way. Maybe you don’t agree with Sean Miller’s decision making or how a certain player is performing, that’s fair, but do keep in mind some of the players do have social media accounts and what you are saying can be seen by them.

As an outsider, it easy to attack or criticize the Wildcats, but unless you are an actual player for the team, it’s hard to truly understand the pressure and expectations they are facing. Heading into this season those expectations were especially high for the three starting freshmen. Even though at times they haven’t delivered this team, they are 19-8 overall and 9-5 in the Pac-12 with 4 games left to play. It could be worse, just look at Washington.

Arizona Wildcats Basketball

Similar to the Wildcats, the Huskies had high expectations heading into this season with one of the best recruiting classes in the conferences. Yet they have struggled overall at 13-15 and last place in the Pac-12 at 3-12. So yes, it could be worse for the Wildcats.

The difference between these two teams is that the Wildcats have found a way to come up with some key wins in the conference playing, including two sweeps (one home and one away).

This team does have a difficult road trip ahead with the LA schools, USC and UCLA, but if they are able to at least get a sweep and then come back home and sweep the Washington schools again, they are right back in the mix atop the Pac-12 tourney. They still have a slight possibility of getting a first-round bye in the conference tourney and will likely get a 5-10 seed in the NCAA Tournament. So everything considered, they can still turn things around and go on a possible run in March. Gotta believe!

Since the loss to the Ducks, two former players and a current player for the Wildcats have come out and showed the support for this team. The underlying message they are sending to Wildcat fans is to stop with the criticism and remain calm. We agree!

https://twitter.com/iramandoesit/status/1231632994894405633?s=20

At Zona Zealots, through good and bad times, we have always tried to remain as positive as we can. Even though sometimes we may feel strongly about something, it’s not worth it. Just keep it to yourself. At the end of the day, this loss to the Oregon Ducks is just one basketball game. There will be many more games the Wildcats can win. Let us all just remain calm! As always, Bear Down, Arizona!