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Arizona Basketball all-time round-by-round record in NCAA Tournament

Arizona Basketball is heading to the NCAA Tournament for the 38th time in program history. A vocal minority of Arizona fans claim this will be a one-and-done team, but history shows that's not the case. Let's look at Arizona's round-by-round record.

By Mason Duhon

Dec 2, 1988; Charlotte, NC, USA, FILE PHOTO; Arizona Wildcats guard Sean Elliott (32) in action
Dec 2, 1988; Charlotte, NC, USA, FILE PHOTO; Arizona Wildcats guard Sean Elliott (32) in action / Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
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Round of 64: 23-11

First:

Arizona was part of the inaugural field of 64 in the 1984-85 season's edition of the NCAA Tournament. The Lute Olson-led Wildcats earned the No. 10 seed in the West Region and lost to No. 7 seed Alabama 50-41.

Best:

This one is a toss-up separated by 10 years and just 1 point. The 1988 Arizona Wildcats were the most successful in terms of on-court results: the 'Cats entered the dance with a 31-2 record, a Pac-10 regular season championship, and a Pac-10 Tournament Championship. In the first round of the 1988 Tournament, the No. 1-seeded Wildcats steamrolled No. 16 Cornell by 40 points, 90-50.

In 1998, 10 full seasons later, the 'Cats entered March Madness sitting at 27-4 and as Pac-10 conference champions. No. 4-ranked and No. 1-seeded Arizona proceeded to beat No. 16 Nicholls State to a pulp in a 39-point blowout that ended 99-60. How can you choose just one when they were both so sweet?

Last:

The most recent Round of 64 game that Arizona played was the heartbreaker in 2022-23. No. 2 seed Arizona was stunned by No. 15 seed Princeton after winning the Pac-12 tournament for a second straight year.

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