When it comes to the 2024 NCAA Tournament, the Arizona Men's Basketball team wasn't dealt any surprises — except for a relatively easy path to the Elite Eight. The Arizona Women's Basketball team, on the other hand, had to bite their nails and wait. After plenty of public pressure, support from USC head coach Lindsey Gottlieb, and a remarkable late-season turnaround, Adia Barnes and her Wildcats were dealt one of the Last Four In spots.
Wildcat country went into a frenzy, so let's take a look at some of the reactions from some big names and loud voices on the scene.
The moment:
LET’S GO!!!!! 🕺🏽🕺🏽🕺🏽#MadeForIt x #LeaveALegacy pic.twitter.com/aTK6pRlFa9
— Arizona Basketball (@ArizonaWBB) March 18, 2024
The media reacts:
When your job is to write about and report on a sports team, the readers and audience often forget why we start writing in the first place: we're diehard, loyal fans who want to see all of Arizona Athletics succeed.
ARIZONA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL IS IN.
— Jason Scheer (@jasonscheer) March 18, 2024
Arizona women's basketball is going to the Big Dance.
— Michael Lev (@MichaelJLev) March 18, 2024
Wildcats will play an 11 vs. 11 play-in game vs. Auburn in Storrs. Winner gets 6-seed Syracuse.
Arizona had the most unique roster situation in women’s college basketball and got into the tournament. Props to Adia Barnes and her team.
— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) March 18, 2024
Let’s not forget how much work these ladies have put in ❤️❤️
— TorresOnArizona (@TorresOnArizona) March 18, 2024
Our women’s basketball team deserves to be in the bracket https://t.co/8t0xPZrsFC
The fellas get the news:
It may seem like the players and Tommy Lloyd don't have many emotions here, but that's because they're already working on the game plan. Keshad Johnson is living it up, though.
Arizona lands the No. 2 seed in the West Region and will face Long Beach State: pic.twitter.com/sIIOb3vg3j
— Troy Hutchison (@THutch1995) March 17, 2024
Poking fun:
It's also never a bad time for some healthy jaunting with the team up north. On an unrelated note, did you know that in the entire Pac-12 era, every team won a regular season Pac-12 championship, won the Pac-12 Tournament, or took home a National Championship except one? Guess who.
Live look at the basketball programs in the state of Arizona. pic.twitter.com/wuBxGLZxnY
— PawcAZt (@thePawcAZt) March 18, 2024
Reservations:
Some fans of the men's team are questioning their ability to stay consistent and play their best basketball for six straight games. This concern is justified, but I wouldn't stoop as low as calling them college basketball's Los Angeles Chargers — okay, maybe sometimes.
Arizona basketball is the Chargers of college hoops
— Mort (@Hamess22) March 18, 2024
Arizona being a 2 seed underscores the point that the 2 and 3 seeds are hugely vulnerable and will not enter this NCAA Tournament with elevated status. https://t.co/YCT5qj72iD
— Matt Zemek (@MattZemek) March 16, 2024
Other sports voicing support:
Arizona's Baseball, Softball, and Women's Tennis teams all took to social media to wish their ball-bouncing counterparts luck in the big dance.
Congratulations to @ArizonaMBB and @ArizonaWBB! Let the madness begin 😼 #BearDown https://t.co/Lhy8usaHgR
— Arizona Baseball (@ArizonaBaseball) March 18, 2024
LET’S GO! 🪩
— Arizona Softball (@ArizonaSoftball) March 18, 2024
Good luck, @ArizonaMBB & @ArizonaWBB!
Can’t wait to cheer you on all month. https://t.co/RR6IwTlKqB
Bear Down, @ArizonaWBB and @ArizonaMBB! Can't wait to cheer you both on https://t.co/99DYXjBY19
— Arizona Women's Tennis (@ArizonaWTennis) March 18, 2024
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