The Big Dance. March Madness. Ole…bracket-face.

Whatever you call it, the NCAA men’s basketball tournament has returned in all its bracket-busting glory. And that’s almost always good news for University of Arizona basketball fans — and for the Wildcats, as well.

The Arizona Wildcats have been a No. 10 seed three times, and lost in the first round each time. For the first time, Sean Miller and the ‘Cats are a No. 6 seed. They’ll face Belmont in the first round of the 2013 NCAA tourney. Chris Morrison-US PRESSWIRE

Sean Miller’s squad (25-7, 12-6) will face No. 11 Belmont (26-6, 14-2) on March 21 in Salt Lake City (time TBD).

It might be the 31st trip to the Big Dance for Wildcats, but it’s the first time they’ve ever been a six seed.

Since seeding began in 1985, Arizona has been a No. 1 seed and a No. 2 seed five times each. They’ve been a No. 3 seed four times and a No. 10 seed three times. The Wildcats have also twice danced as a No. 4, 5, 8 and 9 seeds. And, once in 2009, they were a No. 12.

Arizona has never been a No. 7, 11, 13, 14, 15 nor 16 seed. The year they were No. 12 (2009), they rolled to the Sweet Sixteen before being upended by this year’s No. 1 seed, Louisville.

During the seeded-tournament era they’ve amassed a 44-25 record.

The Wildcats have been bounced from the tourney in the first round 11 times, the latest coming in 2008 to West Virginia. The next most frequented round, however, is the Sweet Sixteen, with six appearances.

Arizona has never squared off against Belmont, the Ohio Valley Conference champs, but Sean Miller is 1-0 versus the Bruins.

The Wildcats are 4-1 all-time against the Ohio Valley Conference, with wins against Austin Peay, Eastern Illinois, Morehead State and Murray State (the only OVC team to dole the UA a loss).

From Oscar Robertson’s No. 1 to Wayne Gretzky’s iconic No. 99, uniform numbers are as much a defining trait for a player as is his cross-over dribble, slap shot or blazing fastball.

Major League Baseball is rife with numbers tradition. Think Babe Ruth’s No. 3, Mickey Mantle’s No. 7 or Willie Mays’ No. 24. But one number is more synonymous with power than all of them:

The No. 44.

No. 44’s have been all-time home run kings (Hank Aaron). They’ve been World Series legends (Reggie Jackson). They’ve even had entire bodies of water named after them (McCovey Cove).

It’s a number that used to make pitchers tremble in their stirrups. It’s an integer once owned by burly, mustachioed, lumberjacks of men such Ken Phelps^, Gorman Thomas and Jeff Burroughs (631 career home runs combined) — not pitchers with names such as Ron Darling or John Lamb (combined 239 career home runs allowed).

Above the double four’s on the back of a jersey should be panic-inspiring names such as Butch Huskey, Brian Hunter and Bombo Rivera, even if they only hit a combined 121 career home runs wearing the integer. It’s the fear that counts.

The atomic number 44 is Ruthenium, for George Herman’s sake!

But it seems as if No. 44 as a slugger’s number is that of a woebegone power era — one that eschewed steroids for beer guts.

There are 25 men wearing No. 44 in the Major Leagues this spring. Of them, 18 are pitchers, four are non-roster invitees and three are coaches. Five teams (Braves, Brewers, Giants, Orioles and Yankees) have retired the number.

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From Arizona Stadium to the Zona Zoo, what’s not to love about the Arizona Wildcats today, Valentine’s Day and the 101st birthday of the Grand Canyon State?

To celebrate, legendary University of Arizona quarterback John Button Salmon takes us through the 101 things he loves about his Arizona Wildcats:

Bear Down! The 101 things I love about the Arizona Wildcats on this Valentine’s Day and 101st birthday of Arizona…

— John Button Salmon (@GR8SalmonsGhost) February 14, 2013

101: Beating Arizona State in Water Polo

31 Mar 1997: Coach Lute Olson of Arizona Wildcats hugs guard Miles Simon and center AJ Bramlett after the NCAA Championship game against the Kentucky Wildcats at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana. Arizona won the game 84 – 79. Mandatory Credit: Bria

100: The hidden tunnels of Bear Down Gym

99: The Nov. 21, 1986 wedding of Wilbur and Wilma Wildcat. Happy Valentine’s Day, you two love kittens!

98: Terry Francona. Tito!

97: “Nice shot, buddy!”

96:  The baddest alumni ever: Jay Dobyns

95: The smell of Wilbur’s fur after an August football game

94: Beating Arizona State in Track & Field

93: From Brian Anderson to Alan Zinter and the 68 other ex-Cats’ who reached the Major Leagues

92: The anticipation that builds from the muffled roar of the crowd and UA Band as you enter McKale Center for a basketball game

91: UA alum Jim Furyk’s loopy swing

90: THE OOH AHH MAN!!

89. Beating Arizona State in soccer

Seth Mejias-Brean (5) and Brandon Dixon (22) hug. Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports

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