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).

Former Wildcat Andre Iguodala is an Olympic champion. Streeter Lecka – Getty Images

FIBA, also known as the International Basketball Association, is toying with the idea of changing the format of the 2016 Olympic basketball tournament.

The proposal will embark from the traditonal five-man set to a three-on-three system.

Three-on-three poses an interesting lineup choice. For the sake of this argument, we’ll go with a point guard, a big man, and either an outside sharp-shooter or a small/power forward.

Some all-time University of Arizona hoops trios we’d like to see – if time existed in a vacuum:

(Some players will be asked to play slightly out of position – just roll with it)

(more…)

Former Wildcat Andre Iguodala is an Olympic champion. Streeter Lecka – Getty Images

There aren’t too many “firsts” to check off the University of Arizona basketball program’s “to do” list.

On Sunday, however, the red pen came out.

Andre Iguodala became the first Wildcat to win an Olympic gold medal when Team USA defeated Spain 107-100 in the title game of the XXX London Games.

The hardware makes him now eligible for induction into the Arizona’s Ring of Honor.

Iguodala didn’t score in the championship tilt and only saw 2:45 of action (1 rebound, 1 turnover and 2 fouls), but he did finished with 32 points for the tournament – including 13 against Argentina in the qualifying round.

Iggy became an NBA All-Star for the first time in his eight-year career this season. His No. 8 seeded Philadelphia 76ers upset No. 1 Chicago Bulls in the first round of the this year’s playoffs. Earlier this week, the Sixers dealt him to the Denver Nuggets as part of a four-team trade that sent Dwight Howard to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Iguodala’s first Tweet hours after winning the gold medal:

You can’t tell me nothin!!!

— Andre Iguodala (@mindofAI9) August 12, 2012

Wildcats have had success on the international scene for Team USA, but not as much as you’d expect from one of the more storied programs of the modern era.

(A testament to Lute Olson and Sean Miller’s “team first” mantras, perhaps?)

Richard Jefferson won a bronze medal as a member of Team USA for the 2004 Greek Games.

Sean Elliot and Steve Kerr were teammates on the Lute Olson-led World Games-winning United State’s squad in 1986.

Ex-Cat Robertas Javtokas played for the 2004 and 2008 Lithuanian national teams.

Iguodala was also a member of Team USA’s 2010 World Games championship team.

Technically, Iggy is the first Wildcat to win an Olympic gold medal in the Lute Olson and post-Lute Olson era.

Former Wildcat Leon Wood won a gold medal at the ’84 Los Angeles Games. Wood transfered to Cal-State Fullerton after the 1979-80 season, his first and only in Tucson, where he shot 38.7 percent and averaged 4.4 ppg.