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)

Arizona alum Richard Jefferson takes it to former ex-Wildcat Channing Frye during the 2011 NBA Western Conference semifinals. Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

PG – Damon Stoudamire

C – Channing Frye

SG – Gilbert Arenas

PG – Jason Terry

C – Derrick Williams

SG – Steve Kerr

PG – Mike Bibby

C – Loren Woods

SG/F – Sean Elliott

PG – Miles Simon

C – Jordan Hill

SG/F – Andre Iguodala

PG – Khalid Reeves

C – Tom Tolbert

SG/F – Salim Stoudamire

PG – Jason Gardner

C – Sean Rooks

SG/F – Chase Budinger

PG – Marcus Williams

C – Bob Elliott

SG/F – Michael Dickerson

PERSONAL FAVORITE:

PG – Richard Jefferson

C – Channing Frye

SG/F – Hassan Adams

(Yes, I know Jefferson isn’t a PG)

Don’t agree with me? I know you don’t. Let’s hear your trio.

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.

The Denver Nuggets acquired Iguodala late Thursday night in a four-team trade, the centerpiece being Dwight Howard joining the Los Angeles Lakers.

Trade is official. My thanks to Philly and Sixers fans for your support over the last 8 yrs.

— Andre Iguodala (@mindofAI9) August 10, 2012

I’m excited to be joining the @denvernuggets and I know my best basketball is ahead of me!

— Andre Iguodala (@mindofAI9) August 10, 2012

Iguodala averaged 12.4 ppg last season, nearly three points fewer than his career average. He finished right around his career 6.1 rebound average.

The effort was enough to land his first NBA All-Star nod. In the playoffs, the shooting guard was instrumental in the No. 8 seeded Philadelphia 76ers’ upet of the No. 1 Chicago Bulls.

Before he could rest, he was in Team USA’s training camp and shipping off to London for the XXX Olympic Games. He’s scored 32 points in six games, including 13 versus Argentina and nine against Nigeria in pool play.

Now back to the task at hand… #Goin4Gold

— Andre Iguodala (@mindofAI9) August 10, 2012

With a semifinals win today over Argentina, Team USA will advance to the gold medal game against Spain.

And if they beat Spain, Iguodala will need a new house in Denver with extra space for some new hardware.

WHO IS GOING WHERE?

Lakers: Dwight Howard, Chris Duhon, Earl Clark

Magic: Arron Afflalo, Nicola Vucevic, Al Harrington, Josh McRoberts, Moe Harkless, Chritian Eyenga, a conditional Lakers’ first-round pick, a conditional 2015 second-round pick, the lower of the Nuggets’ two 2014 picks, a 2013 second-round pick, and a protected pick from the Philadelphia 76ers

Nuggets: Andre Iguodala

76ers: Andrew Bynum, Jason Richardson

UPDATE: Arizona is a No. 1 seed in the NIT. The Wildcats will play host to Bucknell on March 14 at 7 p.m. MST.

Jason Gardner hit the rim. Jamelle Horne clanked the iron as well.

When Kyle Fogg’s season-saving attempt landed on the hardwood, rather than the bottom of the net, the Colorado faithful refrained from chanting “air ball.”

Arizona guard Kyle Fogg drives during the conference championship game Saturday against Colorado. Fogg's jumper fell short at the buzzer giving the Buffaloes their first-ever Pac-12 tourney title. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE

They were too busy reveling in the Buffaloes’ first Pac-12 Tournament title.

This is the time of year where fatal misses outnumber miraculous buzzer beaters.

And Fogg’s highly-contested blank — albeit not in an NCAA tournament game — will remain forever seared into the memory of Wildcats fans’ all-time failed game-winning shots.

Saturday’s do-or-die Pac-12 Championship game for all intents-and-purposes might as well have been a NCAA tournament game.

But Arizona Nation should, and cannot, hold Fogg solely accountable in the Wildcats’ 53-51 loss in Los Angeles’ Staples Center.

Unfortunately, the miss will be a vision that endures for posterity sake — not the lackluster energy, surrendered leads or blown opportunities.

There’s a way for Fogg to rehab his image as the newest member in the fraternity of Wildcats’ buzzer-beater blankers: go out and win the National Invitational Tournament.

Where Gardner’s miss against Kansas in 2003 and Horne’s final-seconds brick against Connecticut last season denied the Wildcats a trip to the Final Four, Fogg has the chance to leave Arizona without “the air ball” being the final indelible image of what’s become a remarkable little career in Tucson.

In fact, a strong NIT run, if not title, could redeem the entire 2011-12 Wildcat squad.

Let’s be honest. They weren’t going to win the NCAA tournament. As Wildcat fans witnessed last year, the degree of difficulty to be the last team standing in April is enormous — even with a No. 2 overall NBA draft pick (Derrick Williams) leading your efforts.

Where upstart middle-tier programs such as VCU and Butler have given hope to the “little guys” the past few seasons, the odds remain astronomically against a squad such as this year’s Wildcats.

This is a team that saw three freshmen inserted into its thin seven-man rotation due to injuries, had players playing out of position all season long and witnessed the implosion of two highly-touted recruits who were supposed to make an immediate difference.

Making matters worse was the emotional ebb-and-flow that was Kevin Parrom’s season (was shot twice in the leg and suffered the death of his mother within a three-week span early in the school year, all before a season-ending injury).

For Arizona to win big would be the stuff of modern-day Hickory High folk lore — presumably with Solomon Hill playing the role of Jimmy Chitwood.

The resilience of this year’s team to even have a chance at regular season’s end should be enough to endear it into Wildcat history as a team that over-achieved. Instead of going down as a squad that failed to live up to the fan-bases’ monumental expectations.

Arizona saw their NCAA Tourney hopes all but dashed during Saturday's 53-51 loss in the Pac-12 Tournament title game. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-US PRESSWIRE

Only time will tell, of course. And a strong NIT showing certainly will help ingrain the image of the former rather than the latter.

It might sound like an apologists’ plea for a program that expects to compete every season. But is it more memorable or meaningful to play at least one game in the NCAA tournament or to make a serious run, if not win, the NIT?

That Arizona even got this far with what they’ve had to overcome is a testament to Sean Miller.

The recruits are rolling in to learn under the head coach’s tutelage. And Arizona basketball will return to its heyday — possibly as soon as next season.

As for this year’s Wildcats, the NIT might be the perfect platform to carve their own niche in the program’s annals. After all, plenty of former Arizona teams have gone one-and-done in the tournament. None have ever won the NIT, especially considering the Wildcats haven’t played in the secondary tourney since 1951.

That would give Arizona Nation a unique way of remembering this team.

And at the very least, give Kyle Fogg one more shot.

ARIZONA – COLORADO
PAC-12 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Live Tweets from Arizona Wildcat Nation

This is it! Let’s cut down the nets today!!! #BearDown

— Wilbur T. Wildcat (@OfficialWilbur) March 10, 2012

 

"Great turnout for Wildcat Walk at LA Live. #LAisWildcatCountry" Arizona Athletic Director Greg Byrne. Photo Tweeted by @Greg_Byrne

Re: NCAA tournament: Go Az Cats! The ball just needs to go thru that metal hoop. Let’sgo.

— Garry Shandling (@GarryShandling) March 10, 2012

Arizona got their biggest game of season tonight! Nothing but confident for the boys! #UofA

— chase budinger (@CBudinger) March 10, 2012

Beardown Cats!!

— Taryne Mowatt (@tarynemowatt) March 10, 2012

Walking thru lax there’s a lot of sad ppl from the other pac12 schools that arnt in the game 2nite.

— David Roberts (@DrobAZ81) March 10, 2012

A R I Z O N A#beardown

— Trevin Wade (@TwoStarWade) March 10, 2012

Can’t see the Pac-12 Chip game in Italy but #beardown! #Arizona!. LET’S GO #ZONA!!

— Mustafa Shakur (@StafShakur) March 10, 2012

AZ softball watching and supporting men’s bball on a rainy Waco day! @AZATHLETICS @UofA#BearDownArizona#Pac12

— Alicia Hollowell (@AliciaHollowell) March 10, 2012

Bear Down Arizona!!! - Arizona punter Kyle Dugandzic. Photo Tweeted by @kfifa13

 

 

Nice Block B lav

— Garic Wharton (@GEEbby16) March 10, 2012

Watching Colorado/Arizona. Not sure why I’m doing that. Switching to Baylor/Missouri.Ah, basketball. That’s better.

— The Bill Walton Trip (@NotBillWalton) March 11, 2012

This game is stressing me out

— Courtney Karst (@Courtyk23) March 11, 2012

Which team has played four games in four days?

— danny martinez (@DannyNMartinez) March 11, 2012

Boulder’s elevation is a plus for the Buffs. Even playing at sea level. Unreal. #VivaLosGatos

— Mark Boswell ☮ (@5hrzns) March 11, 2012

#LetsGoCats #LetsGoCats #beardownarizona we need to take advantage of these misses!!

— Dwight Childs (@DCLaserShow4) March 11, 2012

Feelin a sweet comeback!! #pac12tourney #beardownarizona

— Caitlin Lowe (@CaitlinLowe) March 11, 2012

Dang reggie miller goin in on J.mayes

— Garic Wharton (@GEEbby16) March 11, 2012

I’m about unfollow so buff fans! I am just so mad

— Cursty Jackson (@C_jaxon13) March 11, 2012

In the tank. Take my belt and my shoelaces.

— The Rick Romo (@TheRickRomo) March 11, 2012

Im still confused on that shot selection..whyy???!!!!

— Garic Wharton (@GEEbby16) March 11, 2012

Still proud to be a wildcat! Way to fight boys!#beardownarizona #Pac12Tourney

— Brittany Lastrapes (@blastrapes35) March 11, 2012

It honestly didn’t look like we wanted it till like 3min to go

— mark watley (@mwatley237) March 11, 2012

Not how I wanted it to turn out. My heart goes out to our seniors. I thank them for being Wildcats.

— Phoebe Chalk (@Dr_Chalk) March 11, 2012

@AZATHLETICS Don’t make me and @GregKinnear have to come to every game next year, so we can win a championship. Cause we’lll do it!!

— Garry Shandling (@GarryShandling) March 11, 2012

ARIZONA-UCLA

As Told By the Snarky Palooka

Crackin’ Wise Throughout the Game

Follow Live at @BearDownAndBlog

UCLA controlling the paint, but Arizona in command of the ugly colors.

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I miss the days when Kyle Fogg and Jamelle Horne teamed up to create the Fogg Horne.

Sean Miller reacts in horror as UCLA big man Joshua Smith confuses the Arizona head coach for a pork chop. Chris Morrison-US PRESSWIRE

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Every game at McKale is senior day if you look at the crowd in the lower bowl.

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The lavender plant is often used as an anti-inflammatory agent. Ironic, because Brendon Lavender is on fire!

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NCAA athletes should be paid. No more taking advantage of these these free throws.

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Halftime. Time to stretch the legs and find that guy who sits courtside every game and compliment him on his curly afro and bad sweater.

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If this game were Match Play scoring, UA would be up 1 thru 20, or 1 & 20. Either way, the Wildcat in question would not be Tiger.

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“Zona” on front of jerseys not an attempt at being trendy. Nike too cheap to pay for all those “A-R-I’s.”

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 UCLA’s Joshua Smith is quickly building toward five fouls because his nachos on the bench are getting cold.

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James Franco apparently isn’t the only quality actor to come out of UCLA. Wait, did I say “quality?”

UCLA’s Lazeric Jones is blinded by a combination of being whipped by a Jesse Perry dreadlock and the Red-out of the Arizona faithful. Chris Morrison-US PRESSWIRE

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Arizona has more turnovers today than Pepperidge Farms.

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Arizona has no field goals in the last four minutes. When did Alex Zendejas join the basketball team?

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UCLA’s Joshua Smith can’t fight off his hunger with all the rally noodles waving in the Zona Zoo.

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Kyle Fogg should lead the Wildcats in charges drawn, because it’s very hard to drive through a Fogg.

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CBS commentator is not kidding when he says “two big free throws by Joshua Smith.”

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Arizona wins! Tucson’s Dirtbags erupts! The bar on Speedway is also in a tizzy right now.

Angelo Chol has certainly been called many different names this season by PAC-12 foes who have unwittingly driven to the hoop and into the Arizona big man’s path.

The shot-blocking specialist has swatted a 23 shots on the season, 15 in conference play – both team highs.

How a 6-foot, 9-inch- Sudanese Goliath, who ranks second all-time in the history of high school basketball for blocks and second in California state history in career rebounds, eludes a moniker is an enigma.

So it’s time to anoint Chol a handle. Help us decide…

Chris Morrison-US PRESSWIRE; Lousy illustration by Christopher C. Wuensch

OR

Photo by Chris Morrison-US PRESSWIRE; Lousy illustration by Christopher C. Wuensch

OR

Photo by Jason O. Watson-US PRESSWIRE; Lousy illustration by Christopher C. Wuensch

NAMES THAT DIDN’T MAKE THE CUT:

Chol Train

Chol Mate

Three Chol Punch

Rock N’ Chol

For Whom The Bell Chols

The Grinch Who Chol Christmas

Kaiser Chol

Chol-ler Coaster

Chol-ling Stone

Tostitos Fiesta Chol

Chol Foods Market

Exit Chol

Chol Dancer

Chol Lotta Love

Chol Your Roll

SUGGESTIONS FROM THE GALLERY:

FROM ZANE WILSON:

“The CHOLupa”

“The ChOLhuahua”

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FROM SOMPASONG SENGSOURYA:

“Not HBO, not Cinemax because Thursdays and Saturdays is “Chol Time”"

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FROM DOR:

“Obviously, for Arizona, Angelo is the Chol-Era Cure.”

PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SEND ME YOUR SUGGESTIONS AND I’LL POST THEM

BEARDOWNANDBLOG@GMAIL.COM

 @BearDownAndBlog

In full disclosure, “The Chol Tender” was Tweeted to me from Guero Canelo’s Bathroom by Section 23 @MPShrike

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In full disclosure, TucsonCitizen.com’s Anthony Gimino came up with “En-Chol-Lada.” If you don’t like it, let him hear it at AG’s Wildcat Report.

It’s elite company for the former Wildcat, who joins such notables as Lute Olson, Sean Elliott and Steve Kerr to name three of the 10 Arizona alums to receive the conference’s highest honor.

Jefferson, now a 10-year NBA veteran, averaged 11.2 and 5.0 rebounds per-game in three seasons in Tucson. His final campaign ended in the 2001 National championship game — a loss to Duke.

Between graduating from Phoenix’ MoonValley High School and pulling on a New Jersey Nets’ jersey to tip-off his professional career, Jefferson became a fan favorite with his high-flying aerial assaults on the rims.

Not many of those Arizona loyalist in the Old Pueblo will argue Jefferson’s status among Wildcat elite. No one can question his dedication to his alma mater, either. Look no further than the Richard Jefferson Gymnasium on the UA campus for proof.

 This year’s class of a dozen former athletes and/or coaches reads like a who’s who of “remind me who he is again.”

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Arizona alum Richard Jefferson takes it to fellow ex-Wildcat Channing Frye in the NBA Western Conference semifinals. Frye and the Suns swept the Spurs to advance to the conference finals. Mark J. Rebilas-US PRESSWIRE

THE 2012 PAC-12 HALL OF HONOR CLASS

Richard Jefferson, Arizona

Kurt Nimphius, ArizonaState

Lamond Murray, California

Burdette Haldorson, Colorado

Jim Barnett, Oregon

A.C. Green, OregonState

George Selleck, Stanford

Ed O’Bannon, UCLA

Sam Barry, USC

Arnie Ferrin, Utah

George Irvine, Washington

Steve Puidokas, WashingtonState

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PAST WILDCAT HONOREES

2002 – Sean Elliott

2003 – Steve Kerr

2004 – Khalid Reeves

2005 – Pete Williams

2006 – Damon Stoudamire

2007 – Chris Mills

2008 – Miles Simon

2009 – Lute Olson

2010 – Mike Bibby

2011 – Michael Dickerson

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So how does an alumnus become eligible for the esteemed conference honor? And, using that criteria, who should be the next Wildcat alum inducted into the conference’s Hall of Honor? Who is even eligible?

According to the Arizona Athletics:

Each Pac-12 institution will be responsible for nominating the honoree from their individual school. Following are the criteria that should be considered, when determining your nominee.

1. Nominees may be former athletes, coaches or administrators.

2. Nominees that are former athletes are only eligible for consideration provided a period of five years has passed since completion of his period of eligibility.

3. All nominated athletes must have met the eligibility requirements of his time.

4. When selecting an outstanding athlete, consider these elements (not listed in order of importance).

a. Winning a national championship

b. Selection to a national team

c. Selection as an All American

d. Recognition in the National Hall of Fame.

e. Winning an Olympic medal

f. Membership on an Olympic team

So which former Wildcats are eligible?

The breakdown:

A)    WINNING A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Who is eligible: A.J. Bramlett; Bennett Davison, Donnell Harris and Jason Terry

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B)    SELECTION TO A NATIONAL TEAM

Who is eligible: Gilbert Arenas; Bob Elliott; Jason Gardner; Jordan Hill; Andre Iguodala; Roger Johnson; Sean Rooks; Salim Stoudamire; Jason Terry; Luke Walton; Loren Woods; Michael Wright…and Derrick Williams*

*Not eligible for five years

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C)    SELECTION AS AN ALL AMERICAN

Who is eligible: Jason Gardner; Salim Stoudamire; Jason Terry

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Richard Jefferson attempts to block an Andre Iguodala shot during a February game. Will Iggy follow RJ into the PAC-12 Hall of Honors? Howard Smith - US Presswire

D)    RECOGNITION IN THE NATIONAL HALL OF FAME

Who is eligible: None

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E)     WINNING AN OLYMPIC MEDAL

Who is eligible: None

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F)     MEMBERSHIP ON AN OLYMPIC TEAM

Who is eligible: Gilbert Arenas** and Andre Iguodala (2010)***

**2006-08 USA Men’s Senior National Team

***2010USABasketball FIBA World Championships

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THE SKINNY:

“Selection to a National Team” could apply to Arenas and Iguodala and their participation on USA Basketball squads.

If so, then all players in category “B” bump down to “C” and join Gardner, Stoudamire and Terry, who were Consensus All-Americans, while the rest were members of secondary All American lists.

Either way, they’re all eligible and it’s not worth the headache trying to decipher.

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Arizona has enough candidates to last them the next 15 years — 16 when you calculate the currently ineligible Derrick Williams into the mix.

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Based on this criterion, there is no way less established programs such as Washington State or Colorado can have a player inducted every year.

The Cougars have had one All American in their history. That would be Don Collins in 1980. Colorado has had two All Americans, and none since Chauncey Billups in 1997.

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The PAC-12 has more NCAA titles (15) than any other conference, but 11 of them belong to UCLA. That leaves only eligible players from Arizona’s 1997 championship (the conference’s last) and Oregon (1939), Stanford (1942) and Utah (1944).

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Winning an Olympic medal (E) is kind of superfluous if a candidate only has to be on an Olympic team (F) to be eligible.

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If the conference slacks on who is eligible, does it cheapen the selections from strong programs such as UCLA and Arizona?

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Does any of this really matter? The answer is no. Think of it as mostly as more Bear Down & Blog fun with semantics.

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SOME NOTABLE INELIGIBLE WILDCATS

Joseph Blair

Chase Budinger

Jud Buechler

Channing Frye

Reggie Geary

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There are plenty of former Wildcats to select. Some potential candidates for 2013:

Is former Wildcat Jason Terry Arizona's next PAC-12 Hall of Honors nominee? Matthew Emmons-US PRESSWIRE

JASON TERRY

Only Wildcat to win NCAA and NBA titles

PAC-10 Player of the year in 1999

Consensus All American in 1999

NBA Sixth-man Award winner in 2009

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JASON GARDNER

Pomeroy Naismith Player of the Year 2003

Consensus All American in 2003

No. 22 jersey retired by UA

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BOB ELLIOTT

Former All-time leading scorer in UA history

One of just 105 players in NCAA history with 2,000 points/1,000 rebs

All-American

Color commentator voice for NBA Live video game!

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SALIM STOUDAMIRE

Consensus All American in 2005

First Team John Wooden All-American in 2005

Finished 9th on NCAA all-time in 3-pt percentage list

Fourth all-time leading scorer in UA history

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ANDRE IGUODALA

Member of 2010 USA National Team (gold)

PAC-10 All Freshman team

All PAC-10 as sophomore

Honorable mention All American;

7-year NBA pro, 2011-12 All-Star

The University of Arizona and Colorado basketball teams square off tonight in a rematch of the squads’ Jan. 21 contest — a 64-63 Buffaloes’ win.

But before we look forward, let’s take a look back at that afternoon in Boulder: from a fan’s perspective.

On Jan. 21, I traded a chair along press row for a bench seat in the Coors Event Center stands on the campus of the University of Colorado in Boulder to welcome the Buffaloes’ basketball team to the PAC-12 — Arizona Wildcat style.

My day in extended, Tweet form:

Guy wearing a tight red Arizona jersey in the parking lot points at me and my UA sweatshirt and yells “Bear Down!”

I respond with a thumbs up.

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A Wildcat fan on the will-call line loudly bemoans Arizona’s McKale Ticket office because he’s at the wrong ticket window. 

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Arizona's Kyle Fogg gets physical against the Buffaloes. Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE

The doors open to the familiar sound of…the Arizona anthem Fight! Wildcats! Fight!…?

It isn’t just the band who travels well. Wildcat Nation and its red-T-shirt clad army is well represented in Boulder for today’s late-afternoon game.

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Arizona’s Kyle Fogg blanks the game’s first shot, a three point attempt. I’m sure there’s no significance to the miss.

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Colorado guard Carlon Brown misses a free throw and a chance at the first points of the game.

A comforting chant of “Nice shot, buddy,” rises up from the visiting Arizona section.

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Brown sinks his second attempt. Unlike in McKale — where the fans stay on their feet until an opponent scores — the CU fans take their seats after the first basket of the game.

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A 1-0 Buffaloes’ lead? I’m sure there’s no significance to the single point.

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The Wildcats and Buffaloes are fighting to keep pace with the PAC-12 leaders with two conference losses.

The irony being that these two schools squared off on the gridiron of Colorado’s Folsom Field in November with sole possession of last place in the PAC-12 South on the line. UA lost.

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Solomon Hill drains a three pointer to give Arizona what will prove to be its biggest lead of the game at eight points.

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Today’s tickets were a gift to my wife for our five-year anniversary. She’s a bigger Wildcat hoops fan than anyone I know. Prior to our nuptials, her zeal earned her a game-day moniker: “Happy Hands Hubbard.”

Happy Hands is clapping wildly after Hills’ bucket.

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Jesse Perry turns a Josiah Turner turnover into an assist with a murderous dunk. The throw down is the apex of a 10-0 run by the Cats, who now lead 37-32 with 2:40 left in the first half.

I’m fairly certain Perry got his entire elbow into the hoop on the dunk.

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Despite the Wildcats’ once eight-point-lead, the teams swap advantages seven times in the first half and knot up the score five times.

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Arizona head coach Sean Miller. Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE

In November, the Buffaloes football team used 75-mph winds to their advantage to down the Wildcats. That and shoddy UA defense.

Today, the strategy appears to be heat. This building is sweltering. Perhaps they could open the doors? It’s 30 degrees outside.

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The 5 year old behind me has taken to using my back as an ottoman. His parents don’t seem to mind.

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Tensions arise at the 1:50 mark of the first quarter after a Kevin Parrom foul.

Perhaps the heat in this building is frazzling nerves.

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Colorado’s Spencer Dwindle steals a pass with two second left and heaves a three-point attempt. No good. Arizona leads 39-35 at the break.

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The miss means Dwindle finishes the first half with 11 points, one behind half-leader Perry who has 12 points.

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Arizona is 2-11 from three-point range. I’m fairly sure they’ll get their act together in the second half from long distance.

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Halftime. Lots of time to think. I’m pondering how many times the media has used the headline “Buffaloes win by Dufault” in homage to Colorado forward Austin Dufault when I notice wood planks being laid onto “Sox” Walseth court. Looks like Irish folk dancing for our halftime entertainment. Looks like I’m going on a nacho run.

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Between wondering why the line is so slow, I deduce that former Buffaloes head coach Russell “Sox” Walseth is the Colorado equivalent to Arizona’s Lute Olson - only with 520 fewer career coaching wins.

My thoughts drift to why the Coors Event center doesn’t serve beer.

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Waiting for my cardboard chips with nacho cheese causes me to miss the first two minutes of the second half.

I’m told Arizona has missed four lay-ups and a Hill three-point attempt. At least the Wildcats still have the lead.

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Perhaps the altitude at 5,430 feet is affecting the Wildcats’ deep threats.

Let’s ask Arizona head coach Sean Miller:

“Clearly the altitude is a factor, but I wouldn’t say that’s why we didn’t win. There were a couple shots, and I don’t know if the thin air made the ball go long or short, but to me, it’s the open shots that we have to make.”

Thanks Arizona Athletics for the quote. (And sorry for spoiling the ending)

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My wife professes her love for Jesse Perry, who, ironically, shares the same uniform number as her all-time favorite Wildcat Michael Dickerson.

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No dunk in the Tunk. At 7:11, Colorado’s Shane Harris-Tunks botches a dunk attempt.

Add that to Andre Roberson’s missing shoe, which is now laying at half court, and it appears the Buffaloes are falling apart.

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I’m pissed that my section didn’t win a free burrito from Chipotle during a timeout.

The commotion makes me notice that the $10 off at Sports Authority coupon on the back of my ticker expired with the year 2011. Kyle Fogg has tied the game at 56 with a free throw, but I’m too busy booing my ticket stub to notice.

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I know this is the house that Chauncey Billups built, but is giant cardboard cut-out of his head necessary in the student section? What about the panda or cut-out of Eric Cartman from South Park?

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Regardless, kudos is in order to the CU student section for their free-throw psych outs. Arizona shoots 22-30 from the charity stripe for the game, but only 9-14 when facing the CU faithful.

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Is it me, or have the Wildcats not scored a field goal in a long time?

If eight minutes is long, then yes. Fogg’s three pointer isn’t just the Wildcats’ first of the second half at 3:39 remaining, it’s Arizona’s first field goal since the guard’s jumper at11:30.

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Jesse Perry stares down an imposing CU fanbase. Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE

Carlon Brown sticks a three-pointer with 1:19 to play to halt Arizona’s four-point run and two-point lead.

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Kyle Fogg is at the line with 1:01 left to play and a chance to tie it. Fogg leads the ‘Cats with a .821 free-throw percentage on the year. He’s got this.

Nope. Apparently he doesn’t.

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Brown attempts another three. This time he misses.

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Here we go. Less than 30 seconds to play. Arizona ball. Shot clock is off. One-point deficit.

This is basketball’s most exciting moment. It’s the equivalent to baseball’s “bases loaded, two outs, bottom of the ninth” and football’s on-side kick.

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The Wildcats are spreading the ball around well, but no one is taking it to the hoop. Finally the ball is kicked out to Parrom. 5…4…3…2…

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It’s going to be a long walk back to the car.

CU 64, UA 63

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At least the Colorado fans are acting as if they’ve won a big game before (insert sarcasm here.)

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Now, thanks to my anniversary gift, my diehard Arizona-fan wife is no longer talking to me.

Bear Down.