Arizona basketball fans Leanne Lisalda (right) and Kim Levin watch with disappointment during the final seconds of UA's loss to Louisville in the semifinals of the Midwest Regional of the NCAA Tournament on Friday afternoon. The fans were at Sam Hughes' Place Championship Dining, 446 N. Campbell Ave.
Wildcat fans wearing red and blue packed a local bar and restaurant Friday to watch what turned out to be the end of the Wildcats’ run in the NCAA Tournament, one that took the team further than many had expected.
More than 300 University of Arizona students and family members were at Sam Hughes’ Place Championship Dining, 446 N. Campbell Ave., to cheer on their team.
But UA lost to the Louisville Cardinals 103-64 in a Sweet 16 game in the NCAA Tournament.
“It’s sad to see we lost, but at the same time, I never thought we would even get this far, or that we’d come close to reaching this point, so that was great” said UA senior Joseph Rodriguez.
The 22-year-old was there with his father, Ron Rodriguez, who was visiting from Phoenix as part of parents weekend for Joseph’s fraternity.
“At least we had a good time with friends and it was pretty cool to have our dads here for the game,” Joseph Rodriguez said.
As the second half wound down with UA losing by more than 30 points, many fans left the bar.
Suzette Valenzuela, a UA alumni, and her friends stayed until the end.
She said she was proud of the UA team for making it this far, no matter the outcome.
“I knew before the game that Louisville had a very strong team and unless they didn’t get enough sleep last night, they would be tough to beat,” she said. “But I’m still happy they got to play (Louisville).”
Some fans shook their heads on their way out the door; others shrugged their shoulders when discussing the game with friends.
“We are leaving without a win but at least we can have the victory of getting this far in the tournament,” Joseph Rodriguez said.
Arizona loses to Louisville
Arizona loses to Louisville 103-64
Arizona played Louisville in the third round of the NCAA tournament Friday afternoon. The UA lost 103-64. Fans gathered at Sam Hughes’ Place Championship Dining, 446 N. Campbell Ave., to watch the game.
Producer: VAL CANEZ/Tucson Citizen
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Arizona basketball fans and UA students (from left) Christina Searby, Chris Waters and Carrie Hardesty cheer for the Wildcats as they play Louisville in the first half Friday afternoon. The fans were at Sam Hughes' Place Championship Dining, 446 N. Campbell Ave., enjoying the game.
Source: VAL CANEZ/Tucson CitizenSlide 2 of 15 [Next | Previous].
Arizona basketball fans Leanne Lisalda (right) and Kim Levin watch as the UA plays Louisville in the second half.
Source: VAL CANEZ/Tucson CitizenSlide 3 of 15 [Next | Previous].
Arizona basketball fans Leanne Lisalda (right) and Kim Levin watch with disappointment as the UA loses to Louisville in the final seconds.
Source: VAL CANEZ/Tucson CitizenSlide 4 of 15 [Next | Previous].
Arizona basketball fans Rusty and Mary Garrett cheer for the Wildcats at Sam Hughes' Place Championship Dining.
Source: VAL CANEZ/Tucson CitizenSlide 5 of 15 [Next | Previous].
Arizona basketball fans Chris Larocca (left) and Jennifer Crawford watch the game.
Source: VAL CANEZ/Tucson CitizenSlide 6 of 15 [Next | Previous].
Arizona basketball fans Joseph Rodriguez (left) and his dad, Ron Rodriguez, watch the game.
Source: VAL CANEZ/Tucson CitizenSlide 7 of 15 [Next | Previous].
Arizona basketball fans and UA students (from left) Zach Nadler, Kiersten Abraham and Courtney Wells enjoy the UA-Louisville game.
Source: VAL CANEZ/Tucson CitizenSlide 8 of 15 [Next | Previous].
Arizona basketball fans (from left) Lyndsey Maher, Marisela Celaya and Haley Patterson cheer for the Wildcats.
Source: VAL CANEZ/Tucson CitizenSlide 9 of 15 [Next | Previous].
Arizona plays Louisville in the first half of an NCAA Midwest regional men's college basketball tournament semifinal game Friday, March 27, 2009, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Source: MARK DUNCAN/The Associated PressSlide 10 of 15 [Next | Previous].
Arizona's Nic Wise (13) looks to pass against Louisville's Terrence Jennings during the first half.
Source: MICHAEL CONROY/The Associated PressSlide 11 of 15 [Next | Previous].
Louisville's Earl Clark (5) grabs a rebound against Arizona's Fendi Onobun and Louisville's Samardo Samuels (24) during the first half.
Source: MICHAEL CONROY/The Associated PressSlide 12 of 15 [Next | Previous].
Louisville's Earl Clark (5) knocks the ball away from Arizona's Jordan Hill (43) in the second half.
Source: DARRON CUMMINGS/The Associated PressSlide 13 of 15 [Next | Previous].
Arizona interim coach Russ Pennell (right) talks to Jordan Hill in the second half.
Source: DARRON CUMMINGS/The Associated PressSlide 14 of 15 [Next | Previous].
Arizona's Chase Budinger (left) and Jordan Hill sit on the bench in the final seconds of a 103-64 loss to Louisville.
Source: DARRON CUMMINGS/The Associated PressSlide 15 of 15 [Next | Previous].
Arizona's David Bagga (left) and Fendi Onobun sit in the locker room after a 103-64 loss to Louisville.
Source: DARRON CUMMINGS/The Associated Press
