Lute Olson was used to stomping on the rest of the Pac-10.
Photo by Michael Chow/The Arizona Republic

The official birth of the Pac-12 is Friday, ending the conference’s 33-year run as a 10-team league.

If you’re a fan of the Arizona Wildcats and averted your eyes during the look back at Pac-10 football, it’s safe to come out now.

Here’s how the schools stack up in terms of won-loss record, NCAA tournament appearances, Final Fours and championships after 33 years of Pac-10 basketball.

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Do you still feel the love?
(Tucson Citizen photo)

Saturday began with Sean Miller as the Arizona Wildcats’ head basketball coach. Saturday ended with the same guy in the same position.

All is well in the Wildcat Universe.

At least until next time.

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Hoops hopes have been high since Sean Miller arrived in Tucson.
Photo by Renee Bracamonte/Tucson Citizen

It’s impossible to say the Arizona Wildcats basketball team did anything but overachieve in 2011. Sean Miller has the UA hoops program back on track and ahead of pace.

So where does that put Miller in terms of his biggest quest: Living up to the standard set by Lute Olson?

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No back-to-back this time.
Photo by Michael Chow/The Arizona Republic

I’m a pretty optimistic guy.

I tend to expect positive things to happen. I think the next day will be a good day at work. I believe tomorrow I’ll handle things better with the kids. I keep renewing my Arizona football season tickets.

But even I wasn’t that optimistic.

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Now's the time when players bend over backwards for wins.
Photo by Rob Schumacher/The Arizona Republic

If the NCAA tournament is the main course, the conference tourneys are the appetizers. Every time you turn on the TV somebody is trying to beat a buzzer.

TWIT-Pac welcomes the good stuff before the great stuff.

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