The Arizona Wildcats were able to maintain their impressive current NCAA tournament appearance streak with one of the final at-large bids. Many had thought Arizona ’s streak was going to end given their shakey season thus far and dropping their last 5 of 6 games down the stretch.
Former Arizona Basketball Coach Lute Olson.
In 1983, Lute Olson arrived at Arizona, took over a horrible program and proceeded to lead it to 23 consecutive NCAA tournaments. Last year Olson took a leave of absence and the wildcats still made it to 24. This year it was 25 in a decision that surprised many of the bracket “experts.” Even the team’s hometown paper, the Arizona Republic didn’t give them much hope- their headline- “Cats’ tourney chances about nil”
Even the famous Dicky V made a case against Arizona.
Also of note - another long streak of tournament appearances ends. For the first time since 1991, the Kentucky Wildcats will not be dancing. Their streak ends at 17 and the Wildcats will be relegated to the NIT where they will play the Runnin’ Rebs of UNLV.
The University of North Carolina of the famed ACC holds the all-time streak of 27 consecutive appearances and will be this year’s #1 seed in the South Region.
