PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Arizona fans filled a popular University of Arizona sports bar to cheer on their Wildcats. At one point, the place was so packed that a line stretched around the front of the building.
Fans of the Wildcats, like Andrew Egan, packed into Dirtbags in Arcadia hours before tipoff.
“There’s only one expectation, and I think we all feel it, win,” Egan said.
A love for the University of Arizona runs in the Egan family.
“My wife, my son, and my other son all went to Arizona University; it’s a big deal,” Egan said.
And the stakes were higher than ever.
“It’s a bigger deal than you could ever imagine,” Conor Egan said. “I’ve been watching this team since I was as small as small can be.”
For longtime fans, the moment carried extra weight, and those just getting started shared the excitement.
“I hope they win, and just for a good game,” Valentina Smith said.
There were highs and there were lows. Luckily for these Wildcats, they’re one step closer to the ultimate victory.
“U of A had not been to the Final Four since 2001 and now we are going to the Final Four,” a fan said.
“I’ve seen my team lose in the finals, in the Super Bowl. I’m ready for a national championship. Let’s go,” another fan said.
One couple bought a one-way ticket to Indianapolis because they didn’t want to jinx the win. Now they’ll have to book that return flight.
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