Arizona and Arizona State play for the Territorial Cup in football, and things are just as heated when the two meet on the hardwood. The rivalry between the two schools began on the court long before they two met in football and dates back to 1913. The Wildcats have gotten the better of the Sun Devils throughout most of the series holding a 149-83 lead in the all-time series, but you’ll still be in for a treat when attending an Arizona-Arizona State game.
Arizona Wildcats vs UCLA Bruins
Rival Team: UCLA Bruins
There wasn’t much of a rivalry between the Arizona and UCLA before Lute Olson took over the Wildcats with the Bruins winning 21 of the first 23 meetings. Since Olson’s arrival, the Wildcats became regular contenders for the conference championship creating a fierce rivalry between the two schools. If you want to catch an important Pac-12 matchup, then make sure to be in attendance when the Wildcats and Bruins square off.
Arizona Wildcats Stadium Guide
In Game
The McKale Center is home to an incredible student section and an excellent band making it a great place to take in a college basketball game. The Zona Zoo is one of the loudest and rowdiest student sections in the country. They give opponents hell and lift up their team with their cheers and chants. The Pride of Arizona Pep Band also is a fundamental component of the electric atmosphere found inside the McKale Center as they give cues the Zona Zoo throughout the contest.
The tributes to Arizona greats of the past around the arena also go a long way in creating a fun atmosphere. Everywhere you look, you’ll find banners honoring the best players and teams in Wildcats history. You can even stop by the Hall of Champions before the game and see tributes to legends from other sports teams as well. Arrive early, so you can soak it all in when attending a game at the McKale Center.
There are also plenty of bars and restaurants nearby the McKale Center, so you won’t go home hungry or thirsty. Dirtbags, on the east side of campus, is a must for anyone visiting Tucson and other nearby eateries like Trident and 1702 are worth checking out as well.
You’ll have a fantastic time taking in a game at the McKale Center where the Zona Zoo and the Pride of Arizona Pep Band create an incredible atmosphere that every college basketball fan should experience at least once.
When attending a Wildcats basketball game, make sure to stop by the Hall of Champions before the game. The Hall of Champions is a great place to learn more about the history of Arizona athletics and is home to tributes to all of the best athletes in Wildcats history.
Hanging from the rafters of the McKale Center are banners honoring all of the best Wildcats players and teams from over the years. The 1997 National Championship banner takes center stage and is a must see for anyone wanting to relive the greatest moment in Arizona basketball history.
Bear Down
It’s included in the field design, the fight song, and many posters and t-shirts, but the traditional slogan has a deeper historical meaning. Student body president and quarterback John “Button” Salmon was in a severe auto accident in 1926. On his deathbed, he told coach Pop McKale, “Tell them… tell the team to bear down.” The slogan continues today as a great way to meet and connect with fellow Wildcat fans.
The Zona Zoo remains one of the most raucous student sections in college basketball, and will spend the majority of the game standing and cheering their lungs out. Enjoy the pride and passion of the Zona Zoo when attending a Wildcats basketball game.
The Pride of Arizona Pep Band does an excellent job of setting the tone at an Arizona basketball game. The band kicks things off by playing “Bear Down Arizona” and saying hello to the fans before the game. After their introduction you can hear the band riling up the crowd with throughout the game, so listen to the band and join in on the cheers.
Every year Arizona will hold one game where everyone dresses in white. White out games give the Wildcats an even greater home court advantage and are a lot of fun to take part in, so make sure to wear white when attending a white out at the McKale Center.
Wilbur and Wilma are the Arizona mascots, and they do a fantastic job of entertaining the crowd. The pair get into a lot of shenanigans and lead a variety of cheers, so keep an eye out for them at the game.
The “Ooh-Aah” Man has been a big part of Arizona basketball games since the 1980s and leads the crowd in the spelling of “A-R-I-Z-O-N-A.” Following that chant, he then directs the fans in the chanting of “U of A.” Join in on the chants to give the Wildcats as much support as possible.
Bear Down, Arizona
Bear Down, red and Blue
Bear Down, Arizona
Hit ’em hard, let ’em know who’s who;
Bear Down, Arizona
Bear Down, Red and Blue
Go, go, Wildcats, go;
Arizona, Bear Down
All Hail, Arizona
Arizona’s alma mater sung after the game
All hail, Arizona! Thy colors Red and Blue
Stand as a symbol – of our love for you.
All hail, Arizona! To thee we’ll be true
We’ll watch o’er and keep you, All hail! All hail!
Fight Wildcats, Fight!
Hail Arizona Wildcats
Fighting for old UA.
A raging team of Wildcats
Growling for the fray
There’s not a team can stop them
When the ball goes into play
So Fight! Team!
Fight with all your might
And win today.
Fight Wildcats, Fight for
Arizona
We’re with you ever staunch
And true
This day we hail you and we
cheer you
They can’t defeat the Red
And Blue
Circle the ends and crash
Through center
Hit hard and gain on ev’ry play
Fight Wildcats!
Fight! Fight! Fight!
We’ll win today!
Foul Chant
After an opponent commits a foul the Zona Zoo chants, “ You! You! You! You! You! You! You! You! You! On you, that's who!” and if it’s a shooting foul they chant “Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! No no no no! No no no no! No no no no! No no no no! Don't touch me!” Join in the chant to get into the opponents’ heads and propel the Wildcats to victory.
Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey! No no no no! No no no no! No no no no! No no no no! Don’t touch me!
Foul Out
When an opposing player fouls out, the band plays Queen’s “Another One Bites the Dust” followed by the yell,"Hey! We're gonna get you too!" and chants of, “left, right...” until the player sits down and they yell, “Sit down!”
Another One Bites the Dust
Hey! We’re gonna get you too!
left, right…
Sit down!
End of Game Chants
When the Wildcats are blowing out opponents fans tell the opposing to “Warm up the Bus.” If an opponent manages to make a play, then members of the Zona Zoo will let them know that “It just doesn’t matter!”
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