For some reason, Kansas coach Bill Self decided to take a walk around the Arizona campus on Saturday morning.
Guess what happened?
“There’s no telling how many people stopped me to talk ball,” Self said. “One guy was getting ready to have a Channing Frye wine tasting deal. I said, ‘send me a bottle.’
"There was so many people that did that, because I think they just love ball here, much like we do.”
Then Self took his team into McKale, which also showed plenty of enthusiasm in a different way.
After a 17-year absence from McKale Center, the Jayhawks were greeted not-so-warmly upon their return Saturday. Before the game, they were booed every time they jogged on and off the floor and during the game, fans were often loud and on their feet — despite the game only briefly being close in the second half.
Kansas head coach Bill Self watches from the sideline as Arizona starts to pull away from the Jayhawks in the second half of their Big 12 game in Tucson on Feb. 28, 2026.
“I thought it was really a positive atmosphere, so to speak,” Self said. “I thought the crowd was great, and I didn't think we did a great job of handling the crowd.”
More, please
Having essentially challenged UA fans beforehand to provide the top-notch environment Kansas is known for having, UA coach Tommy Lloyd also praised them. He wondered if it could happen more often, too.
“Our crowd was great today and our crowd generally is very, very good,” Lloyd said. “So let's not act like it's not. But if you want to be in that top, top tier — we're talking top five, and we know we want to be there as a program — I think it takes a little, just a little more intention from the fans.
“Just understand the impact you have on the game and how much more fun you have. Are you having more fun if you're screaming and yelling than if you're just sitting there nervous?"
Lloyd has often spoken of UA men’s basketball as a focal point for the community, something that could benefit fans and players alike.
“The greatest thing about Arizona basketball is it brings Southern Arizona and the state of Arizona together,” Lloyd said. “Our game should be a rallying point for people to get together and enjoy each other's company and get behind something, root like heck for it to win and have a ton of fun doing it.
“You felt the community rise up today, and I think that's really special. My deal is like, 'Why don't we do that every time? Why don't we make it a celebration every time? Why does it just depend on who we're playing?'
"Let's continue to think of our program being in the center of the community, as a galvanizing force for the community. That's why I love being the head coach here.”
Foles, Frye visit McKale
A Super Bowl MVP joined the crowd at McKale Center on Saturday: Former Arizona quarterback Nick Foles, who went on to lead the Philadelphia Eagles to their first Super Bowl title in 2018.
Former UA standout and NBA player Channing Frye was also on hand, as was former UA guard Max Hazzard.
Warm watch party
After holding its final Bear Down Bash before Saturday’s game, UA showed the Kansas-Arizona game on the video screen behind the main stage, creating a watch party for those who weren’t attending the game inside McKale.
But the record-breaking heat put a new twist on it. During the Bear Down Bash, fans mostly clustered under the trees near where a line of 40 UA football players were signing autographs — and under the canopy immediately in front of the stage.
Arizona receiver DJ Jordan, right, gives a fist bump to a UA fan while the UA football team held an autograph session at the Bear Down Bash before the UA-Kansas basketball game at McKale Center, Feb. 28, 2026
For those who hung out, expanded food options were available, including Duke’s Delicious Pizza, Willy’s Phillys cheesesteaks and an interesting branch of options from Lahaina’s Shave Ice. Those included pizza waffles, a “WaffleDog” and a more conventional Belgian waffle.
Lloyd said it was his hope to have regular sellouts at McKale, with watch parties and other events like Saturday’s held outside.
“The dream is eventually tickets at McKale are really hard to get, we're counting on sell outs consistently, and building events around the game,” Lloyd said on his radio show. “Basketball games can be a hub for the community to gather, and have a watch party outside, hopefully with a little bit of happy hour vibe to it, and some live music and things like that.
“I'll stick to coaching and let the promoters stick to promoting, but that would be really cool if we could continue to make our game day experiences better. I think they have gotten better, over the last couple years. So let's keep building.”
Berk’s back, too
While Kansas made its first appearance in McKale in 17 years Saturday, that put Daniel Berk back in a familiar spot. Only the former UA assistant communications director was wearing blue Jayhawk gear.
Berk spent 10 years in Tucson between stints at the Star and UA, before moving to his alma mater of Kansas. He now serves as KU’s senior associate athletic director for strategic communications, traveling regularly with both football and men’s basketball teams, among other duties.
“It’s awesome to be back,” Berk said.
Senior goodbyes
While the Wildcats won’t hold senior players ceremonies until their Monday agame against Iowa State, Arizona honored its senior band and cheer members during timeouts in the second half.
As part of it, UA also held a “reveal” of the seniors who have worked as Wilma and Wilbur: Marissa Lopez, an intelligence and information operations major, has been in the Wilma costume while psychology major Geovani Martinez has been Wilbur. Both students are from Tucson.
Fans clustered under trees and the main stage canopy during Arizona's pregame Bear Down Bash on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026.
The big number
34 -- Free throws Arizona attempted against Kansas, the second-most the Wildcats have taken against a Big 12 team this season. (They attempted 39 against Kansas State).
Quotable
"The internet is fake." -- Words on sweatshirt UA forward Koa Peat wore to the postgame press conference Saturday.
