Tucson loves Dusan

Before every game, Arizona’s intro video counts down the program’s accomplishments and accolades. When Arizona clinched at least a share of the Pac-12 championship Thursday night, the video was updated. On Saturday, Dusan Ristic declared “35 conference championships” at the top of the video. Nice touch for his Senior Day.

Dusan Ristic added to Arizona’s pregame video: “35 conference championships.” pic.twitter.com/oE1ZUTL8l4

— Justin Spears (@JustinESports) March 3, 2018

… and Dusan loves Tucson

Ristic wore sleeves for the first time in his career at Arizona. Near the end of the game, we learned why. Ristic stripped off his jersey in the final minutes of Saturday’s game, revealing a custom undershirt. The front read “Thank you Arizona.” On the back? “Dusan loves Tucson.” Ristic’s friends and family join him on Senior Day. It wasn’t hard to spot the Ristic fans: They held a Serbia flag that could’ve been a comforter for a king-size bed.

Hometown kid’s last hurrah

Parker Jackson-Cartwright, Dusan Ristic and Keanu Pinder were all honored as part of Senior Day. It was also the final home game for Wildcat Talbott Denny, a graduate transfer from Lipscomb. Denny was a standout at Salpointe Catholic High who was named the Star’s First Team All-State as a senior in 2012. Not too many local prospects get the opportunity to play for their hometown team, especially a powerhouse like the UA. Denny tore his ACL in 2016 and never saw any action his first year, but he played in three games this season and accomplished something thousands of Tucsonans dream of: stepping out on the floor at McKale Center as a member of the Wildcats.

RichRod in the house

Former UA football coach Rich Rodriguez attended Saturday’s game to support his daughter, Raquel, who was honored in her final home game as a cheerleader.

It wasn’t Rodriguez’s first game since he was fired on Jan. 2, either. The coach dressed all in black when he attended Arizona’s home loss to UCLA on Feb. 8.

Travelin’ Cartwrights

Even though it lives in Los Angeles, Parker Jackson-Cartwright’s family has missed only a few games in his time at the UA. Last season, the family members went to Hawaii for Arizona’s season opener, and this year, they joined the team on its trip to Spain. Jackson-Cartwright’s father, Ramon, said he’s only missed “one or two” home games, but said “wherever the boys go, we’ll go.”

His favorite memory at McKale Center? Seeing the Ooh-Ahh Man during the Red-Blue Game in Parker’s first year at Arizona.

“That’s what really sealed it for me,” Ramon Cartwright said. “That showed me that I can act up and be as big of a fool as I want to and nobody would notice. That was the one thing that I’ll take with me forever.”

The big numbers

1

Career point for Talbott Denny after he hit a free throw in the final minutes of Saturday’s win over Cal.

3

Number of McKale Center losses suffered by Ristic and Jackson-Cartwright in four years at the UA.

4

The times Sean Miller has cut down the nets at McKale Center as the Pac-12 regular season champions. The Wildcats shared the title with Oregon in 2017, but didn’t cut down the nets following a road win against ASU.

He said it

“Yeah they’re not coming back. … Those guys deserved an ovation just like the seniors, because they’re not going to play in McKale again.” — Sean Miller, after introducing underclassmen Deandre Ayton, Allonzo Trier and Rawle Alkins along with the seniors on Saturday

Sean Miller adds Rawle Alkins, Deandre Ayton and Allonzo Trier to the group of seniors. pic.twitter.com/d47F5duYUg

— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 4, 2018

Tweet of the night

PAC-12 CHAMPS BAAABBBBYYYYY 💯💯💯🔥🌟😍🙌🏿❄️🏆🏆 #SAVAGELIFE

— Rawle Alkins (@Iam_RawleAlkins) March 4, 2018