Watch: 10 most interesting things Arizona Wildcats said after falling to Buffalo in NCAA Tournament
The Wildcats finish the season 27-8 and enter next season with a cloud of uncertainty.
Shocked in Boise
Updated
Arizona's Deandre Ayton couldn't get things going at Taco Bell Arena in Boise, Idaho, in what resulted as an early tournament exit for the Wildcats.
By Justin Spears / Arizona Daily Star
BOISE, Idaho — What on earth just happened? An Arizona team that was destined to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament behind its veterans, blended with arguably the greatest freshman to ever play at the UA in Deandre Ayton, fell flat on its face to the 13th-seeded Buffalo Bulls.
That's what happened.
Some could say this was the biggest upset of the tournament, while others could presume that this was the expected ending for what has been one of the most tumultuous seasons in program history.
Finishing with a 27-8 record and crowned as Pac-12 Tournament outright champions, there are many points to look back and pronounce this year as a successful season despite falling in the first round of the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three years. Not to mention the countless individual accolades Ayton has racked up in the conference, with possibly more on the way.
Arizona had a now-or-never vibe to its campaign heading into the tournament. The Wildcats are losing Parker Jackson-Cartwright, Ayton, Dusan Ristic, Rawle Alkins and Allonzo Trier — their entire starting five. With no commits in the 2018 recruiting class and a dark cloud of uncertainty surrounding the future of Arizona basketball, this was a huge opportunity missed.
Here's what an emotional group of Wildcats had to say following the loss in Boise.
PJC's final go-around
UpdatedParker Jackson-Cartwright on his final season at Arizona: pic.twitter.com/a0Ly00K4yn
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 16, 2018
PJC heading out with his head high
UpdatedParker Jackson-Cartwright on his career at Arizona and playing for Sean Miller: “I can walk out of here and hang my head high knowing that I played for a great coach that got the absolute best out of me.” pic.twitter.com/jKFCwMRQSN
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 16, 2018
Rawle Alkins on the loss
UpdatedRawle Alkins after the loss to Buffalo: pic.twitter.com/N4nlx9Vpp7
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 16, 2018
Lorenzo Romar's final goodbye
UpdatedArizona assistant coach and new Pepperdine head coach Lorenzo Romar: “My only regret is that I wish I could’ve done more.” pic.twitter.com/VAHoSUJ3By
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 16, 2018
Allonzo Trier's maturation
UpdatedAllonzo Trier on handling the controversy and maturing as a player: “I’ve matured very well over my three years. ... There isn’t anything that I’m built for. ... My whole life I’ve been battle tested.” pic.twitter.com/IwfzofaCCD
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 16, 2018
Going down memory lane
UpdatedAllonzo Trier on his favorite memories and looking back on his 3-year career at Arizona: pic.twitter.com/z9dcRnx4sG
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 16, 2018
Emmanuel Akot's reaction
UpdatedEmmanuel Akot on what he’s learned in his first year at Arizona and what to expect from the Wildcats next season: pic.twitter.com/X8wRhH3LNP
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 16, 2018
Nothing like a bond with teammates
UpdatedDeandre Ayton says he will miss the special bond with teammates that he never got to have when he played high school/AAU ball. pic.twitter.com/uFYQcobpqF
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 16, 2018
Professionalism added from this year
UpdatedDeandre Ayton on the handling the controversy surrounding Arizona this season: “It helped me be more professional.” pic.twitter.com/LyMhTA1J9e
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 16, 2018
Brandon Randolph's thoughts
UpdatedBrandon Randolph on what he’s learned in his freshman year and how it’s going to help him, teammates heading into next season: pic.twitter.com/EqNCAUrOzO
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) March 16, 2018
