Editor's note: A version of this story first appeared ahead of the 2023 Pac-12 Men's Basketball Tournament. Arizona won that event, before falling in Las Vegas to FAU earlier this season. The Star has updated this list to reflect those matchups.
Over the years, Las Vegas has turned into a second home of sorts for the Arizona Wildcats during the Pac-12 era.
Also referred to as “McKale North,” T-Mobile Arena is routinely flooded with Arizona basketball fans or, as Bill Walton says, the “Red Army of the West."
The “Block A” is a common logo spotted in casinos, restaurants, clubs or other establishments in Las Vegas this week.
This decade, the Wildcats have only lost once in Las Vegas. Since losing in the first round of the Pac-12 Tournament in 2019, Arizona is 9-1 in Las Vegas — all games under third-year head coach Tommy Lloyd. The Wildcats won nine straight in Las Vegas, whether it was at T-Mobile Arena or MGM Grand Garden Arena.
With Arizona bolting for the Big 12 next season, who knows what the future holds for UA hoops in Las Vegas.
For now, here’s a look at every Sin City battle for Arizona during the Lloyd regime as the Pac-12 regular-season champion prepares for its final Pac-12 Tournament appearance at T-Mobile Arena:
Arizona guard Bennedict Mathurin shoots against Wichita State during the second half of their game Nov. 19, 2021, in Las Vegas.
Arizona holds off Wichita State
What: Roman Main Event
Where: T-Mobile Arena
When: Nov. 19, 2021
The rundown: The Wildcats nearly frittered away a 16-point lead to Wichita State but started the overtime period on a 9-0 run to win 82-78. The Shockers missed their first eight shots in OT. Arizona star guard and Pac-12 Player of the Year Bennedict Mathurin tallied 25 points and 10 rebounds.
He said it: “High-level basketball is not always a thing of beauty. It can be a rock fight, and that’s exactly what it was today.” — Lloyd
Arizona guard Dalen Terry (4) and his teammates celebrate their upset of Michigan during on Nov. 21, 2021, in Las Vegas.
Wildcats thump No. 4 Michigan
What: Roman Main Event Championship
Where: T-Mobile Arena
When: Nov. 21, 2021
The rundown: Arizona crushed the fourth-ranked Michigan Wolverines 80-62 for the Roman Main Event title. In the process, the Wildcats smothered Michigan with 54 points in the paint. Arizona center and Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year Christian Koloko dominated with 22 points, seven rebounds and four blocks; he was named Pac-12 Player of the Week for his performance. The unranked Wildcats started the season 5-0 and officially splashed onto the scene as one of the top teams in college basketball.
He said it: “And we always talk about swag — our Arizona swag is confidence, but it’s backed up with intelligence and effort and they’re getting that. They’re showing the way they’re able to scheme and game plan and start understanding game situations. That’s a ton of fun as a coach, because you know the things you’re trying to help them with are working, and all credit goes to them.” — Lloyd
Arizona fans cheer during a 2022 Pac-12 Tournament quarterfinal win over Stanford.
Arizona holds off frisky Stanford team
What: Pac-12 Tournament quarterfinals
Where: T-Mobile Arena
When: March 10, 2022
The rundown: Arizona converted 16 offensive rebounds into 18 second-chance points in the Wildcats’ 84-80 victory, although Stanford’s Spencer Jones poured in 28 points to give the Cardinal a puncher’s chance at the end. In the final minute of the game, Arizona point guard Kerr Kriisa exited with a sprained ankle after a collision with Koloko.
He said it: “I knew this game was going to be hard. These first games in these tournaments, especially when you have a bye, the other team has a little rhythm and a little bit of belief from a special game the day before.” — Lloyd
Arizona's Bennedict Mathurin (0), Justin Kier (5) and Pelle Larsson (3) embrace after the Wildcats defeated Colorado in the 2022 Pac-12 Tournament semifinals.
Shorthanded Wildcats cruise by Colorado
What: Pac-12 Tournament semifinals
Where: T-Mobile Arena
When: March 11, 2022
The rundown: To support Kriisa (ankle), UA Foundation President and CEO JP Roczniak made several phone calls and managed to get 3,000 white headbands shipped overnight to Las Vegas that he gave to Arizona fans walking into T-Mobile Arena leading up to Arizona’s second-round bout with Colorado the white headband is a signature look for Arizona’s point guard. In Kriisa’s place was veteran Justin Kier, who finished with 13 points, three assists and two turnovers in 32 minutes. Arizona forward Azuolas Tubelis led the Wildcats with 20 points and 11 rebounds in the 82-72 win over the Buffs.
He said it: “I almost get emotional thinking what those guys mean to me. They had some great ideas, and we hung with it. I told them after the game, I mean, our staff, the care factor is off the charts. For those guys to talk me into what we did today, they deserve a lot of credit because I can be pretty hard-headed sometimes.” — Lloyd
Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd cuts down the net after defeating UCLA in the championship of the Pac-12 Tournament Saturday, March 12, 2022, in Las Vegas.
Arizona wins Pac-12 title
What: Pac-12 Tournament championship
Where: T-Mobile Arena
When: March 12, 2022
The rundown: In the season rubber match against UCLA, Arizona was in trouble. With its starting point guard sidelined with an ankle injury and his replacement in foul trouble, the Wildcats relied on Dalen Terry and Pelle Larsson to handle those duties. Terry dished seven assists and, with the help from Mathurin and two critical 3-pointers by Adama Bal, led Arizona back after facing a 12-point deficit. The 22-5 run in the second half propelled the Wildcats to a win over the 16th-ranked Bruins — and the conference title.
He said it: “It’s surreal and, to be honest, I didn’t quite expect it. But when I got together with this group of misfits, I knew we had something special.” — Lloyd
Arizona players celebrate after a 3-point basket against Indiana during the second half of their game Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022, in Las Vegas.
UA knocks out No. 14 Indiana at MGM
What: Las Vegas Clash
Where: MGM Grand Garden Arena
When: Dec. 10, 2022
The rundown: Arizona returned to MGM Grand Garden Arena, the legendary Las Vegas venue that served as host of the Pac-12 Tournament from 2013-2016, for a midseason showdown with Indiana — the first-ever matchup between the Hoosiers and Wildcats. Arizona went on a 17-0 run and built a 19-point lead, but the Hoosiers stormed back in the second half. However, the Wildcats had an 18-6 advantage in points off turnovers. Tubelis and center Oumar Ballo combined for 36 points and 19 rebounds in the 89-75 victory.
He said it: “It’s fun. It’s fun being in those moments. So I like to tell our guys, `Just let it rip and let’s run our stuff, trust our offense and usually that will be the solution, in and of itself.’” — Lloyd
Arizona guard Kerr Kriisa (25) reacts after a basket against Stanford during the first half of a quarterfinal matchup at the Pac-12 Tournament on March 9, 2023, in Las Vegas.
Hot-shooting Wildcats get by Cardinal
What: Pac-12 Tournament quarterfinals
Where: T-Mobile Arena
When: March 9, 2023
The rundown: It wouldn't be a Pac-12 Tournament without an injured Kriisa. Arizona's point guard battled a right shoulder injury and shot one of his free throws left-handed. Arizona shot 63.8% from the field, the second-best percentage of the season, and beat Stanford 95-84. The Wildcats avenged their loss to Stanford at Maples Pavilion earlier in the season.
He said it: “This tournament has a very bad aura. Last year, I never had problems with ankles. Then I broke my ankle. Now I come here with perfect shoulders, and now comes a shoulder injury. But, you know, we did fine.” — Kriisa
Arizona center Oumar Ballo (11) reacts as the team leads against Arizona State during the second half of their Pac-12 Tournament semifinal matchup on Friday, March 10, 2023, in Las Vegas.
Cats clobber Devils
What: Pac-12 Tournament semifinals
Where: T-Mobile Arena
When: March 10, 2023
The rundown: Arizona State beat the Wildcats in Tucson courtesy of a 60-foot buzzer-beater by Sun Devils guard Desmond Cambridge. Two weeks later, Arizona routed its arch-rival 78-59 to punch its ticket to the Pac-12 Tournament championship game. Arizona outscored ASU 40-22 in the paint and went 10 of 16 shooting from 3.
He said it: “When the tournament started, we were just looking at how the games were lined up and how we could get a revenge game each time. We were super excited. It’s nice to get another revenge game for the championship." — Arizona point guard Kylan Boswell
Arizona center Oumar Ballo, left, dumps confetti onto coach Tommy Lloyd while celebrating the team's win over UCLA in an NCAA college basketball after the Wildcats won the championship game of the men's Pac-12 Tournament on March 11, 2023, in Las Vegas.
Arizona gets revenge vs. UCLA to win conference tourney
What: Pac-12 Tournament championship
Where: T-Mobile Arena
When: March 11, 2023
The rundown: Arizona's revenge tour in the Pac-12 Tournament ended with a gutty 61-59 win over UCLA, the regular-season conference champion, a week after falling to the Bruins at Pauley Pavilion. Arizona guard Courtney Ramey missed his first four 3-point attempts until he splashed one in the final seconds of the title game. Larsson grabbed Tubelis' missed 3-point attempt with 26 seconds left and kicked it out to Ramey for the go-ahead 3. The Wildcats celebrated back-to-back Pac-12 Tournament championships for the first time since 1990 and 2002. Arizona's 2017 and ’18 Pac-12 Tournament championships were stripped due to an NCAA infractions case.
He said it: “I believe in myself, I work very hard. Ever since a child my dad has always told me, `You gotta be ready to make the big play.’" — Ramey
Arizona guard Kylan Boswell (4) drives the ball against Florida Atlantic guard Alijah Martin (15) during the second half of an matchup between the Owls and Wildcats on Dec. 23, 2023, in Las Vegas.
Arizona falls to FAU in double-OT
What: Desert Classic
Where: T-Mobile Arena
When: Dec. 23, 2023
The rundown: Fourth-ranked Arizona stormed to a 17-3 lead against Florida Atlantic, a season after the Owls' first-ever Final Four appearance, but FAU countered with an 11-2 run. Despite Arizona guard Caleb Love scoring 26 points, the UA star missed a potential game-winning 3 as time expired, and the Wildcats lost their first game in Las Vegas under Lloyd.
He said it: “All in all, that was a fun, exciting game, a great experience for us. Obviously, we would have liked maybe one more play to go our way, but we’re going to be better for this. That’s why we set up this schedule. These guys did an incredible job and showed tremendous character today.” — Lloyd
The Arizona Wildcats won their second straight Pac-12 Tournament championship after beating the UCLA Bruins 61-59. Arizona forward Azuolas Tubelis was named the Pac-12 Tournament's Most Outstanding Player. (Via Pac-12)
