Before and after your Arizona Wildcats — both sets of Wildcats — take the court in Storrs, Connecticut, and Salt Lake City, respectively, let the Arizona Daily Star and Tucson.com/Wildcats continue to be your guide to everything you could want from this year's UA NCAA Tournament runs.

First things first: TBS at 11 a.m., ESPN2 at 4 p.m.

If that’s not already burned into your brains, we’re happy to be your reminder.

When the Arizona Wildcats — both sets of Wildcats — hit the courts for their respective NCAA Tournament debuts Thursday, some of you will undoubtedly be there in the flesh, cheering on Tommy Lloyd’s team in Salt Lake City or Adia Barnes’ program in Storrs, Connecticut.

But alas, for countless possible reasons — work and family commitments; last-minute air travel costs; you really do love your new 70-inch TV — most of you will be here, in the 520.

The Star is happy to concede that TBS (for the men) and ESPN2 (for the women’s First Four showdown) will be your go-tos during Thursday’s games.

But after the final buzzer(s)? That’s where we come in.

As you read this, the Star is already boots on the ground in both Utah and Connecticut. On the beat for more than 25 years, Bruce Pascoe is the dean of men’s college basketball coverage in Tucson; Kelly Presnell is Arizona’s top news photographer six years running; And nobody has the insight into the UA women’s hoops program like PJ Brown.

Arizona Daily Star staffers, from left, Bruce Pascoe, Kelly Presnell and PJ Brown.

All three headed to Tucson International Airport Tuesday to jump on flights —  Bruce and Kelly to Salt Lake; PJ to Storrs — so they can do what they (and the Star) do best: bring you as close to the NCAA Tournament action as possible (yes, even when you can’t leave your couch or desk chair).

So enjoy the matchups Thursday on TBS and ESPN2. But keep your eye on us, too. Before tipoff or after the games are over — also the day before the Wildcats take the court; the days after, too — your Daily Star newspaper and Tucson.com/Wildcats are your go-to resources for everything you could want from this year’s NCAA Tournament runs.

Thanks, as always, for being a loyal reader; and if (or is it when?) the Wildcats win Thursday, we’ll be there to let you know when they play next — and what channel they'll be on.

Arizona Daily Star sports editor Brett Fera can be reached at bfera1@tucson.com or on X (Twitter): @brettfera

Former Arizona Wildcats men's basketball player and longtime Major League Baseball legend Kenny Lofton saw his name placed in the UA basketball Ring of Honor at McKale Center Saturday, March 2, 2024, during a UA blowout win over Oregon. (Courtesy Arizona Athletics)


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Contact Star sports editor Brett Fera at bfera1@tucson.com. On X(Twitter): @brettfera