A mix of Wildcat fans in northern California and die-hards who made the trip up to Tucson are supporting the Wildcats in the NCAA Tournament.
The cheerleaders, pep, band, and pom line all performed before at a rally before heading to the SAP Center to watch the Wildcats play Xavier in the Sweet 16.
"We're cutting down the nets on Saturday," said Stephanie Pang, class of 1997. "I was there for the last Elite 8 in Southern California. This time it's in my hometown."
Arizona beat Xavier in the 2015 Sweet 16 in Los Angeles, before losing to Wisconsin in the Elite 8 for the second straight year. The only current Wildcats to have played in that game are juniors Dusan Ristic and Parker Jackson-Cartwright, who played for a total of just nine minutes.
Freshman Lauri Markkanen is no stranger to big games, having played internationally for his native country of Finland.
"Of course it is a big game," said Markkanen. "I don't think about it. I think every game is important. Of course, the pressure is a little higher, now."
This year's Wildcat team enter's tonight's game with a 32-4 record, with each of the defeats coming to teams currently in the Sweet 16. Xavier is 23-13.
