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Welcome Wildcats home at McKale on Saturday night
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UA Wildcats basketball

Welcome Wildcats home at McKale on Saturday night

  • Wildcat fans watch the first half at Maloney's.
    Dylan Smith/TucsonSentinel.comWildcat fans watch the first half at Maloney's.

Fans can congratulate the Arizona men's basketball team on a well-played season Saturday night at McKale Center.

The arena will open at 9:30 p.m., and the team is expected to arrive around 11 p.m.

Arizona lost to Connecticut, 65-63, in the final seconds of the Elite Eight as both Derrick Williams and Jamelle Horne missed three-pointers.

The team closed out the season at 30-8.

"I am so sorry Tucson... I mean that shit from the bottom of my soul. Thank u for everything!!," Horne, the team's only senior, posted on his Facebook page after the game.

"Thank you Tucson! Really appreciate everything you have done for us! We wouldn't be anything without you all! Man...we had a great run! All I wanted to do was to try and be the best player I could possibly be and to give y'all memories that will last forever! Thanks again!," Williams wrote on his Facebook wall.

Williams, a potential high NBA lottery pick, may not return for his final college season.

Center Kreal Natyazhko wrote "Thanks to all the fans and people who had faith in us. Couldnt be here with out you guys (sic). We will be back. Stronger than ever!"

At Saturday's welcome at McKale, highlights of the Wildcat's run to the Pac-10 championship and post season games will play on the scoreboard's video screen before the team arrives. Light refreshments will be available, a press release from UA Communications said.

Free parking will be available in all garages and surface lots at the university.

The university wants to discourage fans from greeting the team at the airport. The Wildcats are traveling on a charter flight, and won't arrive at the main terminal at Tucson International Airport.

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