Arizona Wildcats Fans Riot Near University After Loss to Wisconsin; Police Need Pepper Spray to Quell Crowd
ByFans and students of the Arizona Wildcats took the street after Saturday's loss to the Wisconsin Badgers in the NCAA Tournament's Elite Eight round.
According to the Associated Press, 15 people were arrested for charges like resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and unlawful assembly. Tucson police said they needed to use pepper spray on the crowd when some people began throwing beer bottles and firecrackers.
The riot spilled onto the streets around the University of Arizona, but no one was injured and police had the scene cleared by late Saturday night.
"It is disappointing that a minority of Wildcat fans chose to engage in behavior that does not reflect the culture of the University of Arizona and Tucson communities," Kendal Washington White, assistant vice president of Student Affairs and dean of students, said in a statement obtained by the Daily Wildcat. "Our basketball team had a great season and they exhibited exceptional class at every turn. They do not deserve the bad actions of these others. As with all incidents, University students engaged in behavior that violates our Student Code of Conduct will be held accountable."
Arizona spent eight weeks as the number one team in the AP top 25 poll at one point during the regular season. They finished strong enough to earn the top seed in the NCAA Tournament's West region. After the field shrunk from 68 to just eight, Arizona suffered its overtime 64-63 loss to Wisconsin.
Andrew Brown, a photojournalist based in Arizona, told the New York Daily News he saw several students taking selfies of themselves as police officers passed them by.
"It wasn't very serious. It was just a bunch of drunk college kids," said Brown. "I feel like when police officers show up in riot gear that situation will happen."
He showed up after his girlfriend, who works on University Boulevard, texted him photos of the street. He said there was no immediate danger and the students participating "were excited they were getting that much attention."