While the big story for the Utes has been simply making it to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in four years, the big deal for the team they will play -- the Arizona Wildcats -- has been keeping alive a streak of streak of 25 consecutive appearances in the Big Dance.

The Wildcats had feared finally missing out, after losing five of their last six games.

"But if we have learned anything about Bracketology in the past two seasons it is this," columnist Anthony Gimino wrote in the Tucson Citizen, "The selection committee values a team's entire 'body of work' -- an oft-repeated phrase this time of year -- and quality victories much more than the general public does."

And the 19-13 Wildcats had some of those, against teams such as Kansas, Gonzaga and UCLA – which was important because they also suffered what were viewed as embarrassing losses to teams like Alabama-Birmingham and Stanford. The end result was popping up on the selection screen almost as soon as the broadcast began, against a Utah team that several ESPN analysts -- and oddsmakers, who have made the Utes early 1 ½-point underdogs in the game at American Airlines Arena in Miami on Friday -- predicted the Wildcats will beat.

"I must have hugged the same guy five times," Arizona interim coach Russ Pennell said. "It was a moment I'll never forget. ... The moment the kids saw it was like everything they've gone through was worth it."