TUCSON, Ariz. (KVOA) – Arizona clinched its 33rd win of the season in San Diego, sparking excitement among University of Arizona fans. The victory marks the beginning of what many hope will be a deep tournament run.

Some cheering on the Wildcats Friday were born fans like Joey Marco.

“Big game man, I feel great. I think this is the year we can really win it all. Had a lot of deep runs, but I think we can win it, first time since 1997 hopefully,” Marco, a U of A sophomore, told News 4 Tucson.

Some fans are new to the U of A community but are already captivated by the team’s performance.

“Every time they play I want to make sure I’m watching the game, and I want to make sure it’s on the TV, and I love it,” Ruthie Martin, a U of A freshman, said.

The excitement is palpable beyond University Boulevard, extending into downtown Tucson. Bourn Companies, a real estate company, hosted a watch party Friday to celebrate the Wildcats.

“We have people from all over the country that work with us so we have people from North Carolina and North Carolina State, we even have some of them that just graduated from North Carolina State who’s wearing his U of A shirt today, so we’ve converted him,” Don Bourn, the CEO of Bourn Companies, said. “We’re lucky to have such a great team we’re lucky to have Tommy Lloyd, and we need to embrace it and enjoy it, and this is something we learned you can’t take for granted.”

Fans have varied perspectives on what constitutes a successful season. For some, it’s about reaching the elusive Final Four, while others dream of a national title that’s eluded Tucson for nearly 30 years.

“I think everyone at this campus knows a successful season means where we’re playing fluent basketball, we’re making shots and hopefully winning the final,” Kai Leider, a U of A sophomore, said.

Fans are all in for whatever March Madness brings.

“These boys have worked so hard for the position that they’re in, and mean they have Arizona on their side,” RJ Valentine, a U of A fan, told News 4 Tucson.

Arizona will take on Utah State on Sunday in San Diego at 4:50 p.m. for a trip to the Sweet Sixteen on the line.