The Final 4 is set: Kentucky, Wisconsin, University of Connecticut and Florida have all made it to college basketball's "big dance."
Arizona lost 64-63 to Wisconsin on Saturday night, which prompted angry Wildcat fans to take to Tuscon's streets. Police said they shot pepper spray at several hundred college students who reportedly were throwing beer bottles and firecrackers at officers.
No tear gas was used as some had initially reported.
Fifteen people were reportedly arrested for offenses, including resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and unlawful assembly, Tucson police Sgt. Pete Dugan said. One of the rioters was sent to Pima County jail.
No officers or fans were injured.
"The majority of the crowd did not respond to the dispersal order and began throwing beer bottles, beer cans and firecrackers at the officers. Several of the firecrackers rolled underneath a patrol vehicle that was deployed with the Mobile Field Force Units," said Dugan.
"Police brought in cruisers and a unit of officers with batons, helmets and face masks to block the street when people started tossing beer bottles, cans and firecrackers, hitting police vehicles and endangering officers," Fox News reported.
David Kitaeff, a witness, told The Associated Press that while the incident might have been innocently with just photos, "people [soon] got in cops' faces." Kitaeff said fans were throwing drink cans at officers.
Interestingly enough, The Daily Wildcat, the university's newspaper, had warned in an editorial last week about a potential riot: Student journalist Hannah Plotkin described riots, which broke out after the 2001 NCAA championship game where Arizona had lost to Duke.
"Hundreds of fans poured onto Fourth Avenue, chanting 'U of A.' The crowd grew violent, broke shop windows, overturned cars and set fire to buildings and a trailer... resulting in massive property damage and 17 arrests and left more than 40 people injured," wrote Plotkin.
As for last Saturday night's riot, the university said in a statement the fans' behavior was "disappointing."
"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," said Kendal Washington White, the students' dean.
"The university and police said they were talking to determine whether any of those arrested were students. White said any student found to be involved would face punishment," as reported in Toronto Sun.
Next weekend's Final Four will feature the Kentucky Wildcats facing the Wisconsin Badgers; the Connecticut Huskies will square off against the Florida Gators.
