BOISE — As Buffalo’s lead stretched from five to 10 and then 25—25!—points at the Taco Bell Arena late Thursday in the NCAA tournament, the faces on the Arizona bench told the story of the Wildcats strange, tumultuous season. Heads fell into hands. Eyes locked onto sneakers. Tears welled. The bench watched, minute after excruciating minute, shot after shot surrendered, the faces growing longer with each subsequent Bulls celebration, of which there were many.
So many. Buffalo’s mascot, Victor E. Bull, danced and played air guitar and tossed T-shirts into the stands. The band played at max volume and even started, oddly, a whoomp there it is chant.