Pantaloncini Away Legacy Arizona 1996-1997, retro Wildcat '97

SLAM's Legacy Collection goes back into the archives for college basketball classics. Each retro pair of shorts is made with the materials and details of the original designs. Call it a labor of love: the goal was an era specific keepsake for the most iconic styles in the college game.

'97 Wildcat Legacy

Lute Olson's 1996-1997 Arizona Wildcats roster held 5 future NBA players. The headline addition was freshman phenom Mike Bibby. Paired with Miles Simon, Bibby gave Arizona the best 1-2 backcourt punch in the country. Jason Terry, Michael Dickerson and AJ Bramlett rounded it out, and that's why expectations ran high in Tucson.

A win over #7 UNC to open the season, then another over #3 Utah, hinted at what was coming. The Wildcats dropped their last two regular season games, though, finishing 11-7 in in the Pac 10 for 5th place. Not the momentum Olson wanted going into the NCAA Tournament.

Seeded #4 in the Southeast Region, Arizona handled South Alabama, then survived College of Charleston 73-69 to reach the Sweet 16. Next up: the #1 overall seed Kansas Jayhawks and Paul Pierce.

U of A had no answers for "The Truth". Kansas had none for Zona's three-headed monster of Simon, Bibby and Dickerson, who pushed the Jayhawks out 85-82.

Miles Simon's 30 points carried Arizona past God Shammgod and Providence in OT, putting the Wildcats in the Final Four. There North Carolina became the second #1 seed to lose to Arizona, 66-58.

Lute Olson stood one win from his first title and the school's first. Another #1 seed, Kentucky, was in the way.

UK chased a repeat that hadn't happened since UCLA in the '70s and forced OT before Simon and Co. pulled away, 84-79.

"At the end of that game, I wanted to keep that ball forever. I had it overnight. Then when we got on the plane the next day, Coach Olson asked who had the ball and I gave it to the rightful owner which was him." -Miles Simon

Product Details

• Modern Standard-Length Fit
• Material: Double-Ply Mesh
• Embroidered Team Graphics
• Stitched Piping
• Premium Waistband with Drawstring
• Officially Licensed
  
• All designs are trademarks of SLAM Media Inc.