Last Saturday Arizona lost to Houston 72-64 in the Big 12 tourney title game but still earned an at-large bid to this week’s NCAA tournament. The Wildcats missed the NCAA tourney in 2021 but have now won 22+ games for the 4th year in a row and are heading to the NCAA tourney as a top-4 seed for the 4th year in a row. Yesterday HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to speak with Arizona Pomline captain Shelby Langlois about seeing Caleb Love sink 1 heck of a shot and making the NCAA tourney.
You are from Rancho Cucamonga, CA: what made you choose Arizona? I have always had a deep love for my hometown and the environment where I grew up, but after a while I felt it was time for a change of scenery. When I started thinking about college, I weighed several factors such as the distance from my family, the climate, the college experience, and opportunities to pursue my passion for dance…and Arizona checked every single box for me. Ultimately, I chose the University of Arizona because of the incredible opportunities it offered for involvement, both on campus and within the surrounding community. What stood out to me even more, though, was the immense pride the Tucson community has in the school. The connection between the university and the city is undeniable, and it is inspiring to see how much everyone supports the students, athletes, and programs. The moment I toured the UofA for the first time, I had a feeling deep inside that this was the place where I would spend the next four years of my life—and that feeling has never wavered! The energy, the people, and the possibilities made it feel like the perfect fit for me, and I am beyond grateful and proud to be an Arizona Wildcat!
You are majoring in psychology and minoring in human development and family resources: how did you choose those subjects? I started college as a Physiology and Medical Sciences major but was always much more interested in psychology and mental processes. I have always found psychology fascinating to learn about, as I believe it plays a crucial role in shaping how our society functions. The human brain is incredibly complex, and delving deeper into its workings has been truly eye-opening. I chose to minor in human development and family resources because I have a strong desire to pursue a career in mental health counseling, whether that involves working with children, couples, or families.
You are a senior: what is the post-graduation plan? I plan to move to Las Vegas in hopes of continuing my dance career. I grew up traveling to Las Vegas frequently and it has been one of my favorite cities in the country since childhood, so I am beyond excited to start a new chapter of life in a city that means so much to me! It has always been a dream of mine to cheer professionally in the NFL, and I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to audition for the Las Vegas Raiderettes this year. Regardless of the outcome of my audition, I still plan to move to Las Vegas and search for a job in the beauty industry!
You are captain of the Pomline team: what is the key to being a good leader? Being captain of the Arizona Pomline has taught me invaluable lessons in leadership. I am deeply grateful to Professor Chad Shoopman, the director of the Pride of Arizona Marching Band, for being an incredible mentor over the past four years and for shaping me into the leader I am today. His teachings on servant leadership, leading by example, and holding ourselves accountable have guided me and my fellow captains in setting a high standard of excellence for the Pomline. One of the core principles I emphasize in my leadership approach is creating a sense of comfort, trust, and support for each of my teammates. I aim to be a positive influence: someone they can look up to and turn to when they need anything. This strong, supportive relationship has fostered a deeper level of respect within the team and motivates us all to be the best versions of ourselves—not just for personal achievement, but for the collective success and growth of the entire team.
2 years ago you got to see Arizona beat Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl: how does performing at a football bowl game compare to performing at a basketball postseason tourney game? Being there to witness Arizona’s victory over Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl was undoubtedly the most incredible experience of my life. I feel incredibly fortunate to have traveled with the entire Pomline and Marching Band, as it allowed us to bond deeply throughout our time in San Antonio. It was truly special to see Arizona secure a win in a postseason bowl game alongside my entire team. Seeing Arizona in a bowl game for the first time since 2017 was a special moment for the Tucson community, and it was inspiring to see how many Wildcat fans spent their holiday break in San Antonio cheering on the UofA! Similarly, traveling to postseason basketball tournaments is also both an honor and a privilege. We send six Pomline members to each round of the tournaments, giving us the chance to form even closer connections with one another. Moreover, college basketball tournaments, especially the NCAA tournament, are broadcast on a massive scale, reaching millions of viewers every year. This underscores one of the most important values we uphold as a group: to be the most professional, respectful, and disciplined representatives of the University of Arizona. Having these experiences is a true honor, and I will always be grateful for the opportunity to represent the UofA at events across the country!
Last Saturday in the Big 12 tourney title game the Wildcats lost to Houston but still earned an at-large bid to the NCAA tourney: how excited were you to hear your team’s name called on Selection Sunday? Arizona has a consistent record of being selected for the NCAA tournament…but the excitement of hearing our name called on Selection Sunday never fades. I feel an overwhelming amount of gratitude just to watch the Wildcats compete in the biggest tournament of the year, let alone travel with them and continue cheering them on in every city we can visit!
What has been the highlight of the season so far: starting 11-1 in conference play, beating ASU on Senior Night, other? It is hard to put into words how truly magical the Arizona vs. Iowa State game was. I had the privilege of dancing on the court when Caleb Love made his half-court shot to tie the game, eventually leading us to victory (www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGehePh0QQM). The energy in McKale was electric and witnessing that moment from the courtside is something I will remember for the rest of my life!
How does your school decide who gets to go to the NCAA tourney, and what will it mean to you to see your group doing its thing in front of a national TV audience? The Pride of Arizona Marching Band and the Arizona Pomline select our tournament rosters based on seniority and years of experience with the team. This year, we have our six four-year seniors traveling to the NCAA tournament. It means the world to me to share this experience with the girls who have been by my side since day one. Reflecting on our journey from freshman year and seeing how far we have come, both as dancers and as women, makes this moment even more meaningful. These girls are truly my best friends, and I could not be more grateful and proud to share these experiences with them.
Does your squad have anything extra-special planned for this week? None of my teammates on this trip have been to Seattle before, so we were excited to explore the Pike Place Market today! We also went to the Wings Over Washington which was so much fun! Some of us also have our parents flying in and are planning on some fun dinners with them as well! We are beyond excited to explore this city while doing what we love: supporting our Wildcats!
Any predictions for your game on Friday vs. Akron in Seattle? Regardless of how the game goes, it truly is an honor and a privilege to be here…but we are hoping/praying for a Wildcat win of course!
