Arizona punches ticket to men’s Final Four
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The Arizona Wildcats ended their Final Four drought with an Elite Eight victory over Purdue in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament on Saturday night.
The Wildcats had not made the Final Four in 25 years. The last time the Wildcats got this far was in 2001, when they lost to the Duke Blue Devils in the national championship. They are now one win away from getting back there.
Arizona freshman Koa Peat scored 20 points to defeat Purdue 79-64. He was named the West Region’s Most Outstanding Player.
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Arizona forward Koa Peat (10) dunks in the second half against Purdue in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament on Saturday, March 28, 2026, in San Jose, California. (AP Photo/Kelley L Cox)
“As an Arizona kid, it’s such a blessing to lead this team to the Final Four,” Peat said. “I’m proud of these guys. We worked for this. We’re not done yet.”
The Wildcats’ defense was enough to frustrate Purdue star Braden Smith, the NCAA record holder for assists. Smith had 13 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds and turned the ball over three times.
Oscar Cluff added 14 points and Trey Kaufman-Renn had 10 points.
Peat became the sixth freshman to score at least 20 points to help his team win the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight.
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Arizona players receive a trophy after defeating Purdue in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament on Saturday, March 28, 2026, in San Jose, California. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
“They call him Mr. Arizona,” Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd said. “KOA is special, and I know you’ve heard it, but you’ll hear it again. Four state championships at the same high school. I didn’t go to prep school. Four gold medals in USA Basketball. No one has ever done that in the history of FIBA. And he helped Arizona get to the Final Four.”
Arizona improved to 36-2 with the win. The Wildcats’ 36 wins are a single-season win record in program history.
Lloyd is in his fifth season as head coach. He replaces Sean Miller ahead of the 2021-22 season. Miller becomes the third coach to take over following the resignation of legendary coach Lute Olson.
“Without Lute – without Sean doing what he did in the 12 years he was here, I wouldn’t be able to do what we do today. I totally understand that,” Lloyd said. “These guys, that goes for them too. You know, I have no problem sharing the success of this team with the coaches that came before me.”
Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd waves as he cuts to the net after defeating Purdue in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament on Saturday, March 28, 2026, in San Jose, California. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
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Arizona will play the winner between Michigan and Tennessee.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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