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The Arizona Wildcats snapped their Final Four drought Saturday night with an Elite Eight win over Purdue in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
The Wildcats had gone 25 years without being in the Final Four. The last time the Wildcats made it that 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 as they defeated Purdue, 79-64. He was named the most outstanding player in the Western Region.
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Arizona forward Koa Peat (10) dunks during the second half of the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament against Purdue, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in San Jose, California. (AP Photo/Kelley L Cox)
“Just being a kid from Arizona, to take this team to a Final Four, man, it’s a blessing,” Peat said. “I’m proud of these guys. We worked for this. We’re not done yet.”
The Wildcats’ defense was able to do enough to frustrate Purdue star Braden Smith, who holds the NCAA record for assists. Smith had 13 points, seven assists, five rebounds and three turnovers.
Oscar Cluff added 14 points and Trey Kaufman-Renn was held to 10 points.
Peat became the sixth freshman to score at least 20 points to help his team win the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight games.
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Arizona players hold a trophy after a victory over Purdue in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in San Jose, California. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez)
“They call him Mr. Arizona,” Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd said. “Koa is special, and I know you hear it, but you need to hear it again. Four state championships at the same high school. Didn’t go to a prep school. Four gold medals with USA Basketball. No one in FIBA history has ever done that. And helped lead Arizona to a Final Four.”
Arizona moved to 36-2 with the win. The Wildcats’ 36 wins are a single season record for wins in program history.
Lloyd is in his fifth season as head coach. He took over for Sean Miller before the 2021-22 season. Miller was the third coach to take over after legendary coach Lute Olson stepped down.
“Without Lute — without Sean doing what he did for the 12 years he was here, I wouldn’t be able to do what we did today. I totally get that,” Lloyd said. “Those guys, it’s for them too. You know, I have no problem sharing this team’s success with the coaches that came before me.”
Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd waves as he cuts down the net after a win over Purdue in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in San Jose, California. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez)
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Arizona will play the winner between Michigan and Tennessee.
