SAN JOSE, California - The Arizona Wildcats beat Purdue 79-64 in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament on March 28, 2026, at the SAP Center, advancing to the Final Four and ending a 25-year absence from the semifinals.

Freshman forward Koa Peat led Arizona with 20 points and was named most outstanding player of the West Region. "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."

Arizona's defense limited Purdue guard Braden Smith to 13 points, seven assists, five rebounds and three turnovers. Oscar Cluff scored 14 points for the Wildcats, while Purdue forward Trey Kaufman-Renn finished with 10 points.

The Wildcats' last Final Four appearance came in 2001, when they lost to Duke 82-72 in the national championship game.[1]

The victory improved Arizona to 36-2 on the season, a single-season wins record for the program. Head coach Tommy Lloyd is in his fifth season with the Wildcats, having taken over prior to the 2021-22 campaign following Sean Miller's tenure; Miller had succeeded Hall of Famer Lute Olson, who retired in 2008.[2]

"They call him Mr. Arizona," Lloyd said of Peat. "Koa is special... Four state championships at the same high school. Didn’t go to a prep school. Four gold medals with USA Basketball."

Arizona will face the winner of the Michigan-Tennessee semifinal in the Final Four.

Sources

1. Wikipedia. "Arizona Wildcats men's basketball." Accessed October 1, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arizona_Wildcats_men%27s_basketball
2. University of Arizona Athletics. "Tommy Lloyd - Head Coach." Accessed October 1, 2024. https://arizonawildcats.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/tommy-lloyd/1569
3. 247Sports. "Koa Peat Recruiting Profile." Accessed October 1, 2024. https://247sports.com/player/koa-peat-46136817/