Arizona Wildcats Advance Past Utah State Aggies in NCAA Tournament

Wildcats defeat Aggies in second-round matchup at Viejas Arena

Mar. 23, 2026 at 12:49am

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The Arizona Wildcats defeated the Utah State Aggies in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament, securing a spot in the next round. The game was played at Viejas Arena in San Diego, California on March 22, 2026.

Why it matters

The Wildcats' victory keeps their tournament hopes alive as they continue their quest for the national championship. The loss ends Utah State's season, but the Aggies can be proud of their strong performance against a tough Wildcats squad.

The details

Arizona was led by strong performances from forward Koa Peat and center Motiejus Krivas, who combined for 32 points. Utah State fought hard, but ultimately couldn't overcome the Wildcats' balanced attack and stifling defense.

  • The game was played on March 22, 2026.
  • It was part of the second round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament.

The players

Koa Peat

Arizona Wildcats forward who scored a team-high 18 points in the victory.

Motiejus Krivas

Arizona Wildcats center who added 14 points and controlled the paint against the Aggies.

Jerrod Calhoun

Utah State Aggies head coach who led his team to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

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What they’re saying

“Our guys really battled out there today. Utah State is a tough team, but I'm proud of the way we executed our game plan and came away with the win.”

— Tommy Lloyd, Arizona Wildcats Head Coach

What’s next

The Arizona Wildcats will advance to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament, where they will face the winner of the Gonzaga-Texas Tech matchup.

The takeaway

Arizona's victory showcases the depth and talent of the Wildcats roster, as they were able to overcome a scrappy Utah State team to keep their championship dreams alive. The Wildcats will need to continue playing at a high level if they hope to make a deep run in the tournament.