Arizona Wildcats' Memorable Season Ends in Final Four Loss

Despite a 36-3 record and first Final Four appearance in 25 years, Arizona falls short against Michigan in the national semifinals.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 10:46am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the chaotic action of a college basketball game, with the players' forms broken down into overlapping planes of vivid colors including blues, oranges, and purples.Arizona's historic season ends in Final Four defeat, but the Wildcats' young core has the program primed for a bright future.Three Points Today

The Arizona Wildcats' historic 2025-26 season came to an end with a 91-73 loss to the Michigan Wolverines in the Final Four. Arizona finished the year with a remarkable 36-3 record, including a 23-0 start, the Big 12 regular season and tournament championships, and the program's first Final Four appearance in 25 years. However, the young Wildcats squad led by freshmen Koa Peat, Brayden Burries, and Ivan Kharchenkov struggled against the veteran Wolverines, shooting just 12-of-42 from the field.

Why it matters

Arizona's deep tournament run and 36-win season marked a remarkable turnaround for a team that was an afterthought at the start of the year due to its freshman-heavy roster. The Wildcats' success has raised expectations for the program moving forward, while also showcasing the talent of their young core players who are likely to be high NBA draft picks in the coming years.

The details

Despite the tough loss, Arizona achieved several historic milestones this season. The Wildcats won their first Big 12 regular season and conference tournament titles, and recorded their first 23-0 start and 36-win season. Freshman stars Koa Peat, Brayden Burries, and Ivan Kharchenkov led the way, but struggled mightily against Michigan, combining to shoot just 12-of-42 from the field. Jaden Bradley (13 points) and Motiejus Krivas (11 points, 6 rebounds) also contributed, while fan-favorite Tobe Awaka added 8 points and 9 rebounds in his final game.

  • Arizona finished the season with a 36-3 record.
  • The Wildcats made their first Final Four appearance in 25 years.
  • Arizona won the Big 12 regular season and conference tournament championships.

The players

Koa Peat

A freshman forward who was a projected lottery pick in the upcoming NBA draft. Peat had a double-double (16 points, 11 rebounds) in his final college game.

Brayden Burries

A freshman guard who was also expected to be an early NBA draft pick. Burries struggled, shooting just 2-of-10 from 3-point range.

Ivan Kharchenkov

A freshman forward who may test the NBA draft waters after this season, finishing with 6 points and 4 rebounds.

Jaden Bradley

A senior guard who scored 13 points in his final game with the Wildcats.

Motiejus Krivas

A junior forward who is expected to return next season after contributing 11 points and 6 rebounds in the Final Four loss.

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What they’re saying

“All of what Arizona achieved this season outweighs the disappointment of a 91-73 loss to the red-hot Wolverines.”

— Javier Morales, Author

What’s next

Several of Arizona's key players, including Koa Peat and Brayden Burries, are expected to declare for the upcoming NBA draft after their impressive freshman seasons. The Wildcats will look to build on this year's success and make another deep tournament run in 2026-27.

The takeaway

Despite the tough Final Four loss, Arizona's remarkable 36-3 season and first Final Four appearance in 25 years have elevated the program back to national prominence. The Wildcats' young core of talented freshmen have gained invaluable experience and are poised to lead the team to even greater heights in the years to come.