Arizona Wildcats Advance to Final Four, Defeat Purdue Boilermakers

Freshman-led Wildcats dominate veteran Boilermakers in Elite Eight matchup

Mar. 28, 2026 at 1:34pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting featuring overlapping planes of Arizona's red and blue colors and Purdue's black and gold, capturing the dynamic energy and competitive spirit of the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight game between the two teams.Arizona's youthful exuberance overwhelms Purdue's veteran experience in a thrilling Elite Eight matchup.San Jose Today

In a clash of youth vs. experience, the Arizona Wildcats defeated the Purdue Boilermakers 109-88 to advance to the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament. Arizona, led by three freshman starters, put on an offensive showcase, setting an NCAA Tournament record with six players scoring 14 or more points. Purdue, with a veteran core of Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, and Trey Kaufman-Renn, fought hard but ultimately couldn't keep up with Arizona's relentless attack.

Why it matters

This matchup pitted two vastly different styles of play against each other - Arizona's up-tempo, rim-attacking offense versus Purdue's three-point shooting prowess. The Wildcats' ability to overwhelm the Boilermakers with their depth and athleticism showcased the potential of their young core and set them up for a deep tournament run.

The details

Arizona was dominant from the start, jumping out to a big lead and never looking back. The Wildcats shot an impressive 57% from the field and outscored Purdue 58-36 in the paint. Freshman forward Koa Peat led the way with 22 points, while classmates Brayden Burries and Ivan Kharchenkov added 18 and 16 points respectively. Purdue, known for its three-point shooting, was held to just 9-of-27 from beyond the arc.

  • The game was played on Saturday, March 28, 2026 at the SAP Center in San Jose, California.
  • Tipoff was at 8:49 PM EST and the game was broadcast on TBS and truTV.

The players

Koa Peat

Freshman forward for the Arizona Wildcats, led the team with 22 points.

Brayden Burries

Freshman guard for the Arizona Wildcats, scored 18 points.

Ivan Kharchenkov

Freshman forward for the Arizona Wildcats, scored 16 points.

Braden Smith

Senior guard for the Purdue Boilermakers, a key veteran leader.

Trey Kaufman-Renn

Senior forward for the Purdue Boilermakers, averaged 17.2 points and 7.6 rebounds per game over his last 10 contests.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We knew Purdue was a tough, experienced team, but our guys just came out and played their game. When we're attacking the rim and sharing the ball like that, we're tough to beat.”

— Tommy Lloyd, Arizona Head Coach

“Credit to Arizona, they were the better team tonight. We fought hard, but they were just too athletic and deep for us to handle.”

— Matt Painter, Purdue Head Coach

What’s next

Arizona will face the winner of the other Elite Eight matchup in the Final Four next weekend, with a chance to advance to the national championship game.

The takeaway

Arizona's dominant victory over Purdue showcased the immense potential of their young core and established them as a force to be reckoned with in the Final Four. The Wildcats' blend of athleticism, depth, and offensive firepower makes them a tough out for any opponent.