Arizona Wildcats rally in second half to defeat Purdue, advance to 2026 Final Four

Wildcats overcome double-digit deficit, lock down Boilermakers in West Regional final

Mar. 29, 2026 at 4:51am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the intense basketball action between Arizona and Purdue, with sharp, overlapping geometric planes in vibrant colors representing the teams' contrasting styles of play.Arizona's second-half surge against Purdue showcases the Wildcats' championship mettle, as they punch their ticket to the 2026 Final Four.San Jose Today

The top-seeded Arizona Wildcats overcame a sluggish first half to storm back and defeat the Purdue Boilermakers 79-64 in the West Regional final, punching their ticket to the 2026 Final Four. After trailing by as many as 15 points in the first half, Arizona clamped down defensively and got key contributions from Koa Peat, Brayden Burries, and Motiejus Krivas to rally past Purdue and advance to the national semifinals for the first time since 2001.

Why it matters

Arizona's comeback victory over Purdue marks a significant milestone for the Wildcats' program, as they return to the Final Four for the first time in over two decades. The win also showcases the team's resilience and ability to make crucial adjustments, overcoming a slow start to dominate the second half and secure their spot in the national semifinals.

The details

Purdue raced out to a double-digit lead in the first half, hitting seven 3-pointers and outrebounding Arizona by five. However, the Wildcats flipped the script in the second half, with Koa Peat and Motiejus Krivas leading the charge. Peat finished with 20 points, seven rebounds, and a game-high plus-20 rating, while Krivas shook off a hard fall early in the half to continue making an impact. Brayden Burries also broke out of a shooting slump, knocking down four 3-pointers and adding 17 points for Arizona.

  • Arizona trailed Purdue by as many as 15 points in the first half.
  • Krivas took a hard fall early in the second half but immediately popped back up, setting the tone for Arizona's comeback.
  • Peat was named the West Region's Most Outstanding Player after the game.

The players

Koa Peat

A key contributor for the Wildcats, Peat finished with 20 points, seven rebounds, and a game-high plus-20 rating, earning West Region Most Outstanding Player honors.

Motiejus Krivas

Arizona's 7-foot-2 center, Krivas shook off a hard fall early in the second half and continued to make an impact, helping the Wildcats rally past Purdue.

Brayden Burries

The Wildcats' sharp-shooter broke out of a slump, knocking down four 3-pointers and scoring 17 points to aid Arizona's comeback.

Braden Smith

Purdue's star point guard, Smith controlled the game in the first half but was limited after turning his right ankle early in the second half.

Tommy Lloyd

Arizona's head coach, Lloyd has led the Wildcats to the Final Four in his fifth season at the helm, further cementing his status as one of the top young coaches in college basketball.

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What they’re saying

“When you have elite size, and you have elite quickness, it's a problem. When you've got quick guards that can beat you, it's a problem. Keep the ball in front of us, stay out of rotation and stay home. Hats off to them.”

— Matt Painter, Purdue Head Coach

“There's a seriousness about these guys. They know how to ratchet things down and finish the job.”

— Tommy Lloyd, Arizona Head Coach

What’s next

Arizona will face the winner of the East Regional final in the 2026 Final Four, with a chance to win the program's first national championship since 1997.

The takeaway

Arizona's resilient comeback victory over Purdue showcases the Wildcats' championship pedigree and their ability to make crucial adjustments, setting the stage for a potential national title run in the 2026 Final Four.