Purdue Boilermakers Advance to Final Four After Defeating Arizona Wildcats

The Boilermakers secured a spot in the NCAA tournament's Final Four with a hard-fought victory over the Wildcats.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 4:53am

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The Purdue Boilermakers defeated the Arizona Wildcats 72-68 in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. The game, played on March 28th in San Jose, California, was a closely contested matchup that came down to the final minutes. Purdue guard Brayden Burries had a key rebound late in the second half to help secure the victory for the Boilermakers.

Why it matters

Purdue's win over Arizona advances them to the Final Four of the NCAA tournament, one of the most prestigious events in college basketball. The Boilermakers will now have a chance to compete for the national championship, a feat that has eluded the program since their last title in 1969.

The details

The game was a back-and-forth affair, with neither team able to pull away by more than a few points. Purdue held a slim lead for much of the second half, but Arizona fought back to tie the score late in the game. In the final minutes, Purdue guard Brayden Burries grabbed a crucial rebound that allowed the Boilermakers to run out the clock and secure the victory.

  • The game was played on March 28, 2026 in San Jose, California.
  • Purdue and Arizona faced off in the Elite Eight round of the 2026 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament.

The players

Brayden Burries

A guard for the Purdue Boilermakers who made a key rebound late in the game to help secure the victory.

Purdue Boilermakers

The men's basketball team from Purdue University that advanced to the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA tournament.

Arizona Wildcats

The men's basketball team from the University of Arizona that was defeated by Purdue in the Elite Eight round of the 2026 NCAA tournament.

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What they’re saying

“We knew it was going to be a tough game against a great Arizona team, but our guys showed a lot of heart and determination to pull out the win.”

— Matt Painter, Head Coach, Purdue Boilermakers

What’s next

Purdue will now advance to the Final Four of the 2026 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament, where they will face the winner of the other Elite Eight matchup.

The takeaway

Purdue's victory over Arizona in the Elite Eight showcases the Boilermakers' resilience and ability to win close games against top-tier opponents. Their run to the Final Four is a testament to the team's hard work and coaching throughout the season.