Arizona reaches first Final Four in 25 years with win over Purdue

Wildcats advance to national semifinals after dominant second-half performance

Mar. 31, 2026 at 12:23pm

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A cubist, geometric painting in navy blue, cardinal red, and white, depicting fragmented, overlapping scenes of a basketball game, capturing the energy and movement of the sport.Arizona's return to the Final Four after a quarter-century drought showcases the program's resurgence and the team's balanced, high-energy attack.San Jose Today

The top-seeded Arizona Wildcats are headed to the Final Four for the first time in 25 years after defeating second-seeded Purdue 79-64 in the West Region final of the NCAA Tournament. Freshman Koa Peat led the Wildcats with 20 points and was named the region's Most Outstanding Player, while veterans Jaden Bradley and Brayden Burries also contributed 14 points each. Arizona used a strong second-half surge to erase a seven-point halftime deficit and pull away from the Boilermakers, who struggled to find their rhythm against the Wildcats' stifling defense.

Why it matters

Arizona's return to the Final Four is a significant milestone for the program, which had not reached that stage since 2001 under legendary coach Lute Olson. The Wildcats' success this season under coach Tommy Lloyd has restored the team's status as a national championship contender, and their victory over Purdue showcased their ability to win in different styles of play.

The details

Arizona used a 16-3 run early in the second half to erase Purdue's seven-point halftime lead and take control of the game. The Wildcats' defense frustrated Purdue's senior trio of Braden Smith, Trey Kaufman-Renn, and Fletcher Loyer, holding them to a combined 12-for-38 shooting performance. Arizona's balanced scoring attack, led by Peat's 20 points, proved too much for the Boilermakers to overcome.

  • Arizona last reached the Final Four in 2001.
  • The Wildcats' victory over Purdue on March 28, 2026 marked their first trip to the Final Four in 25 years.

The players

Koa Peat

A freshman forward for Arizona who led the team with 20 points and was named the West Region's Most Outstanding Player.

Jaden Bradley

A veteran guard for Arizona who scored 14 points in the win over Purdue.

Brayden Burries

A guard for Arizona who also scored 14 points in the victory.

Braden Smith

A senior guard for Purdue who scored 13 points in the loss.

Tommy Lloyd

The head coach of the Arizona Wildcats, who has led the team to its first Final Four appearance in 25 years.

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What they’re saying

“Just being a kid from Arizona, to take this team to a Final Four, man, it's a blessing. I'm proud of these guys. We worked for this. We're not done yet.”

— Koa Peat, Arizona forward

“These guys, winning's in their DNA. Like I always say, they're way better players than I am a coach. I'm so proud of them.”

— Tommy Lloyd, Arizona head coach

What’s next

Arizona will face the winner of Sunday's game between Michigan and Tennessee in the national semifinals on Saturday.

The takeaway

Arizona's return to the Final Four after a 25-year drought showcases the program's resurgence under coach Tommy Lloyd and the emergence of a talented freshman class led by Koa Peat. The Wildcats' ability to win in different styles of play and their balanced scoring attack make them a formidable contender for the national championship.