Arizona advances to men's Final Four for first time since 2001

The Arizona Wildcats snapped their Final Four drought connected Saturday nighttime with an Elite Eight triumph implicit Purdue successful the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

The Wildcats had gone 25 years without being successful the Final Four. The past clip the Wildcats got this acold was successful 2001 erstwhile they mislaid to the Duke Blue Devils successful the nationalist championship. They are present 1 triumph distant from getting backmost there.

Arizona freshman Koa Peat scored 20 points arsenic they defeated Purdue, 79-64. He was named the Most Outstanding Player of the West Region.

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Arizona guardant Koa Peat (10) dunks during the 2nd fractional successful the Elite Eight of the NCAA assemblage hoops tourney against Purdue, Saturday, March 28, 2026, successful San Jose, California. (AP Photo/Kelley L Cox)

"Just being a kid from Arizona, to instrumentality this squad to a Final Four, man, it’s a blessing," Peat said. "I’m arrogant of these guys. We worked for this. We’re not done yet."

The Wildcats’ defence was capable to bash capable to frustrate Purdue prima Braden Smith, who is the NCAA record-holder successful assists. Smith had 13 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds and turned the shot implicit 3 times.

Oscar Cluff added 14 points and Trey Kaufman-Renn was held to 10 points.

Peat became the sixth freshman to people astatine slightest 20 points to assistance his squad triumph the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight matchups.

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Arizona players clasp a trophy aft a triumph implicit Purdue successful the Elite Eight of the NCAA assemblage hoops tournament, Saturday, March 28, 2026, successful San Jose, California. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

"They telephone him Mr. Arizona," Arizona caput manager Tommy Lloyd said. "Koa is special, and I cognize you guys perceive it, but you got to perceive it again. Four authorities championships astatine the aforesaid precocious school. Didn’t spell to a prep school. Four golden medals with USA Basketball. No 1 successful FIBA past has ever done that. And helped pb Arizona to a Final Four."

Arizona moved to 36-2 with the win. The Wildcats’ 36 wins are a single-season grounds for wins successful programme history.

Lloyd is successful his 5th play arsenic caput coach. He took implicit for Sean Miller earlier the 2021-22 season. Miller was the 3rd manager that took implicit aft legendary manager Lute Olson stepped down.

"Without Lute — without Sean doing what helium did for those 12 years helium was here, I wouldn’t beryllium capable to bash what we did today. I afloat recognize that," Lloyd said. "Those guys, this is for them too. You know, I person nary occupation sharing the occurrence of this squad with the coaches that came earlier me."

Arizona caput manager Tommy Lloyd waves arsenic helium cuts down the nett aft a triumph implicit Purdue successful the Elite Eight of the NCAA assemblage hoops tournament, Saturday, March 28, 2026, successful San Jose, California. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

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Arizona volition play the victor betwixt Michigan and Tennessee.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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