SAN JOSE, California (AP) — The Arizona Wildcats advanced to the Final Four of the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament for the first time since 2001 after defeating Purdue 79-64 in the West Region Elite Eight on March 28, 2026, at the SAP Center.[1][2]
Freshman forward Koa Peat scored 20 points and was named the West Region most outstanding player. Oscar Cluff contributed 14 points for Arizona.[1] Purdue's Braden Smith, a key playmaker for the Boilermakers, finished with 13 points, seven assists, five rebounds and three turnovers, while Trey Kaufman-Renn scored 10 points.[1][2]
Arizona's last Final Four appearance came in 2001, when the Wildcats lost 82-72 to Duke in the national championship game at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis.[3]
The victory improved Arizona to 36-2 on the season, establishing a program record for single-season wins. Head coach Tommy Lloyd is in his fifth season leading the Wildcats, having succeeded Sean Miller before the 2021-22 campaign. Miller had followed longtime coach Lute Olson, who guided Arizona to the 1997 national title.[1][4]
Peat, from Gilbert, Arizona, won four Arizona Interscholastic Association 6A state championships at Perry High School and earned four gold medals with USA Basketball youth teams.[5]
"Just being a kid from Arizona, to take this team to a Final Four, man, it’s a blessing," Peat said. "I’m proud of these guys. We worked for this. We’re not done yet."[1]
Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd said of Peat: "They call him Mr. Arizona. Koa is special ... Four state championships at the same high school. Didn’t go to a prep school. Four gold medals with USA Basketball."[1]
The Wildcats will face the winner of the Michigan-Tennessee Elite Eight matchup in the Final Four.[2]
Sources
- NCAA. "Men's Basketball: Arizona 79, Purdue 64 - 2026 Elite Eight Box Score." March 29, 2026. https://www.ncaa.com/game/401772345
- ESPN. "Arizona Wildcats vs. Purdue Boilermakers - March 28, 2026 Box Score." March 29, 2026. https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/boxscore/_/gameId/401772345
- NCAA. "2001 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship - All-Time Results." Accessed March 29, 2026. https://www.ncaa.com/history/basketball-men/d1
- Arizona Wildcats. "Tommy Lloyd - Head Men's Basketball Coach." Accessed March 29, 2026. https://arizonawildcats.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/coaches/tommy-lloyd/5325
- USA Basketball. "Koa Peat Player Profile." Accessed March 29, 2026. https://www.usab.com/basketball/players/mens-youth/koa-peat.aspx
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