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The Arizona Wildcats snapped their Final Four drought Saturday night with an Elite Eight win over Purdue in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
The Wildcats have gone 25 years without being in the Final Four. The last time the Wildcats came to this country was in 2001 when they lost to the Duke Blue Devils in the national championship. They are now one win away from getting back there.
Arizona junior Koa Peat scored 20 points in a 79-64 win over Purdue. He was selected as the most outstanding player in the Western Region.
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Arizona forward Koa Peat (10) drives forward during the second half of the NCAA college basketball tournament’s Elite Eight game against Purdue, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in San Jose, California. (AP Photo/Kelley L Cox)
“Being a kid from Arizona, taking this team to the Final Four, man, it’s a blessing,” Peat said. “I’m proud of what we’ve worked on and we’re not done yet.”
The Wildcats’ defense was able to do enough to frustrate Purdue star Braden Smith, who holds the NCAA record for assists. Smith had 13 points, seven assists, five rebounds and three turnovers.
Oscar Cluff added 14 points and Trey Kaufman-Renn had 10.
Peat became the sixth freshman to score at least 20 points to help his team win the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight tournaments.
TEXAS COACH GIVES FIRING, ESSENTIAL HALFTIME SPEECH AHEAD OF LONGHORNS’ UPFRONT AT GONZAGA
Arizona players hold the trophy after beating Purdue in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in San Jose, California. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
“They call him Mr. Arizona,” Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd said. “Koa is special, and I know you hear it, but you have to hear it again. Four state championships at the same high school. I didn’t go to prep school. Four gold medals with USA Basketball. No one in FIBA history has ever done that. And he helped lead Arizona to the Final Four.”
Arizona moved to 36-2 with the win. The Wildcats’ 36 wins are the single-season record for wins in program history.
Lloyd is in his fifth season as head coach. He took over from Sean Miller before the 2021-22 season. Miller was the third coach to take over after legendary coach Lute Olson resigned.
“Without Lute – without Sean doing what he did in those 12 years here, I wouldn’t be able to do what we did today. I understand that,” Lloyd said. “Those boys, this is theirs. You know, I have no problem sharing the success of this team with the coaches who came before me.”
Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd raises his hand as he crosses the net after defeating Purdue in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in San Jose, California. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
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Arizona will play the winner between Michigan and Tennessee.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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