SPORTS

Arizona ends 25-year Final Four drought, beats Purdue

PUBLISHED Mar 29, 2026, 12:31 AM ET

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San Jose — Arizona defeated Purdue 79-64 on Saturday night in the NCAA Tournament’s West Region final, led by freshman Koa Peat’s 20 points; the top-seeded Wildcats clinched their first Final Four appearance in 25 years under coach Tommy Lloyd. The victory sent Arizona (36-2) to the Final Four this week, with Peat named region Most Outstanding Player; Purdue (30-9) was held to 38% shooting and saw its season end, and Arizona now prepares for national semifinal play.

By Ayesha A. | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

Arizona advanced through earlier NCAA rounds to reach the West Region final.
Saturday night: Arizona defeated Purdue 79-64 in San Jose to win the West Region.
Koa Peat scored 20 points and was named the region Most Outstanding Player.
Purdue shot 38% and was held to its second-lowest scoring output of the season.
Arizona secured its first Final Four berth in 25 years and will play in the national semifinals.

News Intelligence

This victory is a big deal for Arizona fans, ending a 25-year Final Four drought. It's a testament to the team's hard work and the leadership of coach Tommy Lloyd. If you're a basketball fan, it's a reminder of the unpredictability and excitement of the NCAA Tournament.

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Who Benefited

The Arizona Wildcats, including coach Tommy Lloyd and freshman Koa Peat, benefited from heightened national exposure, recruiting momentum, and strengthened title contention after advancing to the Final Four.

Who Impacted

Purdue’s team, notably seniors Braden Smith, Trey Kaufman-Renn and Fletcher Loyer, and their supporters suffered a season-ending loss that exposed offensive struggles and halted their NCAA Tournament run.