Arizona in Final Four: What to know about Wildcats' road to Indianapolis

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Arizona in Final Four: What to know about Wildcats' road to Indianapolis

Arizona in Final Four: What to know about Wildcats' road to Indianapolis

Matthew Glenesk, USA TODAY · USA TODAY Sports

Mon, Mar 30, 2026 ·

6 min read

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Arizona 's Final Four drought is finally over . The Wildcats are headed back to the Final Four for the first time since 2001 after their Elite Eight win over Purdue .

Trailing by seven at halftime, Arizona produced a dominant second half to put the Boilermakers away. Wildcats players led the halftime pep talk before Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd provided the punctuation: "Let's go kick their ass."

Message received. Arizona outscored Purdue 48-26 after the break.

In-depth: How Arizona players' halftime talk ended 25 years of March Madness heartbreak

Arizona has one national championship in its history, the 1997 Miles Simon-led team... in Indianapolis .

Here's what you need to know about Arizona's road to Indy and the Wildcats' stars that led them there:

Arizona Wildcats forward Ivan Kharchenkov (8) reacts in the first half against the LIU Sharks during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena.
(Denis Poroy-Imagn Images)

Arizona Wildcats center Motiejus Krivas (13) and guard Brayden Burries (5) and forward Tobe Awaka (30) react with the bench in the second half against the LIU Sharks during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena.
(Denis Poroy, Denis Poroy-Imagn Images)

Arizona Wildcats forward Tobe Awaka (30) dunks against the Long Island University Sharks during a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena.
(Kirby Lee, Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

Brayden Burries #5 of the Arizona Wildcats reacts during the first half against the Long Island University Sharks in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 20, 2026 in San Diego, California.
(Sean M. Haffey, Getty Images)

Shadrak Lasu #22 of the Long Island University Sharks defends against Motiejus Krivas #13 of the Arizona Wildcats during the second half in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 20, 2026 in San Diego, California.
(Sean M. Haffey, Getty Images)

Koa Peat #10 of the Arizona Wildcats shoots the ball against Mason Porter-Brown #6 of the Long Island University Sharks during the second half in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 20, 2026 in San Diego, California.
(Sean M. Haffey, Getty Images)

Ivan Kharchenkov #8 of the Arizona Wildcats rebounds the ball in front of teammates Koa Peat #10 and Tobe Awaka #30 during the first half against the Utah State Aggies in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 22, 2026 in San Diego, California.
(Sean M. Haffey, Getty Images)

Koa Peat #10 of the Arizona Wildcats speaks with teammates during the first half against the Utah State Aggies in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 22, 2026 in San Diego, California.
(Sean M. Haffey, Getty Images)

Ivan Kharchenkov #8 of the Arizona Wildcats reacts during the second half against the Utah State Aggies in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 22, 2026 in San Diego, California.
(Sean M. Haffey, Getty Images)

Arizona Wildcats forward Ivan Kharchenkov (8) shoots against the Utah State Aggies in the second half during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena.
(Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

Arizona Wildcats forward Koa Peat (10) celebrates with guard Brayden Burries (5) after defeating the Utah State Aggies during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena.
(Denis Poroy, Denis Poroy-Imagn Images)

Arizona Wildcats guard Brayden Burries (5) celebrates after defeating the Utah State Aggies during a second round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena.
(Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)

Koa Peat #10 of the Arizona Wildcats dunks the ball against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the second half in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at SAP Center on March 26, 2026 in San Jose, California.
(Ezra Shaw, Getty Images)

Motiejus Krivas #13 of the Arizona Wildcats dunks the ball against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the second half in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at SAP Center on March 26, 2026 in San Jose, California.
(Ezra Shaw, Getty Images)

Head coach Tommy Lloyd of the Arizona Wildcats reacts after the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the Sweet Sixteen of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at SAP Center on March 26, 2026 in San Jose, California.
(Ezra Shaw, Getty Images)

Mar 26, 2026; San Jose, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Koa Peat (10) dunks the ball against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the first half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the West Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images
(Kyle Terada, Kyle Terada-Imagn Images)

Arizona Wildcats guard Brayden Burries (5) reaches for a loose ball against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the first half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the West Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center.
(Eakin Howard, Eakin Howard-Imagn Images)

Arizona Wildcats guard Jaden Bradley (0) high-fives Arizona Wildcats forward Koa Peat (10) against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the West Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center.
(Eakin Howard-Imagn Images)

Arizona Wildcats guard Brayden Burries (5) celebrates after a play against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the West Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center.
(Eakin Howard-Imagn Images)

Arizona Wildcats forward Koa Peat (10) dunks the ball against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the West Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center.
(Kyle Terada, Kyle Terada-Imagn Images)

Arizona Wildcats forward Koa Peat (10) reacts after a pay against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the West Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center.
(Eakin Howard-Imagn Images)

Anthony Dell'orso #3 of the Arizona Wildcats reacts after shooting a three point basket against the Purdue Boilermakers during the second half of a game in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at SAP Center on March 28, 2026 in San Jose, California.
(Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images)

Jaden Bradley #0 of the Arizona Wildcats reacts during the second half of a game against the Purdue Boilermakers in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at SAP Center on March 28, 2026 in San Jose, California.
(Ezra Shaw, Getty Images)

Ivan Kharchenkov #8 of the Arizona Wildcats reacts during the second half of a game against the Purdue Boilermakers in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at SAP Center on March 28, 2026 in San Jose, California.
(Ezra Shaw, Getty Images)

Ivan Kharchenkov #8 of the Arizona Wildcats looks on during the second half of a game against the Purdue Boilermakers in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at SAP Center on March 28, 2026 in San Jose, California.
(Ezra Shaw, Getty Images)

Bryce James #6, Koa Peat #10 and Brayden Burries #5 of the Arizona Wildcats celebrate after defeating the Purdue Boilermakers 79-64 in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at SAP Center on March 28, 2026 in San Jose, California.
(Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images)

Brayden Burries #5 and Motiejus Krivas #13 of the Arizona Wildcats celebrate after defeating the defeating the Purdue Boilermakers 79-64 in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at SAP Center on March 28, 2026 in San Jose, California.
(Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images)

Ivan Kharchenkov #8 of the Arizona Wildcats cuts down the net after defeating the Purdue Boilermakers 79-64 in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at SAP Center on March 28, 2026 in San Jose, California.
(Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images)

Jaden Bradley #0 of the Arizona Wildcats cuts down the net afterdefeating the Purdue Boilermakers 79-64 in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at SAP Center on March 28, 2026 in San Jose, California.
(Ezra Shaw, Getty Images)

Head coach Tommy Lloyd of the Arizona Wildcats cuts down the net after defeating the Purdue Boilermakers 79-64 in the Elite Eight of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at SAP Center on March 28, 2026 in San Jose, California.
(Thearon W. Henderson, Getty Images)

Arizona road to Final Four

First round: beat No. 16 Long Island, 92-58
Second round: beat No. 9 Utah State, 78-66
Sweet 16: beat No. 4 Arkansas , 109-88
Elite Eight: beat No. 2 Purdue, 79-64

Arizona basketball roster

Name	Position	Year	Height	Hometown
Jaden Bradley	G	Sr.	6-3	Rochester, NY
Dwayne Aristode	F	Fr.	6-8	Netherlands
Anthony Dell'Orso	G	Sr.	6-6	Melbourne, Australia
Brayden Burries	G	Fr.	6-4	San Bernardino, Calif.
Bryce James	G	Fr.	6-5	Akron, Ohio
Jackson Francois	G	Sr	6-5	Las Vegas
Ivan Kharchenkov	F	Fr.	6-7	Munich, Germany
Koa Peat	F	Fr.	6-8	Chandler, Ariz.
Jackson Cook	G	So.	6-3	Oxford, England
Motiejus Krivas	C	Jr.	7-2	Lithuania
Sidi Gueye	F	Fr.	6-11	Senegal
Mabil Mawut	F	Fr.	6-11	South Sudan
Evan Nelson	G	Gr.	6-2	Tucson, Ariz.
Addison Arnold	G	So.	6-3	Simi Valley, Calif.
Tobe Awaka	F	Sr.	6-8	Hyde Park, NY
Sven Djopmo	G	So.	6-2	Reims, France

Arizona basketball stat leaders

SCORING

Brayden Burries, 16.1 ppg
Koa Peat, 14.1 ppg
Jaden Bradley, 13.3 ppg
Ivan Kharchenkov, 10.5 ppg
Motiejus Krivas, 10.4 ppg

REBOUNDING

Tobe Awaka, 9.1 rpg
Motiejus Krivas, 8.2 rpg
Koa Peat, 5.5 rpg

ASSISTS

Jaden Bradley, 4.4 apg
Koa Peat, 2.7 apg
Brayden Burries, 2.5 apg

Arizona basketball Final Four history

This is Arizona's fifth trip to the Final Four and first since 2001.

1988:lost to Oklahoma in semifinal, 85-78
1994:lost to Arkansas in semifinal, 91-82
1997:beat North Carolina in semifinal, 66-58; beat Kentucky in final, 84-79 in OT
2001:beat Michigan State in semifinal, 80-61; lost to Duke in final, 82-72

Is Tommy Lloyd a candidate for UNC basketball coach job ? What Arizona coach said about links

Lloyd was asked about the opening in Chapel Hill at Wednesday's press availability ahead of Thursday's Sweet 16. Here's what he said:

"I already have one of the best jobs in the country. One thing we talk about in our program all the time, and I think I've gotten better at, and I think our team has been crushing it this year, is just the ability to have full focus and be present in the moment.

"So I think we have a great team. I think we have a chance to advance in this tournament game by game. But I'm not delusional. I know we could lose tomorrow.

"But this team deserves my full focus, so there's not one thing that is going to knock me off my path. I'm 100 percent focused on Arizona basketball and this program, and I can't wait until the ball gets thrown up tomorrow, and then can't wait to try to figure out a way to come out on top."

Why Tommy Lloyd focused on freshmen and not 'overpriced' transfers

In the Year of the Freshmen across college basketball, no other freshman class in America has scored more points this season than the five active freshmen on Arizona, led by Brayden Burries, Koa Peat and Ivan Kharchenkov.

Wildcats coach Tommy Lloyd instead took a different approach than many others last year, veering away from the transfer portal, where more experienced players typically seek to earn more money from their names, images and likenesses (NIL).

"We were able to get involved with some freshmen that we felt could be just big-time impact players in college basketball, no matter what year or what class they were," Lloyd told USA TODAY Sports .

One reason Lloyd built his roster this way was because didn't think there were going to be many "quality" transfers available in the portal.

"I thought it was going to be overpriced," Lloyd said.

Is LeBron James ' son on Arizona roster? Does he play?

Bryce James, LeBron's son, is on the Wildcats roster. The freshman is redshirting this season. Bryce was a three-star recruit out of Sierra Canyon, where brother Bronny James also attended.

Yes, Tommy Lloyd is an aspiring DJ: DJ Tomm-EE

Tommy Lloyd's sidequest includes spinning it on the turntables in becoming a DJ.

He may not strike you as one you'd see mixing songs or making the beat drop, but Lloyd is quite the music lover. And this hobby he's picked up has come with a masterful teacher, "one of the best DJs of all time" in Mix Master Mike.

"My sport is the art of turntables and hip hop. His sport is basketball. We just decided to collide into those two professions, and now we're here," Mike told USA TODAY Sports . "It's just an amazing thing."

Lloyd insists his DJ career is "more of a joke" than his next profession, but he may be selling himself short. Mike insists he's better than he likely thinks he is. You just don't show your team samples of your mixes for nothing.

"It's been a little bit of a — I guess — I don't know if a childhood fantasy, but probably a manhood fantasy for me that's come true," Lloyd said. "It's been awesome to have that relationship."

Koa Peat 2026 NBA Draft, mock draft prediction

No. 19 overall to Miami Heat

Kalbrosky's Analysis:

The Miami Heat have drafted several prospects known for their athleticism, which means a player like Arizona forward Koa Peat will probably have some appeal to their organization. Peat is an ideal match for this franchise given his versatility as a playmaking forward. The All-Big 12 forward just needs a jumper to carve out regular minutes as a high-impact pro. Arizona plays at a significantly faster pace (4.6 extra possessions) when Peat is on the floor relative to when he is not, per CBB Analytics, which would fit very well with Miamis fastest-paced offense in the NBA.

See USA TODAY's full mock draft here

Koa Peat stats

(all stats as of March 15)

13.6 points per game
5.3 rebounds per game
2.7 assists per game
53.7% field goal percentage
31.6% three-point field goal percentage

Brayden Burries 2026 NBA Draft, mock draft prediction

No. 10 overall to Milwaukee Bucks .

Kalbrosky's Analysis:

Arizona freshman Brayden Burries had two breakout games in January, which helped solidify his draft stock. But the All-Big 12 guard has continued to display his tantalizing talent, scoring 31 points with seven rebounds and five steals against Colorado on March 7 and 20 points with 12 rebounds and five assists during a victory against No. 14 Kansas on Feb. 28. Burries has proven productivity and that he is able to defend, relocate, move the ball and make 3-pointers off the dribble.

See USA TODAY's full mock draft here

Brayden Burries stats

(all stats as of March 15)

15.9 points per game
4.7 rebounds per game
2.6 assists per game
49.2% field goal percentage
36.7% three-point field goal percentage

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Arizona basketball in Final Four: Top players, March Madness results

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Arizona road to Final Four

Arizona basketball roster

Arizona basketball stat leaders

Arizona basketball Final Four history

Is Tommy Lloyd a candidate for UNC basketball coach job ? What Arizona coach said about links

Why Tommy Lloyd focused on freshmen and not 'overpriced' transfers

Is LeBron James ' son on Arizona roster? Does he play?

Yes, Tommy Lloyd is an aspiring DJ: DJ Tomm-EE

Koa Peat 2026 NBA Draft, mock draft prediction

Koa Peat stats

Brayden Burries 2026 NBA Draft, mock draft prediction

Brayden Burries stats