The Arizona Wildcats ended a 25-year Final Four drought Saturday night with a 79-64 Elite Eight victory over Purdue in the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. The last time Arizona reached the Final Four was in 2001 when they lost to Duke in the national championship.
Freshman Koa Peat scored 20 points and was named Most Outstanding Player of the West Region. Peat became the sixth freshman to score at least 20 points to help his team win both Sweet 16 and Elite Eight matchups.
"Just being a kid from Arizona, to take this team to a Final Four, man, it's a blessing," Peat said. Arizona's defense frustrated Purdue's Braden Smith, the NCAA record-holder in assists.
Arizona improved to 36-2 with the win, setting a program record for single-season victories. Coach Tommy Lloyd is in his fifth season, taking over after Sean Miller. "Without Lute - without Sean doing what he did for those 12 years he was here, I wouldn't be able to do what we did today," Lloyd said.
Arizona will play the winner between Michigan and Tennessee in the Final Four.