The top-seeded Wildcats secured their spot with a 79-64 win over Purdue, setting a school record for most wins this season (36). The previous record had stood since 1988, when Arizona reached its first Final Four — including a national title in 1997 — under legendary coach Lute Olson.
Moments after the game, Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd took a microphone and addressed the cheering, Wildcats crowd at SAP Center.
“I know it,” he said. “Here’s a good-looking man with white hair looking down on us who’s happy now.”
The reference to Olson, who died in 2020, sparked even more cheers from Arizona fans.
“Lute gave me a lot,” Lloyd said. “He and I have only shaken hands a few times, maybe in a handshake line or something at a game… His legacy is so strong in Tucson that he’s the guy, there were others before him but he’s been a catalyst for making our program the center of the community.”
But this year’s team, in Lloyd’s fifth season, could be the best in their history. The Wildcats head into Indianapolis on a 13-game winning streak, where they’ll face the winner of Sunday’s Michigan or Tennessee game. Lloyd’s impact at Arizona is historic. The longtime Gonzaga assistant coach’s 148 wins are an NCAA record, the most in his first five seasons. The record breaks Brad Stevens’ record set at Butler in 2012. He led the Wildcats to 33 wins in his first year and three Sweet 16 trips in his first four seasons. But there was no Final Four — until Saturday.
Can Read: Timberwolves Defeat Warriors To Advance To Western Finals
Against an experienced Purdue team, Arizona was led by its talented freshmen. The Wildcats’ three freshmen starters – Brayden Bury (14), Ivan Kharchenkov (18) and Koa Pitt (20) – combined for 52 points, the biggest stage of their young careers. Senior guard Jaden Bradley added 14 points.
Arizona took a 19-12 lead with 12:37 left in the first half and looked like they could quickly overwhelm the Purdue team. But when Purdue star Trey Kaufman-Wren quickly drew a second foul, the Boilermakers began to come back.
A key turning point came when coach Matt Painter brought in sophomore big man Daniel Jacobsen just as Arizona’s lead had stretched to seven points. The 7-foot-4 Jacobsen has played just four minutes in the last two games and hasn’t been in the starting rotation much this month, but his size was needed against Arizona and his presence helped turn the game around. But it didn’t last long.
In the locker room at halftime, Lloyd gave his players a speech and gave them a few minutes to discuss among themselves.
“I said, ‘Guys, the coaching staff and I are going to leave now. You guys are going to have a few minutes to discuss among yourselves and make a decision on this. Then let’s beat them in the second half,'” Lloyd said.
Arizona had to get the lead back within five minutes and the gap gradually widened.
“I was actually a spectator in that second half, like you guys,” Lloyd said. “That’s what it felt like.”
Purdue (30-9) missed its second chance to reach the Final Four and the loss ended one of the greatest careers in college basketball history for Braden Smith, who tied Bobby Hurley’s career assist record with 1,103 assists this season. Smith led Purdue with 13 points but was 4-of-15 from the field.
In Purdue’s final possession, with the game already tied, Smith looked at Painter as if to ask whether to dribble or keep playing. Painter advised him to keep playing, and Smith then assisted Fletcher Lower on a final 3-pointer, which added to his Purdue record.
“Braden has been great for us all four years,” Painter said. “Very consistent, very competitive, a good guy.”
Can Read: Michigan’s Big Win, Wolverines Beat Alabama To Advance To Elite Eight