Arizona beats Purdue to make first Final Four since 2001

 

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- For the first time since 2001, Arizona is headed to the Final Four.

The top-seeded Wildcats punched their ticket with a 79-64 win against No. 2 Purdue, setting the school record for wins in a season (36) in the process. The previous wins record had stood since 1988, when Arizona reached the first of its four Final Fours -- including the national title in 1997 -- under legendary coach Lute Olson.

Shortly after the game ended, Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd held a microphone and spoke to the jubilant, heavily pro-Wildcats crowd at the SAP Center.

"I know this," he said. "There's a good-looking guy with white hair looking down on us right now that's happy."

The reference to Olson, who died in 2020, brought even more cheers from Arizona fans.