Arizona Final Four history: Wildcats make last weekend of tournament for first time since Lute Olson led program
It’s been decades since the Wildcats last reached a Final Four. The last time they made it this far, a certified legend roamed their sideline.
Arizona Final Four history: Wildcats make last weekend of tournament for first time since Lute Olson led program originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . The Arizona Wildcats have long been one of college basketball’s most recognizable programs.
But until Saturday, when they took down Purdue to advance in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, it had been quite some time since the Wildcats played on the sport’s biggest stage. For the first time in over 20 years, Arizona has reached the Final Four — behind the star freshman duo of Koa Peat and Brayden Burries — Tommy Lloyd’s squad has extended its two-loss season deep into March. Soon, Arizona will have the chance to earn a spot in the 2026 NCAA Tournament championship, eyeing just its second title ever.
But a Final Four berth is an accomplishment in itself, and it’s one that fans in Tucson haven’t experienced since the late Lute Olson was on the sidelines. “There's a good-looking guy with white hair looking down on us right now that's happy! ” Lloyd said of Olson after Arizona’s Elite Eight win over Purdue.
"There's a good looking guy with white hair looking down on us right now that's happy! " 🥹 Tommy Lloyd pays homage to the late Lute Olson in his postgame interview 🙏 #MarchMadness pic. twitter.
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