Arizona’s last Final Four team relishing Wildcats' return: 'Now go finish the job'
Arizona last went to the Final Four in 2001, and the current team has a lot of the traits that made those Wildcats successful.
INDIANAPOLIS – Rodney Tention couldn’t help but notice the similarities. The former Arizona assistant returned to Tucson in February to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the program’s last Final Four team, and during the trip, coach Tommy Lloyd invited the group to practice. “It reminded us of the group that we had,” Tention told USA TODAY Sports.
That sentiment continued to resonate the more they were around the 2025-26 team. The alumni watched them play, talked to them and importantly, got to see how they interact in a locker room. Everything was so similar to the 2000-01 team, they couldn’t help but let Lloyd know.
“We all said it,” Tention said. “I think this is the group that can break through. ” Sticking around: Tommy Lloyd staying at Arizona, won't take UNC coach job Arizona vs Michigan predictions: Who will win in Final Four, play for national title?
How right they were. This year's group was, in fact, the one to break through. Arizona is back to the Final Four for the first time since that 2001 team.
Continue to the original source for the full article.