How Arizona used second half rally to power past Purdue and into 2026 Final Four

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Arizona looked dead in the water at halftime of its Elite 8 clash with Purdue. That is not a sentence Arizona fans have often uttered this season, in what has been one of the best campaigns in school history.

But suddenly, in a matchup of two of college basketball’s most physical teams, it seemed as if only one really wanted it — and it wasn’t Tommy Lloyd’s top-seeded juggernaut. Purdue hit seven 3-pointers in the first half and outrebounded Arizona by five. The Boilermakers also out-hustled the Wildcats.

Koa Peat grabbed a rebound and dished to Brayden Burries for a 3, giving Arizona its first lead since midway through the first half.

Arizona beat Purdue 79-64 to advance to the Final Four for the first time since 2001. And unlike the last time the Wildcats built a 15-point second-half lead in an Elite Eight game in 2005 against Illinois, they never relinquished it.

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The Wildcats played like a team that, simply put, knew it could flip the switch. And that is exactly what they did. Peat and 7-foot-2 center Motiejus Krivas took body blows, but punched back.

Krivas’ head slammed against the floor early in the second half, but he immediately popped up, seemingly unfazed. That sequence was a harbinger of how Arizona’s final 20 minutes would unfold.

For Purdue, it was another NCAA Tournament run that fell just short. Braden Smith controlled the game in the first half but wasn’t the same after turning his right ankle early in the second half. Big 12 Player of the Year Jaden Bradley locked Smith up in impressive fashion.

The NCAA’s career assists leader finished with 13 points and seven assists, but was minus-23 when on the floor for Purdue in 34 minutes. The Boilermakers have built a strong program under Matt Painter, but replacing one of the best players in program history will be a major challenge.

And speaking of the future, Tommy Lloyd’s name has been frequently mentioned in connection with the North Carolina opening. He moved his parents to Tucson in the offseason, and he hasn’t given any indication he is getting wandering eyes.

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“This is a true story, I woke up this morning and wasn't sure if we were in the Sweet 16 or Elite Eight,” Lloyd opened his press conference saying. “That's when I knew I think were gonna be OK.”

Peat was named the West Region’s Most Outstanding Player. He finished with 20 points, seven rebounds and a game-high plus-20.

Burries hit four 3-pointers, finally ending a lengthy shooting slump, and added 17 points. He and Peat could be headed to an NBA team near you next year. But for now, all the Wildcats are locked in on bringing home the first West Coast ship since 1997.

Matt Painter’s postgame press conference was lengthy, and he spent much of it praising his opponent in classy fashion.

"When you have elite size, and you have elite quickness, it's a problem," he said. "When you've got quick guards that can beat you, it's a problem. Keep the ball in front of us, stay out of rotation and stay home. Hats off to them.”

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Ball-knowers know ball. And in his heart, Painter probably knew his team was overmatched. Willing to fight, but not able to fight long enough.

Arizona has a chance to finish the fight in Indianapolis. Lloyd, Peat, Bradley and Ivan Kharchenkov were very business-like postgame.

"There's a seriousness about these guys," Lloyd said. "They know how to ratchet things down and finish the job."

They know the history. They know was at stake. They know the job's not finished.