Arizona punches Final Four
Arizona beat Purdue 79-64 to become the first team into the Final Four and improved to 36-2 on the season — the Wildcats are being framed as the tournament favorite (cbssports.com). The Wildcats leaned on defense and freshman Koa Pete (20 points in the game) while Tommy Lloyd’s program hit 148 wins in five years — elite metrics: KenPom #1 and top marks in adjusted defensive efficiency (espn.com).
Arizona sits atop KenPom’s leaderboard with an adjusted offensive rating of 128.6, an adjusted defensive rating of 69.8 and a net efficiency margin of +38.76 through Saturday’s games. (kenpom.com) The Wildcats held Purdue to 38% shooting and its second-lowest point total of the season while shutting down one of the nation’s most efficient offenses. (espn.com) A 16-3 run early in the second half erased a seven-point halftime deficit, and Arizona closed the game on a 13-game winning streak entering Indianapolis. (espn.com) Freshman Koa Peat was named the West Region Most Outstanding Player and became the sixth freshman ever to score 20-plus points in both the Sweet 16 and Elite Eight; his dunk with under six minutes left served as the game’s decisive highlight. (espn.com) Arizona’s defense repeatedly frustrated Purdue’s attack, holding NCAA career-assists leader Braden Smith in check and preventing Trey Kaufman-Renn and Fletcher Loyer from finding a rhythm. (espn.com) The Wildcats will meet the winner of Michigan vs. Tennessee for a Final Four spot, and the national semifinals are scheduled for Indianapolis on April 4. (cbssports.com)
