Arizona cuts down nets, reaches Final Four for first time since 2001

SAN JOSE, CA — Red, white, and blue confetti was tossed about on a stage hastily put up at center court at the SAP Center. Players hugged and posed for photos after passing out celebratory hats and T-shirts. And yes, they cut down the net, too. “All I do is Win” blared in the background as players took turns climbing the ladder.

None of the current University of Arizona players were born the last time the Wildcats won a national championship, a long drought for a school with a strong tradition in the sport.

The top-seeded Wildcats used a second-half surge and turned back No. 2 Purdue 79-64, bolstered by a heavily partisan crowd on March 28 in Elite Eight play.

The Wildcats (36-2) advance to next week’s Final Four in Indianapolis and will face the winner of the March 29 Elite Eight game between Tennessee (25-11) and Michigan (34-3). It will be the school’s fifth appearance in the Final Four and first since 2001.

Perhaps the largest ovation went to freshman Ivan Kharchenkov. Then again, he’s the player usually egging on the crowd, and he did so again, snipping the net, then waving his arms to the crowd, which then cheered louder. When it was over, the players took a victory lap, greeting their fans in the front row of the venue.

Arizona made its way to the West Region final in impressive fashion. It pummeled two of three opponents, and against Purdue, Arizona trailed at the half 38-31, its largest deficit of the game.

The biggest issue was rebounding as they were bested on the boards 20-15. That was a bit of a surprise as the Wildcats entered the contest fourth in the nation in rebounding margin at plus-11. They had been outrebounded in just three games this season, and never by more than two.

Arizona finished with a 37-36 edge in rebounds, with many in the second half helping fuel the decisive run.

A Purdue turnover gave Arizona a fast-break, and the Wildcats converted with Anthony Dell’Orso draining a 3-pointer for a 50-45 lead.

Koa Peat had two putback buckets, one giving Arizona a 54-47 lead and the other moments later making it 58-49 with 8:40 left. Purdue was not close again.

Peat led all players with 20 points, with Kharchenkov next at 18. Jaden Bradley and Brayden Burries each chipped in with 14.

Peat was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. He was joined on the select team by Jaden Bradley, Braden Smith and Trey Kaufman-Renn of Purde and Tramon Mark of Texas.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona celebrates first Final Four trip in 25 years

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