Arizona Wildcats Advance in NCAA Tournament After Big 12 Thriller and Dominant First Round Win
The Arizona Wildcats men's basketball team has successfully advanced in the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament following a significant victory over Long Island University (LIU). This achievement builds on their recent success in the Big 12 Tournament, where they secured a spot in the championship game with a buzzer-beater win against Iowa State.
Arizona Secures Big 12 Championship Berth
Semifinal Victory Against Iowa State
The No. 2 Arizona Wildcats defeated the No. 7 Iowa State Cyclones 82-80 in a thrilling Big 12 Tournament semifinal match. This hard-fought victory qualified Arizona for the conference tournament championship game.
The Buzzer-Beater
With the game tied, Arizona's Jaden Bradley, the Big 12 Conference Player of the Year, made a crucial 17-foot shot at the buzzer to secure the win. This marked Bradley's first buzzer-beater in his college career.
The game's final minutes were intense, with both teams making 11 of their last 13 shots, including seven consecutive three-pointers. Iowa State's Tamin Lipsey hit a three-pointer to tie the game just before Bradley's decisive shot.
Coach Tommy Lloyd opted against calling a timeout on the final possession, allowing Bradley to execute the play.
Pre-Game Court Change
Prior to the semifinals, Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark made the decision to replace the LED glass floor with a traditional hardwood court. This change followed reports of player slippage and an injury on the digital floor during the tournament's first three days.
Coach Lloyd credited Yormark and Big 12 vice president of basketball Brian Thornton for the decision, noting that it allowed for improved shooting performance.
Key Performances and Statistics
- Iowa State's Milan Momcilovic led all scorers with 28 points, including eight three-pointers. He became the fourth player in Big 12 Tournament history to achieve this in a single game.
- Arizona's Anthony Dell'Orso contributed 26 points, including six three-pointers.
- Arizona achieved 1.24 points per possession, while Iowa State recorded 1.21 points per possession.
Coaching Decisions and Post-Game Remarks
Coach Tommy Lloyd described the game as an "epic battle" and praised Iowa State's performance. He attributed Bradley's game-winning shot to a play they had frequently seen him execute in practice.
Iowa State coach TJ Otzelberger stated that Arizona "made one more play" and affirmed his team's status as Final Four contenders.
Tournament Implications
This semifinal victory marked Arizona's ninth win against a ranked opponent this season. The game's outcome was not projected to alter Selection Sunday seeding, with Arizona anticipated as a No. 1 seed and Iowa State as a No. 2 seed.
Arizona advanced to face Houston in the championship game, a rematch of the previous year's final. Arizona had won that earlier encounter 73-66 in February.
NCAA Tournament First Round Success
Dominant Win Over LIU
Arizona defeated No. 16 seed Long Island University (LIU) by 32 points in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament. This commanding victory represented Arizona's largest margin of win in the tournament since 1998, with the lead consistently above 22 points in the second half.
Coach and Player Perspectives
Coach Tommy Lloyd acknowledged LIU's successful season and emphasized the importance of securing a win in early-round tournament games. He noted that freshman Brayden Burries' season progression met expectations, highlighting the need for game experience.
Lloyd also stated that his team focuses on respecting opponents, continuous improvement, and the significance of rebounding.
Freshman Koa Peat described the win as a "good team win," attributing it to the team's energy. Freshman Brayden Burries characterized his first NCAA Tournament game as a "great experience," crediting the Big 12 tournament for preparing him for the "one-and-done" format.