Tag: Arizona Wildcats

Final Four NCAA podcast Michael Roberson: Arizona the favorite can they hop over Michigan, Illinois, and UConn? Pressures on

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Arizona Wildcats forward Koa Peat acknowledges the crowd after beating the Purdue Boilmakers at the Elite 8 at the SAP Center in San Jose on Sat Mar 28, 2026 (AP News photo)

Final Four NCAA podcast Michael Roberson:

#1 Why is Arizona considered the favorite heading into the 2026 Final Four despite strong competition from Michigan, Illinois, and UConn?

#2 How did UConn’s dramatic comeback win over Duke shape expectations for their Final Four matchup against Illinois?

#What makes the Illinois vs. UConn semifinal such a compelling matchup in terms of star players and team strengths?

How has Michigan’s defense and tempo contrasted with Arizona’s balanced style heading into their Final Four showdown?

What factors have contributed to Illinois’ breakthrough run to its first Final Four since 2005 under coach Brad Underwood?

Michael Roberson is covering the NCAA Final Four at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Arizona Heads to the Final Four in 25 Years, Beating Purdue, 79-64

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Arizona forward Koa Peat (10) dunks during the second half in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament against Purdue, Saturday, March 28, 2026, in San Jose, Calif. (Photo Credits to AP Photo/Kelley L Cox)

By Michael Villanueva

SAN JOSE – The Madness of March is over, as SAP Center welcomed 4 programs to the South Bay, but only saw only one of them would come out victorious. Between the No.1 Arizona Wildcats and the No.2 Purdue Boilermakers, which both are champions to their conference. It would be the Arizona Wildcats moving on to Indianapolis with a 15 point win, and these dangerous Wildcats have now won 13 games in a row.

Arizona Wildcats went with guards Jaden Bradley, Brayden Burries, forwards Koa Peat, Ivan Kharchenkov, and center Motiejus Krivas for their Elite Eight game. The Wildcats will be hoping to make it to the Final Four for the first time since 2001 and the fifth time in program history. This is their 12th Elite Eight appearance overall and their first since 2015.

Purdue Boilermakers sent out guards Braden Smith, Fletcher Loyer, forwards Trey Kaufman-Renn, Oscar Cluff, and center C.J. Cox on the teams Elite Eight run. Purdue has a 0-9 record against No. 1 seeds overall and is seeking its first victory over one. Purdue will be trying for its fourth Final Four overall and its second in the last three seasons.

After the first 7 minutes of play, Arizona was in the lead with 5 points, 17-12. Arizona went on a 8-2 scoring run for 3 minutes. The Wildcats saw a lot of their points in the paint which was giving them early control of the game. Arizona scored 12 points in the paint to their now, 19-12 lead. It should come as no surprise that Purdue is already having issues with Arizona’s size and agility. Oscar Cluff is holding his own so far, but if the Boilermakers don’t find extra help from the players down in the block, the Wildcats will dominate inside.

4 lead changes and 6 ties already happened 15 minutes into this game. Both teams are trying to send their school to the Final Four with the finishing line being just a couple of games away. With 3 minutes left of the 1st half the score was, 30-27, Purdue leads now. After a bad shooting performance in their Sweet 16 game, Purdue has shotten the ball better. Last game int he 1st half, Boilermakers only had 3 three-pointers in the 1st half, but tonight they had 6 three-pointers already. While Arizona is seeing some struggles as they only made 1 three-pointer so far out of 6 attempts.

Halftime, Purdue is leading Arizona by 7 points, 38-31. The Big-10 champions, Purdue, hit 7 three-pointers in the 1st half that got them feeling great heading into the lockers. While the Big-12 champions, Arizona, was struggling on the field. Only making 1 three-pointer would go a long way and a reason on why they’re down at halftime. While the Wildcats are struggling from deep as they only got 1 deep ball to go in.

The Boilermakers have gone on to lose after leading at the half just twice this season: Jan. 24 against Illinois and Feb. 26 against Michigan State. So with the start of the second half, the pressure for Purdue to win the game is on. Vice versa with Arizona as they started the final half playing catch up. Which Arizona really turned up the heat on Purdue and took it to them.

Wildcats were able to knock down 3 three-pointers in the second half, which was a lot better than the just the 1 three-pointer they made in the first half. The more this game goes on, the more the talent gap between Arizona and Purdue becomes clear. Arizona is more prepared to play in transition when the game breaks down, which has happened more often in the second half. The Wildcats are on the verge of making it to their first Final Four in 25 years.

In the second half, Arizona played with an entirely different feeling of urgency. At both ends of the floor, there are differences in physicality and intensity. However, the two crucial figures: Arizona had six turnovers in the first half but zero in the second. After a 7-14 first half, Purdue is now 0-4 3PT. By the 3 minute mark, Arizona had a 15 point lead on Purdue.

Ultimately, Arizona wrote their story to the Final Four in San Jose as they would win the game against the No.2 Purdue Boilermakers, 79-64. Arizona Wildcats will head to Indianapolis, and wait on the winner of the No.1 Michigan vs No.6 Tennessee. That game will be played on Saturday, April 4th, 2026.

Wildcats dominated Razorbacks, 109-88, will face No.2 Purdue Boilermakers in Elite Elite

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No.1 Arizona Wildcat guard (#5) Brayden Burries makes an 11-foot pull-up jump shot at the 14-minute mark of the 2nd Half on Thursday, March 26th, 2026, in San Jose, CA, at SAP Center. (Photo Credits to editor Michael Villanueva)

By Michael Villanueva

SAN JOSE – Just right after a crazy ending to the game between Purdue and Texas, SAP Center welcomed the 2nd game of the Sweet 16 West Region Tournament Games. The No.1 Arizona Wildcats vs. the No.4 Arkansas Razorbacks. This is their 2nd ever meeting in the NCAA Tournament, with Arkansas winning the last matchup in 1994 in the Final Four. With the Sweet 16, the road leads to the Elite Eight, and once again, the Razorbacks and Wildcats cross paths in this March of Madness. Arizona gave a show to the South Bay as they beaten Arkansas, 109-88.

Arizona is making its 40th all-time appearance in the NCAA Tournament. With this win, Arizona not only reaches its 35th win of the season but secured their spot to come back on Saturday evening for the Elite Eight and will face off against the No.2 Purdue Boilermakers. This will be the Wildcats 23rd trip to the Elite Eight in school history.

No.1 Arizona Wildcats started with guards Jaden Bradley, Brayden Burries, forwards Ivan Kharchenkov, Koa Peat, and center Motiejus Krivas. Arizona’s all-time record in the NCAA Tournament went to 64-38 after getting a couple of wins down in SoCal area, San Diego. This was the Wildcats 16th appearance in the Sweet 16, but their fourth in five seasons with head coach Tommy Lloyd. Arizona isn’t a stranger down here in San Jose, as this was their third NCAA Tournament appearance in San Jose (2002,2017).

No.4 Arkansas Razorbacks started with guards Meleek Thomas, Darius Acuff Jr., forwards Trevon Brazile, Malique Ewin, and Billy Richmond III. Arkansas is enjoying its trip to the sweet 16, as this is the school’s 16th NCAA Sweet 16 and its 5th in a six-year span. The Razorbacks are being lead by head coach John Calipari who’s made quite a resume in the tournament. Coach Calipari is playing in his 17th NCAA Sweet 16 & his second straight. Calipari’s Sweet 16 record was impressive, but Arizona’s performance was too much for him and his team. His record is now 12-5 in the Sweet 16.

After the first 12 seconds, the Wildcats strike first on the Razorbacks with a layup from guard Brayden Burries. From there, it seemed like the whole 1st half was all Arizona. As they held the lead pretty much the entire 1st half. The two stud freshmen, Arkansas Darius Acuff Jr. and Arizona Brayden Burries, face off to close out this thrilling Thursday of games.

10 minutes into the first half of the game, Arkansas was starting to see some early struggles shooting from deep. Arizona has been seeing great success in its offensive possession. Wildcats are comfortably getting in the paint and protecting the paint with 2 blocks already in this game. So with that, Arizona would get on an early roll here in San Jose.

With 2 minutes left, Arkansas was down 13 points to Arizona, 50-37. The Razorbacks shooting has held them back and been their reason why they’re trailing. They were shooting 45% from the floor, but with a bad 17% from deep. While a hot team from the desert like Arizona, those missed three-pointers are big in playing the Wildcats. So, on that, Arizona went on a roll and saw a 15-point lead at one point on Arkansas.

At halftime, the Arizona Wildcats would lead the Arkansas Razorbacks by 11 points, 54-43. Arizona’s shooting is showing why they’re one of the best schools to take the West Region. They’re shooting a high 65% from the floor, going 18-of-28, just missing 10 shots on the floor the whole 1st half. The Wildcats are the first team to have 50+ points before halftime in multiple games within a men’s NCAA tournament since 2017. While Arkansas is hanging on, its problem is not hitting its shots and not being aggressive. The Razorbacks end the 1st half on 2-of-12 from deep at a low 17%.

The 2nd half was pure domination for Arizona. The Wildcats just proved to be too much for the Razorbacks. After the first 8 minutes, the Wildcats didn’t miss a shot in their possessions. A huge way to come back from where you left off in the 1st half. However, with his 13th point of the game, Darius Acuff Jr. has totaled 73 points across his first three NCAA tournament games, passing De’Aaron Fox for the most points scored by an SEC freshman in their first three career NCAA tournament appearances.

With the big and tough performance from Razorback freshman star Darius Acuff Jr., Arkansas found itself down by 21 points just 7 minutes in the 2nd half. Arizona is pulling away from Arkansas in San Jose, holding that commanding 78-57 lead. The lead feels unreal to be in the Sweet 16, and the home travel team-Arizona crowd, is here and energized, chanting “U-of-A” as the Wildcats were getting closer to securing their spot in the Elite 8.

Now, with 7 minutes left of the game, nothing much has changed. Except the Razorbacks were starting to play frustrated from the performance and how the game is going. Arkansas would start to commit fouls, with some turning into a flagrant foul. The lead was still 20 points to Arizona, 92-72.

As the game reached the final 2 minutes, it was pretty clear who had won this game. Arizona is holding a 23 point lead. The Wildcats controlled the rest of the game and slowly played the clock out to officially get the win. With that, the final score was 109-88. Arizona will head to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2015 with its head coach, Tommy Lloyd.

Arizona Wildcat freshman Brayden Burries led the team with his 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists. Burries and the Wildcats will host the No.2 Purdue Boilermakers right back in the SAP Center on March 28th, 2026, at 5:49 p.m. in San Jose, CA. The final game that San Jose will host, as the winner of the Saturday game, will take the road to the Final Four.

NCAA Sunday Selections podcast Daniel Dullum: Teams selected Duke, Arizona, Michigan and Florida

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Duke Blue Devils Cameron Boozer (12) handles the ball against the Syracuse Orange William Kyle III (42) in the second half in Durham NC on Mon Feb 16, 2026 (AP News file)

NCAA Sunday Selections podcast Daniel Dullum:

#1 Which teams received the most surprising seedings in this year’s NCAA tournament Sunday selection?

#2 How did the selection committee handle teams from mid-major conferences versus power conferences?

#3 Were there any notable bubble teams that were left out, and what were the main reasons?

#4 How do the matchups in the first round set up potential Cinderella stories this year?

#5 Are there any geographic or regional trends in team placements that could impact travel and fan attendance?

Daniel Dullum is a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Women Capture Acrisure Classic Consolation Game 74-62 Over Arizona

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By Morris Phillips

This time, the Cal women looked composed and focused… when they weren’t turning the ball over.

Clearly a sign of improvement, the Bears displayed their version of Bear Down, by methodically leaning on Arizona in a 74-62 win in the Acrisure Classic Consolation Game in Palm Springs that featured 25 points from Michelle Onyiah.

“Our biggest strength was getting the ball into Michelle and the way that she finished around the rim,” said Charmin Smith, who rode off into the sunset on Onyiah’s back after both were interviewed on television after the game. “We didn’t have that yesterday. I’m really proud to see her get a career high and do what she needed.”

In contrast to the jumbled manner in which the Bears concluded their loss to Michigan State, this was a walk in the park with the Cal perimeter players getting the ball to their 6’3″ center repeatedly where she converted a high rate of success.

Onyiah finished 11 of 14 from the floor, and 3 of 4 from the foul line. With Arizona missing post defender Breya Cunningham, Onyiah’s efficiency kept Cal in front from midway in the second quarter to the game’s conclusion.

“We just got murdered by the post players this weekend, and some of that was because we’re missing size and Breya’s presence inside,” Arizona coach Adia Barnes said.

Cal stacked up 13 offensive rebounds and made 20 of 26 foul shots. They conducted their offense patiently despite the Wildcats’ pressure defense. Cal’s 21 turnovers aided Arizona’s ability to hang around to the final minutes. Cunningham missed both games in Palm Springs when a family member was hospitalized, and she returned home immediately.

“Arizona is a really aggressive defensive team” Smith said. “They have some really active and athletic players on offense who can get to the basket, but we wanted to be the tougher team on both ends of the floor. And I think we did that, and I think that allowed us to get the win.”

Lulu Twidale added 18 points for Cal, and Gisella Maul played 20 minutes and scored 10 points in the absence of Jayda Noble, who was present but unable to participate.

Leading scorer Jada Williams led Arizona with 18 points, but she needed 17 shots to get there, and she missed a key, second half stretch due to foul trouble.

The Bears (7-1) are off for an entire week before hosting No. 20 Alabama and traveling to Pacific next weekend.

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: No.3 Cardinal Women face OSU Thursday; Stanford Men tip off against Utah Thursday

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Stanford Cardinal forward Cameron Brink (right) tries to dribble on Arizona State Sun Devils forward Sandra Magollico in the first half at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto on Sun Feb 25, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael:

#1 Stanford women crush Arizona State Sun Devils on Sunday 81-67. Stanford Kiki Iriafen led with 22 points and 20 rebounds and Cameron Brink had 14 points.

#2 The Stanford women were coming off a tough loss to the Arizona Wildcats 68-61 on Fri Feb 23rd. You knew the Cardinal would be not too happy after that loss and fired up in preparing to face ASU.

#3 The Stanford women face the Oregon State Beavers on Thursday night for a 7:00pm PT tip at Oregon State. Oregon State is third in the Pac 12 at 22-5 and are 15-1 at home. Could this game be just as difficult for Stanford as it was at Arizona?

#4 Michael, times have been tough for the Stanford men they have lost four in row and their most recent loss came against the Oregon State Beavers at Maples Pavilion 85-73 last Saturday night. You covered this game what was the biggest let down for Stanford not getting enough offense or the Beavers just came and was lights out from beginning to end on offense.

#5 The Stanford men try it all over again and hope to snap their four game losing streak Thursday night in Utah against the Utes. Utah are eighth in the Pac 12 at 16-11. The Utes have a good home record at 12-2 do you see the Cardinal having their hands full in this one?

Michael Roberson is a Stanford Cardinal beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

U of A rallies in second half to defeat Cardinal 82-71

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Stanford Cardinal forward Brandon Angel (23) attempts to get the finger roll shot against the Arizona Wildcats guard Pelle Larsson (3) who tries to reach up to block the shot at the McKale Center in Tucson AZ on Sun Feb 4, 2024 (Getty photo)

By Daniel Dullum

Sunday, February 4, 2024

Stanford wrapped up it’s final regular season Pac-12 men’s basketball road trip to the southwest Sunday, as the Cardinal fell to No. 11 Arizona 82-71 before an announced crowd of 14,688 at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz.

Caleb Love and Oumar Ballo led the Wildcats with 18 points apiece, followed by Pelle Larsson with 17 and KJ Lewis added 12 points off the Arizona bench. Ballo grabbed 13 of the Wildcats’ 42 rebounds, and Love had seven assists and two steals.

Maxime Raynaud popped in a game-high 29 points for Stanford, hitting 11 of 19 field goals, including 5 of 6 behind the arc. Raynaud also had six rebounds and three assists. Michael Jones was next with 21 points, and Brandon Angel added 10 points and seven boards. Benny Gealer contributed nine assists in his first career start.

Arizona (17-5 overall, 8-3 Pac-112) held the Cardinal (11-10 overall, 6-5 Pac-12) to 38.2 percent shooting (26 of 68), while hitting 47.7 percent (31 of 65). The Wildcats had a 45-24 scoring advantage in the paint.

The win gave U of A a split in the season series; Stanford defeated the Wildcats 100-82 on Dec. 31.

The Cardinal took a double-digit lead in the first half, propelled in large part by Reynaud’s 21 points in the first 20 minutes. Stanford also sank nine 3-pointers and took a 45-34 halftime lead — its largest of the game.

Arizona opened the second half with a 25-7 run to take the lead. The Cardinal pulled to within 61-59 on a Rayna 69-65 with ud 3-pointer with 7:42 remaining. Back-to-back 3s by Angel made it 69-65 with 4:17 left, but the Wildcats put the game away with their free throw shooting down the stretch.

The Cardinal return home on Wednesday for a Pac-12 game against UCLA. Tip-off is at 6 p.m.

Aimaq scores 20 as Bears trounce Sun Devils 81-66

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The Cal Bears Keonte Kennedy takes the ball to the hoop against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Desert Financial Arena in Tempe on Sat Feb 3, 2024 (Cal Bears basketball photo)

Saturday, Feb. 3, 2024

Desert Financial Arena, Tempe, Arizona

California Golden Bears 81 (9-13 Overall; 5-6 Pac-12)

Arizona Wildcats 66 (11-11 Overall; 5-6 Pac-12)

By Stephen Ruderman

After being clobbered by the Arizona Wildcats, the Bears traveled up Interstate-10 to Tempe, where they took out their frustrations on the Arizona State Sun Devils and shellacked them, 81-66.

Cal won the opening tip, and it was all Bears from the very getgo. Jalen Celestine hit a three, and that started an 8-0 opening drive for the Bears, which was capped off by a layup by Fadaws Aimaq, as well as a three-ball by Keonte Kennedy.

Adam Miller was fouled, and got the Sun Devils on the board with a pair of shots from the line, which started a 7-2 drive, which put the Sun Devils back in it at 10-7.

Aimaq followed that up with a layup that started a 14-3 run. This run, like many that the Bears have made this season, was a team effort. Kennedy, Celestine, Grant Newell and Jalen Cone all scored, as every single shot during the drive was made by a different player.

The score stabilized throughout the remainder of the first half, and Aimaq led the way with 10 points, as the Bears went into the half up 38-26.

Aimaq and the Bears started out strong in the second half as well. He hit a jump shot 30 seconds in; made two from the line; and slammed one down, as the Bears opened their lead to 44-26.

The Sun Devils then went on an 11-3 drive that chipped away at Cal’s lead, and got Arizona State back in it at 47-38.

The Bears have come back from their fair share of large deficits, but they have also blown their fair share of big leads this season. However, today was not going to be one of those games, and the Bears went on an 11-4 run to open their lead back up to 58-42.

From there, Cal put the game away, as a three by Kennedy put the Bears up by 20 at 68-48 with 6:58 to go. The Sun Devils made a bit of noise at the end, but it was far too late, as the Bears won it, 81-66.

The Bears improve to 5-6 in Pac-12 play, and 9-13 overall. They will now return back home to Berkeley for a two-game homestand at Haas Pavilion, which will start with an 8 p.m. tip against the USC Trojans on Thursday night.

Wildcats too much for Bears, as Arizona clobbers Cal 91-65

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The Cal Bears Fardaws Aimaq (right) tries to contain the Arizona Wildcats Oumar Ballo (left) in the first half at the McKale Memorial Center in Tucson on Thu Feb 1, 2024 (AP News photo)

Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024

McKale Memorial Center, Tucson, Arizona

California Golden Bears 65 (8-13 Overall; 4-6 Pac-12)

Arizona Wildcats 91 (16-5 Overall; 7-3 Pac-12)

By Stephen Ruderman

Coming into Tuscson to play the 11th-ranked Arizona Wildcats proved to be too much for the Bears, as they were clobbered by Arizona, 91-65 .

Following a pair of thrilling late wins, the Bears were headed to Arizona to play the number-11 Wildcats

Arizona won the opening tip, and Caleb Love hit a jumper right away. Oumar Ballo followed that up with a second-chance layup to give the Wildcats an early 4-0 lead. Fardaws Aimaq hit a three-ball to put Cal on the board, but that proved to be their only real action of the night.

From there, the Wildcats just took off. Ballo led the way, as Arizona jumped out to a 16-6 lead just four minutes and 11 seconds into the game.

The Bears made a slight bit of noise. Jalen Celestine hit a three, and Rodney Brown Jr. laid one in to cut the deficit to 17-11, but the Wildcats pounded the Bears into submission from there.

The Wildcats went on a 12-0 run to open it to 29-11, and they kept going, as they went into the half up 48-28.

The Bears did chip away at Arizona’s lead a bit in the early minutes of the second half. Celestine made a three to make it 54-39 with 15:56 to go. Cal has come back from some significant deficits throughout this season, and they certainly believed they could tonight.

However, the Wildcats were simply too good. Ballo made a hookshot and a second-chance layup immediately after Celestine’s three, and Arizona put the game away for good, as they ended up winning it by 26 points at 91-65.

Almost everything has been a team effort for the Bears this season. There have not been too many games where one player dominated the scoring. This has been the case in wins and losses.

Tonight was no different with Cal’s stagnant offense. Jalen Celestine led the scoring with just 13 points, and was 5-for-10 in field goals. Brown scored 12, and Aimaq and Jaylon Tyson each scored 10.

Ballo had the big night for Arizona, scoring 22 points, and going a perfect 8-for-8 in field goals. Keshad Johnson had a solid night with 15 points, and KJ Lewis scored 14.

The Bears fall to 4-7 in Pac-12 play, and fall to 8-13 overall, as they will now head northwest up Interstate-10 to Tempe, where they will take on the Arizona State Sun Devils for a noon tipoff on Saturday.

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Stanford hopes to continue offensive ways in UCLA Wednesday night

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The Stanford Cardinal were a scoring machine against the Arizona Cardinal on New Years eve at Maples Pavilion at Stanford (isiphotos.com)

On Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 Michael, how shocking was that win for the Stanford Cardinal win over the Arizona Wildcats Sunday at Maples in a 18 point 100-82 win.

#2 The Cardinal got some offensive help from Kanaan Carlyle with a leading 28 points his contribution kept Stanford ahead from the Wildcats who are known to have a talented offense of their own.

#3 Follow up to Carlyle was Spencer Jones with 21 points one of four players to finish in double figures. Michael you have to agree that the Cardinal did shock not only those in attendance at Maples but the Wildcats as well.

#4 From what you’ve seen Michael this is an improved team or did Stanford just have a game plan and was prepared for the Wildcats?

#5 The Cardinal hope to keep it up as they head to Pauly Pavilion in Los Angeles to face the UCLA Bruins. The Bruins lost five of their last seven games and this might be another opportunity for the Cardinal to get another win. Tip off 6pm PT on Wednesday night.

Michael Roberson is a Stanford Cardinal beat writer at http://www.sportsradioservice.com