TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – Call it the Michigan Massacre.
Arizona’s season ended with a crushing 91-73 loss to the Michigan Wolverines Saturday night in the Final Four at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
13 News’ Damien Alameda and Sean Mahoney broke down the Wildcats’ loss to the Wolverines in the Final Four.
Aday Mara led Michigan (36-3) with a game-high 26 points and nine rebounds. Yaxel Lendeborg had 14 for the Wolverines after battling back from an injury early in the game.
Koa Peat led the Arizona (36-3) with 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Brayden Burries and Jaden Bradley each had 13 points.
The Wildcats were in the Final Four for the first time in more than two decades, but their run ended with a resounding loss to the Wolverines.
Michigan had 22 assists to only five for Arizona, and scored 26 points off of turnovers to only 12 for Arizona.
The Wildcats last played in the Final Four in 2001, when they went on to lose to the Duke Blue Devils in the championship game. Arizona’s lone national title came in 1997, when Lute Olsen led the Wildcats over Rick Pitino and Kentucky.
While Arizona is expected to lose many of its star players to the NBA draft, graduation, or the transfer portal, things look bright in Tucson. On Friday, head coach Tommy Lloyd signed a contract extension through 2031.
Lloyd is one of the top coaches in college basketball and will be able to recruit even more heavily following the Wildcats’ run in the NCAA tournament.
During his five seasons in Arizona, Lloyd is 148-36, the most wins in NCAA history for a head coach in their first five seasons. He was named The Sporting News National Coach of the Year and Big 12 Coach of the Year this season.
Even with the loss of so many players, it would not shock anyone to see the Wildcats make a deep run in the tournament again next season.
The Wolverines have played in the finale seven times, but have won only one crown. Michigan beat Seton Hall in the 1989 championship game.
Michigan will now face UConn in the title game Monday night. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m., and the game will be on TBS/TNT/TruTV.
University of Arizona fans react to the Wildcats’ loss to Michigan in the Final Four on Saturday.
The Huskies advanced to the title game earlier with a convincing 71-62 win over Illinois earlier in the day. UConn is playing in the championship game for the third time in four years, thanks to head coach Dan Hurley.
Dan Hurley’s brother Bobby should be well-known by Wildcat fans. In March, Arizona State announced Bobby Hurley would not stay on as the Sun Devils’ head coach. Bobby Hurley went 185-167 in 11 seasons in Tempe.
UConn forward Tarris Reed Jr., center, celebrates after the second half of an NCAA college basketball tournament semifinal game against Illinois at the Final Four, Saturday, April 4, 2026, in Indianapolis.
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