After the best start in program and Big 12 history, a regular season and tournament title sweep, conference coach and player of the year honors, and the first Final Four appearance in a quarter century, a 91-73 blow out loss to the Michigan Wolverines in the national semifinal is a heartbreaking way for the Arizona Wildcats to end their magical run.
But even with the disappointing loss in Indianapolis, these Wildcats and their fans have a lot to be proud of. Between cutting down three nets, advancing past the Sweet 16 for the first time in over a decade, and securing Tommy Lloyd in Tucson for years to come, Arizona is right where it belongs – back among the creme de la creme of college basketball.
The Bullies Got Beat Up: How Michigan Stole Arizona’s Lunch Money in Indianapolis
After a dominant season and run through the first two weekends of the NCAA Tournament, Arizona did something it hadn’t done all season that ultimately sent the Wildcats packing ahead of Monday’s national title game. Arizona played scared and panicked. All season long, Tommy Lloyd’s team has been the bully. Game in, game out, Arizona played with physicality, aggression at the rim, and a sense of maturity and poise that willed it to a 36-2 record heading into Saturday.
But the moment looked too big for the Wildcats. Unlike the Big 12 Tournament semifinal, when Arizona fell behind 14-2 to Iowa State early, the UA couldn’t recover from the early haymakers against Michigan on Saturday The Wolverines jumped out to a 10-1 lead in the first 2.5 minutes of the game and the Wildcats were never able to stem the tide, making uncharacteristic mistakes and unforced errors all night long.
Some of those errors include shooting 7-14 on layups, finishing with just five assists, compared to 22 for Michigan, and allowing the Wolverines to score 26 points off 14 turnovers. But there was none bigger than the lack of composure, particularly by the seniors, in the biggest game in a quarter century. Jaden Bradley, who had been lauded all season as “The Closer” for his big-time play-making and clutch shots late in games, picked up three fouls in the first half and his fourth 90 seconds into the second.
Credit: MICHAEL CONROY / AP
But the moment that encapsulated the Wildcats’ collapse came at the 12:04 mark in the first half, when Tobe Awaka fired off a panicked three-point attempt. In that moment, it was apparent, the magic had run out. When Awaka, the most mature and composed player on the court, threw up that prayer, there was nothing Arizona was going to do to come back.
Don’t Cry Because it’s Over, Smile Because it Happened:
But enough about the result on the court. We all know what happened and don’t need to relive it anymore. This was a special season in Tucson and both Tommy Lloyd and the players made sure to express their love and appreciation for one another when it came to an end. Seniors Jaden Bradley, Tobe Awaka, and Anthony Dell’Orso will go down in history as some of the most impactful players in the last quarter century, helping Lloyd establish a culture that will serve as the foundation in Tucson for years to come.
“They were just incredible young men. Not just really good basketball players, just great young men,” said Tommy Lloyd after the game.
“They showed up every day. They played when they were a little banged up and they put in the work. And they were great teammates. They did an amazing job of helping us kind of continue to build our culture and kind of raise the standards of the program.”
“I wish I could coach those guys again because they’re awesome, awesome young men.”
For the guys with Arizona across their chest, after suiting up in what would be their final game in a Wildcat uniform, it was nothing but love for one another, the City of Tucson, and the fans.
“Appreciate Coach Lloyd and the staff for taking me in and giving me, I’d like to say, like a fresh start. I appreciate this team. We accomplished a lot this year,” said Jaden Bradley. “Appreciate Tucson. Just love this group and cherish the last couple gatherings we have together before everybody goes their own ways. But just happy to be a part of this team.”
For Anthony Dell’Orso, while his career has come to a close, he says he’ll cherish these memories and relationships for a lifetime.
“These are people that I’ll be friends with for life, wherever basketball takes us, wherever life takes us, we’ll always stay in touch.”
And for Tobe Awaka, it’s more of the same.
“I love those guys dearly. Two years together going to war together. Those are brothers for life. Appreciate them for all that they’ve done and all that they’ve instilled in me and helped me with. It’s tough that we couldn’t get it all the way. But again, you make relationships for life.”
Goodbyes are never easy. That’s the hard part of seasons ending. The truth is we’ll never see Jaden Bradley, Tobe Awaka, or Anthony Dell’Orso, and likely Brayden Burries and Koa Peat, put an Arizona uniform again. So instead of focusing on the loss, remember the wins, from knocking off the defending national champion Florida Gators on opening day, to back-to-back wins against UCLA and at UConn, to Brayden Burries’ blocked shot to seal the game at BYU.
Remember the season sweep over ASU, and Delly’s explosion against BYU and Houston with Koa Peat injured. And remember Ivan Kharchenkov hyping up the crowd and his scrappy style of play. Remember Jaden Bradley’s buzzer beater in the Big 12 Tournament, as Arizona swept the Big 12 regular season and tournament titles. Remember the nerves of going toe to toe with Utah State in San Diego, and the excitement of beating Arkansas in San Jose, only to top it by taking down Purdue to make it to the Final Four. And remember the emotion from Mo Krivas in the locker room after the game, and the pure joy and relief from Justin Kokoskie after making his first Final Four in 23 years.
Because it is those memories that will be with us for a lifetime. Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.
Things Are Just Getting Started in Tucson!
Between softball, baseball, and spring football, there’s still plenty to be excited about back in Tucson! But if you’re already looking forward to next season at McKale, take comfort in a few things. First, Tommy Lloyd is here to stay!
After a tense two weeks of rumors about North Carolina’s head coaching vacancy swirling Lloyd and the program, the winningest head coach in college basketball through their first five seasons is off the market. After inking a deal with Arizona on the eve of the Final Four, Lloyd will remain in Tucson through the 2030-31 season and is now one of the highest paid coaches in college basketball, with a salary starting at $7.2 million next season.
The Wildcats also have two of the top players in the 2026 recruiting class heading to Tucson next fall in Cameron Holmes and Caleb Holt, the No. 4 overall prospect this year. While Tommy Lloyd and Co. will be plenty busy finding Jaden Bradley’s replacement in the transfer portal, as well as adding depth to a roster that could potentially need to replace all five starters, there’s lots to be excited about from a coaching and personnel perspective.
Then, there’s the possibility of returning to the promise land again in 2026. Now that Arizona has finally broken through the Sweet 16 glass ceiling under Tommy Lloyd, whose to say the Wildcats can’t make more regular appearances in the Final Four?
“I thought one day, man, I can’t wait until we get to a Final Four, because I knew we would, but can’t wait until we get there just so I could maybe just coach and I don’t have to worry about any of your guys’ narratives or anything.”
“But then the first thing that popped to my head was like, one Final Four? Why don’t we go five times in 10 years? I mean, that’s where my mind’s at. You know, I’m going to do it day by day. But that’s my big dream. I mean, who knows?”
Because for a guy like Tommy Lloyd, now that he’s got a taste of the Final Four, it’s going to be hard to keep him from doing everything in his power to get back to the summit.
“Maybe you guys will use that against me saying that some day, but I’m going to dream big, and I’m going to work my ass off to try to make it happen. “