• Justin Spears Arizona Daily Star

The Arizona men's basketball team held a rally with fans outside of McKale Center. UA forward Koa Peat was the first Wildcat off the team bus. (Video by Justin Spears / Tucson.com)

Finally. 

After 25 years of the Arizona men's basketball program trying to get over the hump and reach the program's fifth Final Four, the Wildcats finally did it. 

Top-seeded Arizona cruised by No. 2 seed Purdue, 79-64, at SAP Center in San Jose, California Saturday night to claim the west region in the NCAA Tournament — and clinch a trip to the Final Four in Indianapolis this week. 

For the first time since the late Lute Olson coached the Wildcats to a national championship appearance in 2001, Arizona is heading back to the Final Four. 

In the wee hours of the morning on Sunday, the Wildcats celebrated with hundreds of fans packed outside McKale Center. Fans periodically chanted "U of A" and "Final Four" during the rally on Sunday. 

Arizona volleyball coach Charita Stubbs sang "Bear Down, Arizona" multiple times to hype up fans as they awaited the Wildcats' bus. 

Once the team arrived on the south side of McKale Center, the Wildcats one-by-one made their way into the arena, high-fiving UA fans and signing autographs. 

Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd grabbed a microphone to address the crowd at McKale Center and said his famous catchphrase: "Tucson, what's good?" 

Added Lloyd: "You guys deserve this! We're hungry for more! Thank you!"

We asked fans to provide their reaction to Arizona reaching the Final Four for the first time since 2001 — and they delivered. Here are some reactions to Arizona's magical run and what this season means to the UA faithful: 

Paloma: "I’m crying tears of joy. I’ve been a long time Arizona fan and to make it over the hump, I’m thrilled. This has been a long time coming. Proud of the team and the coaches."

Guard Brayden Burries greets fans at McKale Center on March 29, 2026, who gathered to welcome back the men’s basketball team after it beat Purdue, 79-64, in the West Regional final, sending them to the Final Four for the first time in 25 years. 

Kirstin Loomis: "Every year we dream of this. Seeing our own kids so invested in the game year after year only to be disappointed. To see my 20-year-old son who’s been an AZ fan his whole life say tonight to a friend 'it’s finally happening in our lifetime.' The joy we all felt tonight, priceless." 

Scott Richards: "I was having flashbacks to the golden era of the Lute Olson Cats. What a beautiful and powerful thing for Tommy Lloyd to give Lute a shout out, or should I say a shout up. Arizona basketball is a family — and there were no dry eyes in our family when we heard that." 

Nic Macaluso: "This might be, and I’m pretty sure is, the best Arizona basketball team ever. We are witnessing history if they finish it off. Most enjoyable tournament I can remember since '97 and '88 before that."

Randy: "It's feels like the weight 25 seasons of frustration being lifted off your chest and fresh air being taken in."

Benski: "Top five best days of my life."

Brando Lee: "Update ... I still have tears in my eyes." 

John Taylor: "Blood pressure meds work. I feel relief now. I'll be excited later."

JD: "Lost my dad at the beginning of this month. He played football at U of A, made sure I was a Wildcat from birth, and we would always chat about any of the sports that were in season, even when we weren’t getting along. I really miss him, but I know he’s celebrating with us."

CJ: "Made me think of my dad, who brought me up being a diehard (Arizona) basketball (fan) since I was 5. He used to serve the team after games and practice from Boston Market on Speedway (Boulevard) and passed away in 2018. He's smiling down with Lute tonight."

Ana Vicki: "My husband and I’s relationship was built on Arizona basketball since we were freshmen at U of A. We went to every game, sat on the front row at the Zona Zoo every game. For 12 years, we have been waiting for this and we finally get to share this with our 1-year-old son!"

Nick Howard: "Relief. I got to share this with my 8-year-old son."

John Schones: "This means everything to me and our community. Growing up, this was every four or five years so to go 25 years between Final Fours makes you truly appreciate how hard it is. I am so grateful these kids, year after year, are outstanding in our communities, as well." 

AZCat96: "I don’t realize I had been holding my breath for 25 years until the game ended. So many tough losses over the years … loving this win and this team."

Master Oppie Won: "My grandfather and I bonded over U of A basketball. He always told me with stories of the championship team and the Final Four appearance in 2001. I’ll always remember when we beat Duke in 2011 which was the last game we watched together. He's looking down smiling right now."

Andrew: "Been waiting for this since my senior year at Arizona when we couldn’t close against Illinois with Salim (Stoudamire) and Channing (Frye)! On cloud nine right now!"

Binitman: "(Thirty-eight years old and) born and raised in Tucson, Arizona. Countless let-downs. This is on same level of finding out I was becoming a dad."

AZ Cat John: "Seen every (Elite Eight) game starting with (1976). Wondered what it would be like to get to a (Final Four) and then Lute came. (Twenty-five) years of missing it made me wonder if I would see it before, well, you know. It is the sweetest nectar in the world." 

Forward Tobe Awaka greets fans at McKale Center who gathered to welcome back the men’s basketball team on March 29, 2026, after it beat Purdue, 79-64, in the West Regional final, sending them to the Final Four for the first time in 25 years. 

Brandon Martin: "I was in the second grade for the 2001 Final Four. I remember bits and pieces of the game against Duke and I’ve been a diehard my entire life. First time I can enjoy with our awesome community as a sentient being. So many heartbreaks. (The 2005 Elite Eight, to 2015). Worth it."

J.R. Albright: "I've got something in my eyes."

Paul Coleman: "Giant sigh of relief we’ve had so many solid teams since '01, just seems like a relief to get over the hump."

Angry Tick: "When Tommy took the time to call out Lute, I actually teared up."

AZ Bball Fan: "I cried when Tommy Lloyd was giving his postgame speech. So proud of what he has built here. Giving a shout to Lute was the cherry on top. He gets it."

Phil Phoenix: "I've been watching since Fred Snowden. That was the most impressive half of Arizona basketball I've ever seen. These kids are special. Winners in every sense."

Rob Davidson: "All of the disappointments of the past have suddenly just vanished."

Adrian: "Everything, I've been following Arizona basketball since I was kid. It's my No. 1 sports team. I literally just cried tears of joy."

JD Allred: "My love for Arizona basketball came in 2012 when they beat Florida at McKale. Since then, it’s been my mom and I’s tradition to watch games together. Since then, there have been so many high and lows. I drove three hours to watch the game with my mom. It was worth every mile."

Wesley Wagner: "I’m 40 years old and crying in front of my wife and four sons and am not the least bit embarrassed about it." 

Arizona Wildcat fans gather at McKale Center, on March 29, 2026, to welcome back the men’s basketball team after they beat Purdue, 79-64, in the West Regional final sending them to the Final Four for the first time in 25 years.

Eric: "My dad passed away and he would be over the moon right now. We used to watch games on our little iPhone, because we couldn’t afford WiFi, and right before any big play the phone would start buffering. I love and miss him, and I know he’s proud! Let’s do it for the city!"

Von Walrod: "My son was born two months after we won in '97. I never thought we would ever see another Final Four."

The Truth: "We cried as a family."

Matt Metcalfe: "I grew up sitting on my parents lap going to Arizona basketball games since 1989 when I was born. Until I graduated college, I have probably missed only a few games. This team is truly special. I have never felt so confident in a group ever. Lloyd mentioning Lute meant a lot."

AC MJ: "I can't believe it's been since 2001. So ready to buy T-shirts on the street corner! Respect to Tommy for giving the shout out to Lute and the fans!"

Scott B: "Been an AZ fan since Lute took the job. This team is special." 

Brett Bodine: "The '97 title changed the course of my life. My children literally exist because of it. I was a (sophomore) at UA and was going to transfer. I decided to stay to see if we could win another. I met my wife the next year. After going back in 2001, I never thought it would take 25 (years). RELIEF!"

Jack: "Greatest night of my life."

Fco Cast: "My kids were not born last time the Cats made it to the Final Four. It’s so sweet to share this moment with them." 

Michael Peterson: "(The 2001 season) was my first real solid memory of watching Arizona basketball. Been waiting 25 years to get back to the Final Four and hoping to celebrate natty No 2!"

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Contact Justin Spears, the Star's Arizona football beat reporter, at jspears@tucson.com. On X(Twitter): @JustinESports