Arizona and Illinois both cut down the nets to end decades-long Final Four droughts on Saturday.
Arizona forward Koa Peat (10) dunks during the second half in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament against Purdue in San Jose, Calif., on March 28, 2026. Kelley L Cox/AP Photo
Both Arizona and Illinois cut down the nets for the first time in two decades amid trips to the Final Four in Indianapolis.
Top-seeded Arizona beat the No. 2 seed Purdue 79–64 on Saturday in the West Region final. Illinois, the No. 3 seed in the South Region, beat No. 9 seed Iowa 71–59 on Saturday.
Matthew Davis
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Matthew Davis is an experienced, award-winning journalist who has covered major professional and college sports for years. His writing has appeared on Heavy, the Star Tribune, and The Catholic Spirit. He has a degree in mass communication from North Dakota State University.
