Arizona Crushes Arkansas 109-88, Advances to Elite Eight

[WILD]

Arizona Crushes Arkansas 109-88, Advances to Elite Eight

The top-seeded Arizona Wildcats finally broke through their Sweet 16 ceiling, cruising past the No. 4 Arkansas Razorbacks 109-88 on Thursday night in the West Region at the SAP Center in San Jose. Arizona jumped out to a 54-43 halftime lead and never looked back, pouring it on in the second half to advance to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2015. The Wildcats, now 35-2 on the season, looked every bit the powerhouse they've been all year under coach Tommy Lloyd, while Arkansas dropped to 28-9 after a gritty tournament run that ended with them simply unable to match Arizona's firepower.

Arizona dominated from the opening tip, scoring almost at will with sharp ball movement and efficient shooting that left the Razorbacks scrambling. Brayden Burries led the way with 23 points, knocking down shots from all over the floor, while contributors like Koa Peat added highlight-reel dunks and Tobe Awaka cleaned up the glass with strong interior play. The Wildcats' offense clicked on every level, building double-digit leads early and extending them whenever Arkansas tried to mount a comeback. Arkansas got solid efforts from several players, including some tough layups and threes, but they couldn't slow down Arizona's relentless attack or contain the transition game.

Up next for the surging Wildcats is a heavyweight Elite Eight showdown against No. 2 Purdue on Saturday night back in San Jose, with a trip to the Final Four on the line. The Boilermakers punched their ticket by edging Texas in a thriller earlier in the bracket, setting up what promises to be a high-scoring, physical battle between two of the nation's most efficient offenses. Arizona will lean on its depth and experience to keep the momentum going, but Purdue's balanced attack and size inside will test them like few teams have this season. A win would send the Wildcats to Indianapolis for the first time in over a decade—exactly the kind of statement this group has been chasing.

[mvpreed2]

I am beginning to think this Arizona team is as good as everyone said they were.
Arizona is off to the Elite Eight!
Their first trip since 2015!

I might as well say this right now, if Lloyd makes it to a Final Four this season?
He is automatically the second-best coach in program history!
On this episode of "What Reed Sees: Sweet 16 Edition"

Pros
Good to see Peat get going early on the offensive end (++)

You can tell Lloyd has made an added emphasis on getting into the lane this game. (+)

Also good to see Krivas being so aggressive with his paint touches (+)

At this point, ALL of the Arizona starting five are being aggressive. Even though Bradley is picking his spots, he is being aggressive too! (+)

Cons
I know Arkansas is not known to be a good shooting team, but I do not want to see Bazile/Thomas/Wagner and the rest of the role players get hot from deep (-)

These Arkansas bigs are tall, long and athletic as hell! If Calipari decides to play this game above the rim? Arizona would not be able to compete (-)

Comments
I am wondering how Lloyd is going to decide how to guard Acuff on the defensive end
Update: He is getting the same looks that Arizona gave Houston's Fleming. I like it!

If Acuff is going to be guarding Burries, Burries needs to make sure to bust his ***! Do not let Acuff rest and regain energy on the defensive end!

After a performance like this? I might officially believe that this Arizona team is Final Four good!

Conclusion
Arizona took this game to a point where I got bored and did not want to watch anymore. Which I thought I would never say about an Arizona game! They handled their business against a team/coach I thought had the potential for an upset. I guess not! Good job boys!

Next up: Purdue (Elite Eight)
#BearDown

[Cactus🌵Cat]

[Cactus🌵Cat]

https://x.com/i/status/2037770746152312913   

[LeftCoastCats]

Style of play ezpz...

Also numbers a bit inflated when we're playing a classless Arkansas team that wanted to bait us into a street game.

[KansasCityCats]

That guy obviously trolls social media and doesn't understand basketball. Arizona doesn't settle for three point shots.  Driving to the basket results in free throws. Coaching.