The 2026 Final Four is taking shape and two more teams have punched their tickets. Arizona and Illinois both delivered dominant performances in the Elite Eight to secure their spots in the national semifinals.
ESPN and NBA.com published detailed breakdowns of both games which saw the winners take control early and never look back. Arizona defeated Purdue while Illinois took down Iowa in games that were more decisive than many expected.
Arizona Takes Down Purdue
Arizona came out with an intensity that Purdue simply could not match. The Wildcats dominated on both ends of the floor using their athleticism and depth to wear down a Purdue team that had been one of the most consistent programs in the tournament.
The victory sends Arizona to the Final Four where they will face one of the remaining Elite Eight winners. The Wildcats have been on a mission all tournament and their performance against Purdue showed they are legitimate national championship contenders.
ESPN called Arizona performance one of the most complete games of the entire tournament from start to finish.
Illinois Handles Iowa
Illinois was equally impressive in their Elite Eight matchup against Iowa. The Fighting Illini used a balanced attack and suffocating defense to pull away in the second half and secure their spot in the Final Four.
The win is a historic moment for the Illinois program which has been building toward this for years. The team chemistry and execution have been on full display throughout the tournament and they enter the Final Four with confidence and momentum.
Final Four Preview
The Final Four is set for Indianapolis and the matchups promise to deliver incredible basketball. Arizona and Illinois will be joined by the winners of the remaining Elite Eight games. Tickets and broadcast information are available on NCAA.com and games will air on CBS and TBS with streaming on the March Madness Live app on Apple and Android.
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