THE WILDCATS WIN! Arizona Men’s Basketball defeated Oregon, a former Pac-12 rival, 87-83 to progress to their second consecutive Sweet 16.

In a game that had all the fire, emotion, and razor-thin margins expected of former Pac-12 rivals, the Arizona Wildcats emerged victorious in a thrilling 87–83 victory over the Oregon Ducks on Saturday night. With the win, Arizona moves on to its second consecutive Sweet 16 under head coach Tommy Lloyd, further solidifying the program’s resurgence as a national powerhouse.

For a matchup that felt like a throwback to the golden days of the Pac-12, this was more than just a tournament game—it was a battle for bragging rights, a clash of styles, and, ultimately, a high-octane statement of Arizona’s postseason intent.

Though realignment has scattered the once-great Pac-12 across the national landscape, the NCAA Tournament provided the perfect stage for one last dance between these bitter rivals. Arizona, now bound for the Big 12, and Oregon, set for the Big Ten, collided in a game that felt as meaningful emotionally as it was in tournament terms.

“This one meant something extra,” admitted Arizona guard Kylan Boswell. “We grew up watching Arizona-Oregon battles. And now we got to finish the book.”

The atmosphere inside the arena was electric. Both fanbases traveled well, and the crowd responded to every dunk, every clutch three-pointer, every defensive stand. The energy rarely dipped, even when Oregon went on runs that might have broken lesser teams. But this Arizona squad has shown grit all year.

Arizona raced out to a 10-point lead early in the first half behind sharp shooting from Caleb Love and a dominant paint presence from Oumar Ballo. Love, who transferred from North Carolina to bring leadership and scoring punch to the Wildcats, poured in 24 points and added six assists. His deep three-pointer midway through the first half ignited a 9-0 Arizona run and helped create some early separation.

But the Ducks, known for their resilience under head coach Dana Altman, didn’t blink. Oregon’s senior guard Jermaine Couisnard, who finished with a game-high 27 points, kept his team close with relentless drives and midrange precision. N’Faly Dante added a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds, keeping the battle in the paint competitive.

By halftime, Arizona led 42–38, and the game had all the makings of a classic.

The second half was a showcase of poise and star power. When Oregon took a 64–62 lead with just over six minutes left, it felt like momentum had swung decisively. But that’s when Oumar Ballo made his presence felt. The 7-foot center, often overshadowed by flashier perimeter players, scored three straight baskets and altered multiple shots at the rim during a critical defensive stretch.

“He was a monster,” Lloyd said postgame. “We talk about toughness—it’s not always about diving on the floor. Sometimes it’s just holding your ground in the paint and making winning plays. That’s what Ballo gave us tonight.”

Ballo finished with 18 points, 13 rebounds, and three blocks in what many are calling the best postseason game of his career.

As the clock wound down, Arizona held a slim 84–83 lead with just under a minute to play. Oregon had a chance to go ahead, but Kylan Boswell stripped Couisnard near half court, sparking a fast break that resulted in a Love-to-Motiejus Krivas alley-oop dunk.

It was the knockout blow. Oregon would not score again, and Arizona iced the game with a pair of free throws from Boswell with 11 seconds remaining.

With this win, head coach Tommy Lloyd becomes the first coach in Arizona history to lead the program to back-to-back Sweet 16s in his first three seasons. While his high-tempo offense has always drawn comparisons to Gonzaga—where he spent two decades as an assistant—Lloyd is carving out his own legacy in Tucson.

“I’m just proud of our guys,” Lloyd said. “This group works. They love each other. They believe in what we’re doing. And when you have that, you’re dangerous in March.”

Lloyd’s system has transformed Arizona into one of the most dynamic offensive teams in the country. They entered the tournament averaging 87.1 points per game, and Saturday’s win was a testament to their balance—four players scored in double figures, and the Wildcats tallied 20 assists on 32 made baskets.

With the win, Arizona will face the winner of Baylor vs. Dayton in the Sweet 16. Either opponent presents a unique challenge—Baylor brings tournament pedigree and veteran guards, while Dayton has size and discipline that could frustrate Arizona’s pace.

But Arizona has experience, talent, and hunger. Caleb Love, who reached the Final Four with UNC in 2022, knows what it takes. Ballo has grown into a true inside presence. Boswell has matured into a reliable floor general. And with Lloyd orchestrating from the sideline, the Wildcats look as dangerous as any team left in the field.

In many ways, this win also serves as a bittersweet goodbye to a conference that helped shape the program’s identity. Arizona and Oregon played each other twice a year for over a decade, delivering countless classics.

“This might be the last time we play Oregon for a while,” Lloyd said. “If so, I’m glad we gave the fans a game to remember.”

Indeed, the legacy of Pac-12 basketball may be dissolving, but its impact was felt deeply on Saturday night. This was vintage conference basketball: physical, passionate, and unrelenting.

• Caleb Love (Arizona): 24 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds. Clutch from the opening tip and a steadying force in crunch time.
• Oumar Ballo (Arizona): 18 points, 13 rebounds, 3 blocks. Dominated the interior and swung momentum late.
• Jermaine Couisnard (Oregon): 27 points, 5 rebounds. Nearly willed the Ducks to an upset.

While Love and Ballo starred, Arizona also benefited from critical moments by their supporting cast. Motiejus Krivas provided timely rebounding and hustle plays, while Pelle Larsson contributed 12 points and tough perimeter defense.

Larsson’s baseline jumper with 2:01 left gave Arizona a much-needed lead after Oregon had clawed back once again. His effort on both ends may not have filled the box score, but it made a difference.

Krivas, often praised for his basketball IQ, set the crucial backscreen for the game-sealing dunk and finished with a plus-minus of +9 in just 18 minutes of action.

Arizona fans have reason to believe. This team has depth, veteran leadership, and a coach who knows how to get the most out of his roster in March. The road to a Final Four won’t be easy, but if Saturday’s win is any indication, the Wildcats are battle-tested and ready.

As the final buzzer sounded and players embraced at midcourt, one truth was clear: Arizona isn’t done yet.

“We’ve got more to prove,” said Love. “This is only the beginning.”

• Arizona
  • Caleb Love: 24 pts, 6 ast
  • Oumar Ballo: 18 pts, 13 reb
  • Kylan Boswell: 11 pts, 7 ast
  • Pelle Larsson: 12 pts, 4 reb
  • Motiejus Krivas: 8 pts, 6 reb
• Oregon
  • Jermaine Couisnard: 27 pts
  • N’Faly Dante: 15 pts, 11 reb
  • Jackson Shelstad: 14 pts
  • Kwame Evans Jr.: 10 pts, 3 stl