Arizona Basketball Powers to Sweet 16, Defeats Utah State 78-66
SAN DIEGO (AP) – March 22, 2026 – The Arizona Wildcats are heading to the Sweet 16 for the fourth time in five seasons under head coach Tommy Lloyd, following a commanding 78-66 victory over the No. 9 seeded Utah State Aggies on Sunday. Jaden Bradley led the charge with 18 points, 12 of which came in a crucial second half, while Motiejus Krivas delivered a dominant performance with 11 points and an impressive 14 rebounds.
Wildcats Maintain Momentum
Arizona (34-2) enters Thursday’s West Region matchup against No. 4 seeded Arkansas in San Jose riding an impressive 11-game winning streak. The Wildcats are aiming to reach the Elite Eight for the first time since 2015, building on their strong start to the NCAA Tournament with a decisive 92-58 win over Long Island in the opening round.
The atmosphere in San Diego was electric, with a large contingent of Arizona fans creating a home-court advantage some 400 miles from Tucson. Despite the supportive crowd, Utah State, champions of the Mountain West regular season and tournament, proved to be a resilient opponent.
Aggies Mount a Challenge
Utah State didn’t back down easily, even when facing a 51-33 deficit early in the second half after a 9-0 run by Arizona. The Aggies clawed their way back into the game, fueled by a three-pointer from Drake Allen, narrowing the gap to 58-54.
Bradley Seals the Victory
With the game tightening, Arizona turned to their Big 12 Player of the Year, Jaden Bradley. Bradley converted a crucial fast break with a high-bank shot, drew a foul, and completed the three-point play, extending the Wildcats’ lead to seven. He continued to be a key contributor, adding a jumper and a free throw on subsequent possessions.
Key Stats and Performances
- Jaden Bradley (Arizona): 18 points
- Motiejus Krivas (Arizona): 11 points, 14 rebounds
- Brayden Burries (Arizona): 16 points, 9 rebounds
- Koa Peat (Arizona): 14 points, 10 rebounds
- Garry Clark (Utah State): 13 points
- MJ Collins (Utah State): 12 points
- Drake Allen (Utah State): 11 points
Arizona’s dominance on the boards was a significant factor in their victory, outrebounding Utah State 54-26, largely thanks to the impressive performance of the 7-foot-2 Krivas. Mason Falslev, the Mountain West Player of the Year, was limited to just eight points.
Looking Ahead to the Sweet 16
The Wildcats will face a tough test in the Sweet 16 against Arkansas. Coach Lloyd will be looking to guide his team to their first Elite Eight appearance in over a decade. The Arizona basketball program continues to build on its success, and fans are eager to see how far this team can go in the NCAA Tournament.
Source: AP News
