INDIANAPOLIS—Arizona’s first trip to the Final Four in 25 years didn’t go well, its 18-point loss to Michigan tied for the second-worst by a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. It was also the 10th time a team has lost by at least that many points in the Final Four over the last 40 seasons.
The list of coaches to experience that kind of a lopsided result on this stage includes Mike Kryzewski, Kelvin Sampson, Roy Williams and Tom Izzo (twice!), among others. Each of those ended up making another Final Four after that, with a couple winning national titles.
As happy as Tommy Lloyd was to help end the UA’s Final Four drought, he’s intent on preventing anything to that long a wait for the next one.
“The first thing that popped to my head was like, one Final Four? Why don’t we go five times in 10 years?,” Lloyd said after the 91-73. “I mean, that’s where my mind’s at. You know, I’m going to do it day by day. But that’s my big dream. I mean, who knows? Maybe you guys will use that against me saying that some day, but I’m going to dream big, and I’m going to work my ass off to try to make it happen.”
Our game recap can be found here. Below is what Lloyd, Jaden Bradley, Koa Peat, Brayden Burries, Tobe Awaka, Ivan Kharchenkov and Motiejus Krivas said after the 2025-26 season came to a close:
Lloyd on Michigan: “They were outstanding tonight. Really had us on our heels tonight. We never could get in a rhythm. So they get a ton of credit for that. No one’s been able to do that to us all year. So it was an impressive performance by them.”
On the game not living up to the hype: “Michigan gets all the credit today.I mean, it wasn’t our night, and probably had a lot to do with them. They were just impressive. They were impressive how they came out and executed their game plan. And we got down a little bit, and we’ve been down a few times this year, but not like that. Just probably got a little panicky and weren’t able to settle back in. And they get credit. That’s why if you can get off to a good start in games, it’s usually pretty impactful. And that definitely was the case today.”
On if youth or experience mattered in this game: “I don’t think it was an inexperience thing today. We had a good couple of days of practice. We had a good shootaround today. I think we just came out and we played a team that was really well built. They have a great coach. They were able to take control of the game. And then really, they were like surgical at a point. So that’s hard to do. So they get a ton of credit. We have had a great year. But even if you’re a great team and you can’t get in a rhythm, it’s going to be a tough night. That’s what we felt tonight.”
On Michigan coach Dusty May calling Arizona ‘Gonzaga on steroids:’ “They did that to a few other people, not just Gonzaga this year. And this game could have went that way. Obviously they have the kryptonite right now. So that’s going to be a fun thing for me to try to figure out this offseason. “They just did a great job. And their size really impacted the game. I felt that. I see they only have (Aday) Mara down for two blocks. There’s no way. I could think of three that he tipped, you know what I mean, just right off the top of my head.”
On the difficulty of playing Michigan for the first time: “I think they’re one of those teams — I would say, like, Houston’s like that, or even Iowa State’s like that, teams we played. You have to play them a few times. And after you kind of get used to playing them a few times you get more comfortable. I think that’s probably why you saw more closer games in the … Big Ten for them towards the end because teams probably got comfortable playing them and had a better plan. I mean I wish we had another crack at it, but we don’t. And so they get a ton of credit.
On this game being labeled an unofficial title game: “Obviously they’re down to two teams left, and they’ve got a good chance to win. Listen, I don’t think anybody is going to count UConn out. So that’s why when everybody was saying this is the national championship game; it’s not the national championship game. Monday night the national championship game and you have to fight to get there. So, yeah, credit to Michigan. Really impressive tonight.”
On measuring the disappointment of this game against the success of the season: “It will probably take a little time. I knew we could do this this year. And I thought we had a chance to win this 4-team tournament. But obviously Michigan had other thoughts today. So I’m sure we’ll get back home and take a breath. But I know, myself, no loss at the end of the season feels great. But I also think that it can be a great learning tool. So we’re going to take a breath, probably try to figure out what our roster looks like next year, and like I’ve always said, in this business, as a coach, you’ve got to be tough enough to take disappointment and show back up. And we’re going to show back up. And we’re going to try to do this again but see if we can do it a little bit better.”
On Arizona’s seniors: “They were just incredible young men. Not just really good basketball players, just great young men. We never had one issue with (any) of those guys. They showed up every day. They played when they were a little banged up. They put in the work. They were great teammates. They did an amazing job of helping us kind of continue to build our culture and kind of raise the standards of the program. So I’ll always be thankful for those guys. I wish there was a fifth year of eligibility. I wish I could coach those guys again because they’re awesome, awesome young men.”
On the team overall: “They were amazing this year, and it was an awesome, awesome journey. It was as much fun as I’ve ever had coaching basketball.”
On the message to Tucson and the fan base: “Thank you. I mean, thank you. Thank them for everything. Obviously we’re disappointed we weren’t able to get it over the top for them. But I think we all saw what’s possible again. So now let’s all roll up our sleeves and support each other and see if we can make this a normal thing. That would be awesome for me.
“You sit around and you dream as a coach or you think, and these narratives in the media all get created that you can’t be in the big one, whatever. You get upset in the tournament. Well, I thought one day, man, I can’t wait until we get to a Final Four, because I knew we would, but can’t wait until we get there just so I could maybe just coach and I don’t have to worry about any of your guys’ narratives or anything.
“But then the first thing that popped to my head was like, one Final Four? Why don’t we go five times in 10 years? I mean, that’s where my mind’s at. You know, I’m going to do it day by day. But that’s my big dream. I mean, who knows? Maybe you guys will use that against me saying that some day, but I’m going to dream big, and I’m going to work my ass off to try to make it happen.”
On Michigan being able to force turnovers: “They just did a great job being in the gaps. They were kind of mixing up their (defense), whether they’re going over and under ball screens, and our guys, we didn’t do a great job adjusting the level of our screen. And so we weren’t getting the edge. And then we had a few guys over-penetrated. They’re scrappy and handsy, and they got their hands on some balls. That was kind of the first thing.
“Then I felt like there was at least, I don’t know, four or five rebound situations on our end when we were on defense that we had the ball or could have had the ball and we just didn’t secure it. That’s tough when that happens right in front of the rim; they pick it up and lay it in. So the combination of those two things got them off to a really good start. Dusty is a really good coach. Once they get on a good start, he kind of really knows how to control the game. And when you’re controlling the game and you’re running your actions and you’re getting some open shots or semi-open shots, you knock them down, it makes it really tough to come back, and that’s what they were able to do.”
Bradley on his foul trouble: “ Definitely wanted to be out there with my guys. They did a great job of putting me in ball screens. I was trying to cheer my guys on on the bench. We’ve got talented freshmen and other talented players. But Michigan just did a great job, and we weren’t able to kind of catch up and tie it up.”
On his Arizona career: “It means a lot. I appreciate Coach Lloyd and the staff for taking me in and giving me, I’d like to say, like a fresh start. I appreciate this team. We accomplished a lot this year. We definitely wanted to win this game, but Michigan was the better team tonight. Appreciate Tucson. Just love this group and cherish the last couple gatherings we have together before everybody goes their own ways. But just happy to be a part of this team.”
On his favorite moments from the season: “I would say just, on and off the court, I feel like you really get to figure your teammates out, know what they’re like, meet their families. Just stuff beyond basketball. I felt like it brings you closer on the court, and I feel like we did a lot of stuff like that this year.”
Peat on the difference between this game and the Elite Eight vs. Purdue: “I just think it wasn’t our day, honestly. A lot of shots went in and out. Halftime, Coach told us the same thing, just to stay together, go out there, play our brand of basketball. And I’m just proud of the guys. We fought. Just didn’t come out on top. But I’m super thankful for these guys. I love these guys, and I cherish every moment we had together. And just really grateful for everybody.”
On Aday Mara: “He’s just a good player, really unique. He had a really good game tonight. So props to him.”
On being called Mr. Arizona: “It means everything to me. Being a kid from Arizona, putting on this jersey, having Arizona across my chest. Like I said in the beginning of the season, when I put Arizona across my chest, I’m going to go 110 percent every game and leave no regrets. I’m just really thankful for the brand and the program for everything they did for me, and these teammates right here. I’m just super blessed. And it was a special year, and I’m just really thankful for everybody in Tucson, for sure.”
On the first time in his career ending a season with a loss: “I mean, it’s tough for me to process this right now. I really haven’t fully processed it. Just learn from it. You’re not going to be perfect every night. But just knowing that I gave this team all I had, I could put my head on a pillow at night and be able to sleep. Super thankful. And these two right here, I love these guys. We’re going to have a relationship for the rest of our lives. And Coach too. Coach brought me in. I can’t thank Coach enough for how much he trusted and believed in me, and I’m just really thankful for him and this program and everybody, honestly.”
Burries on Lloyd’s halftime speech: “The halftime speech was the same (as Purdue), no matter how much we were down by, it was the same. Coach Murph came in and told each other everybody get up, dap each other up. And we watched the clips. And then, Coach Lloyd came in gave us the pep talk we needed. Then we went out there and we just couldn’t get it done. Michigan, they were making a lot of shots and they played great. And I’m just thankful, though, for the experience I had with these guys. Very blessed. Learned a lot about not only myself but one another.”
On the turnovers: “They had a great defensive plan. They were pretty bigger. But I feel like most of our shots were just, like, in and out. Like, it was in the rim and then out. And sometimes it’s just not your day, and today just wasn’t our day, honestly.”
On his favorite moment from the season: “I couldn’t even pick, but it honestly would be just being around the guys, probably just in the locker room, or just, like, practice, going and competing against one another. And just being around the guys, honestly, it’s unexplanatory. It’s just a blessing.”
Awaka on the season: “It was super special, obviously, 25 years since the last Final Four and obviously wanted more. But I think that we can look back and say that we put our best foot forward. We had a great group, a great team put together. You know it’s going to sting, because when you know you’re so close to a championship and it slips to your fingers a little bit, it can be tough. But I think we’ll look back and say this is a great basketball experience.”
On if the UNC rumors with Lloyd bled into the locker room: “He didn’t mention it, not once. You wouldn’t even think it was even happening, to be honest. Honestly, I wasn’t even on social media. Most of the guys weren’t on social media just to lock in for the time being. Obviously, we heard chirpings of it, but it wasn’t really anything serious. Honestly, I didn’t really get brought up to me until media told us that he had re-signed and we got asked about it.”
Kharchenkov on the UA fans: “It’s been great. They picked me up really good, really quick. I love Tucson.”
On his favorite part of the season: “The journey. From the beginning of the preseason, being new, getting to know everything, everything looks new for myself, and then just going throughout the season, learning more stuff, new stuff, playing in big arenas with sold out crowds and with teammates, and going through adversity with my now family.”
On Michigan’s defense: “They were really gappy. They definitely looked at our film. They were definitely there.”
Krivas on what didn’t work: “Michigan is just a great team. They had a really great defensive plan, I think we couldn’t figure out how to score. And then on defense, we started really bad. We couldn’t get the rebounds, loose balls. We kind of came back a little bit, but we couldn’t hold them. They made a bunch of great plays, great shots, all credit to them. They deserve this one.”
On the season overall: “Before the season, every team wants to be remembered as a champion. And now it sucks, it hurts, but I think as the time will go through, we will all understand what we did and that we led Arizona to (the) Final Four, which is a huge deal, and it will a be great opportunity to learn from mistakes and come here again next year.”
On when he’ll decide about his future: “All I’m thinking about is this game, what we could have done better. Just need to settle down and get back and just relax.”
