Arizona Wildcats Fall to Duke in Sweet 16 Thriller, Caleb Love Shines, and Koa Peat Commits to the Future

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AZ vs Duke NCAA Tournament 2025

The Arizona Wildcats’ 2024-25 season came to a bittersweet end last night in a high-octane Sweet 16 showdown against the top-seeded Duke Blue Devils. The final score read 100-93 in favor of Duke, but the game was a testament to Arizona’s resilience, the brilliance of Caleb Love, and the promise of a bright future underscored by the commitment of top recruit Koa Peat earlier in the day. Here’s a deep dive into the night that encapsulated heartbreak, heroism, and hope for Wildcats fans.

A Battle of Titans in Newark
From the opening tip at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, it was clear this wasn’t going to be a typical NCAA Tournament game. The No. 4-seeded Wildcats (24-13) faced a Duke squad (34-3) loaded with talent, led by presumptive No. 1 NBA Draft pick Cooper Flagg. The Blue Devils came in riding a 13-game win streak and a reputation as national title favorites, but Arizona refused to back down.

The first half was a rollercoaster. Arizona trailed by as much as nine but clawed back to keep it close, heading into the break down 48-42. Duke’s late flurry—back-to-back 3-pointers, including a buzzer-beater from Flagg—stung, but the Wildcats showed their trademark grit. Then came the second half, where Duke’s athleticism and sharpshooting threatened to turn the game into a rout. The Blue Devils went on a tear, making 13 straight shots at one point and building a 19-point lead (70-51) with 13:12 remaining. For many teams, that would’ve been the end. Not for Arizona.

Fueled by an electric crowd and an unyielding spirit, the Wildcats mounted a furious comeback. They chipped away at the deficit, getting within seven points (78-71) with 7:47 left after an 8-0 run. Duke’s response was clinical—free throws and a dunk off a controversial flagrant foul call on Jaden Bradley—but Arizona’s fight until the final buzzer was a microcosm of their season: imperfect, scrappy, and unforgettable. Duke’s 60% field goal percentage and 11-of-19 performance from beyond the arc proved too much, but Arizona’s 45.5% shooting and 12-of-26 from three showed they could hang with the best.

Caleb Love’s Swan Song: A Performance for the Ages

If this was Caleb Love’s last game in an Arizona uniform—and with his eligibility exhausted, it likely was—he left everything on the court. The fifth-year senior, who transferred from North Carolina and has a storied history against Duke, delivered a masterpiece: 35 points, 11-of-21 from the field, 5-of-9 from three, and 8-of-9 from the free-throw line. It was the most points ever scored by a Wildcat in an NCAA Tournament game, surpassing Derrick Williams’ 32 against Duke in 2011.

Love’s second half was pure poetry. After a solid but unspectacular 14 points in the first 20 minutes, he erupted for 21 after the break, including a stretch where he scored 15 straight points to ignite Arizona’s rally. His ability to hit contested threes, drive to the rim, and stay composed under pressure was a reminder of why he’s been a polarizing yet undeniable force in college basketball. Posts on X lit up with praise, with fans and analysts alike marveling at his zero-turnover performance against a No. 1 seed—a feat not accomplished since Michael Finley in 1994.

For a player who’s faced Duke 10 times in his career, including a memorable 28-point outburst in the 2022 Final Four for UNC, Love’s legacy against the Blue Devils is cemented. Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd, who’s guided the team to three straight Sweet 16s, called Love “sensational,” noting his potential and growth. While the loss stings, Love’s heroics ensured the Wildcats went out swinging.

Koa Peat Commits: A Beacon of Hope

Amid the sting of defeat, Arizona fans received a massive boost earlier on March 27 when 5-star forward Koa Peat announced his commitment to the Wildcats on “The Pat McAfee Show.” The 6-foot-8 power forward from Perry High School in Gilbert, Arizona, is ranked No. 9 in the ESPN 100 for the 2025 class and is the highest-rated recruit in Tommy Lloyd’s tenure. Peat’s decision to stay home—he chose Arizona over Arizona State, Baylor, Houston, and Texas—adds a local legend to a burgeoning 2025 class that already includes top-40 prospect Dwayne Aristode and four-star Bryce James (son of LeBron).

Peat’s credentials are jaw-dropping: a three-time gold medalist with USA Basketball, a four-time Arizona state champion, and a double-double machine with college-ready strength and a high basketball IQ. His versatility—able to dominate in the post, rim-run, or space the floor—fits Lloyd’s fast-paced, high-octane system like a glove. With Carter Bryant projected as a top-20 NBA Draft pick and several current players facing eligibility or pro decisions, Peat’s arrival signals a seamless transition into the next era of Wildcats basketball.

“They’re a family; the fans and atmosphere are incredible,” Peat said of Arizona. “I feel blessed to continue my legacy here.” His commitment is a coup for Lloyd, who’s now landed a top-10 national recruit, reinforcing Arizona’s status as a destination program in the Big 12.

Looking Ahead

The 100-93 loss to Duke marks another Sweet 16 exit for Arizona, their third straight under Lloyd, and extends their Elite Eight drought to a decade. Yet, the game was no capitulation—it was a war against a juggernaut, with Caleb Love’s brilliance lighting the way. Add Koa Peat’s commitment, and the narrative shifts from disappointment to anticipation. Arizona may have fallen short this March, but the Wildcats are building something special. The future is bright in Tucson, and the next chapter can’t come soon enough.

How the Arizona Wildcats Can Tame the Duke Blue Devils in the Sweet 16

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AZ vs Duke Predictions NCAA Tournament

As the Arizona Wildcats prepare to face the juggernaut Duke Blue Devils in the Sweet 16 of the 2025 NCAA Tournament on Thursday, March 27, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Duke, the No. 1 seed in the East Region, has been a steamroller so far, boasting a 33-3 record and a roster dripping with talent led by freshman phenom Cooper Flagg. Meanwhile, the No. 4-seeded Wildcats (24-12) have shown resilience, clawing back from a 15-point deficit against Oregon to secure their spot in Newark, NJ. But to pull off the upset against a Duke team that already beat them 69-55 earlier this season, Arizona will need more than grit—they’ll need a game plan as clever as it is bold. Here’s how the Wildcats can shock the Blue Devils and keep their Final Four dreams alive.

  1. Unleash Caleb Love as the X-Factor
    Caleb Love, Arizona’s sharpshooting guard, has a complicated history with Duke from his days at North Carolina, including a dagger 3-pointer that ended Mike Krzyzewski’s coaching career in 2022. Against Oregon, Love dropped 29 points, including 20 in the second half, proving he can take over when it matters most. Duke’s defense smothered him in their November matchup (3-for-13, 8 points), but Love has evolved since then. To win, Arizona must get him going early—think off-ball screens and quick catch-and-shoot opportunities to exploit Duke’s perimeter defenders like Tyrese Proctor. If Love can heat up from beyond the arc (he hit 5-of-7 threes against Oregon), he could force Duke to adjust, opening the floor for his teammates.
  2. Neutralize Cooper Flagg with a Team Effort
    Duke’s Cooper Flagg is a 6-foot-9 nightmare—athletic, versatile, and relentless. In their earlier meeting, he torched Arizona for 22 points, with 14 coming in the second half. Stopping him outright is impossible, but slowing him down is critical. Arizona should deploy a rotating cast of defenders—KJ Lewis for his tenacity, Tobe Awaka for his rebounding prowess (14 boards vs. Oregon), and even Henri Veesaar for his length—to wear Flagg down. The goal isn’t just to contest his shots but to limit his trips to the free-throw line, where he’s lethal (7-for-9 against Baylor). A sprinkle of zone defense, like a 1-3-1, could also disrupt Duke’s rhythm and force Flagg to pass rather than attack.
  3. Dominate the Glass with Relentless Energy
    Arizona’s rebounding edge was absent in their November loss to Duke (outrebounded by 13), but it’s a strength they’ve rediscovered lately. Awaka’s 14-rebound performance against Oregon highlights their potential to control the boards. Duke’s frontcourt, anchored by 7-foot-2 Khaman Maluach, is formidable, but Arizona can exploit second-chance opportunities with hustle. Trey Townsend and Anthony Dell’Orso need to crash the offensive glass, while the guards—Love, Jaden Bradley, and KJ Lewis—must box out Duke’s athletic wings. Turning rebounds into transition buckets could flip the game’s tempo in Arizona’s favor, an area where Duke thrives but can be vulnerable if caught off-guard.
  4. Disrupt Duke’s Pick-and-Roll Machine
    Duke’s pick-and-roll game, powered by Maluach’s rolls to the rim and Proctor’s deadly shooting (7-for-8 from three vs. Baylor), has been a tournament highlight. Arizona’s usual hard-hedge defense won’t cut it here—Maluach’s size and Flagg’s playmaking will punish it. Instead, Tommy Lloyd should mix it up: sag off screens to clog the paint, then surprise Duke with occasional traps or a full-court press. Forcing turnovers (Arizona had 15 in the first meeting) could spark fast breaks, where Bradley’s speed and Love’s finishing shine. Keeping Duke off-balance is key to avoiding a repeat of their earlier blowout.
  5. Ride the Momentum of the Underdog Spirit
    Arizona enters as a 9.5-point underdog, but history favors them in this role—they’re 12-5 against the spread as a tournament dog since 1996, including a 93-77 rout of Duke in the 2011 Sweet 16. Playing in Newark, close to Duke’s fanbase, won’t be easy, but the Wildcats can feed off the us-against-the-world vibe. Lloyd’s squad thrives in chaos—see their Oregon comeback—and a few early buckets could quiet the crowd and ignite their confidence. If Arizona can channel that 2011 magic, where Derrick Williams & Co. overwhelmed Duke with a 55-point second half, they might just pull off the improbable.

The Wildcard: A Dose of Creativity
Here’s a wild idea: why not throw in a gimmick play or two? Picture this—a fake timeout call to lure Duke’s defense into relaxing, followed by a quick inbounds lob to Awaka. Or a decoy set with Love drawing attention, only for Bradley to sneak backdoor for a dunk. These wrinkles might not win the game, but they could shift momentum and rattle a Duke team that’s been cruising on autopilot.

Final Prediction
Duke’s talent and cohesion make them the favorite, but Arizona’s fight and adaptability give them a puncher’s chance. If Love catches fire, the Wildcats crash the boards, and their defense throws Duke off-script, they could eke out a 78-75 thriller. It’ll take near-perfect execution and a sprinkle of March Madness magic, but for a program with a legacy of toppling giants, it’s far from impossible. Let’s see if the Wildcats can dance past the Blue Devils and into the Elite Eight.

Arizona Wildcats Claw Back for an Epic 87-83 Victory Over Oregon Ducks in NCAA Tournament Thriller

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AZ vs Oregon Highlights NCAA Tournament 2025

On Sunday, March 23, 2025, the Arizona Wildcats delivered a performance for the ages, staging a heart-pounding comeback to defeat the Oregon Ducks 87-83 in the second round of the NCAA Basketball Tournament. Held at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, this clash of former Pac-12 titans wasn’t just a game—it was a testament to resilience, strategy, and the unrelenting spirit of a team refusing to bow out of March Madness. With a trip to the Sweet 16 on the line, the Wildcats turned a 15-point deficit into a historic victory that will echo through Tucson for years to come.

The game started with Oregon asserting dominance, soaring to a 19-4 lead that left Arizona fans in stunned silence. The Ducks, led by the sharpshooting Jackson Shelstad and the towering presence of Nate Bittle, looked poised to quack their way to a blowout. Shelstad’s 25 points and Bittle’s double-digit scoring and rebounding kept Oregon flying high early. Meanwhile, Arizona struggled to find its rhythm, with turnovers and missed shots piling up like a desert mirage gone wrong. At one point, it seemed the Wildcats were on the verge of being swept away by an Oregon tidal wave.

But if there’s one thing Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd has instilled in this team, it’s grit. The Wildcats didn’t just weather the storm—they turned it into a full-on counterattack. Down by 15, Arizona chipped away with a blend of suffocating defense and timely offense. Caleb Love, the Wildcats’ maestro, orchestrated the turnaround with a game-high 29 points, including clutch buckets that shifted momentum. Jaden Bradley and Trey Townsend each added 12 points, providing the supporting firepower needed to claw back into contention. By halftime, Arizona had erased the deficit, heading to the locker room with a slim 42-38 lead—a psychological gut punch to the Ducks.

The second half was a rollercoaster of traded blows, with neither team willing to yield. Oregon fought valiantly, with TJ Bamba’s 17 points keeping the Ducks within striking distance. But Arizona’s late-game execution proved decisive. In the final minute, Lloyd’s tactical genius shone through: a smart foul to disrupt Oregon’s rhythm, flawless defensive rotations, and a steely resolve at the free-throw line sealed the deal. Anthony Dell’Orso and Love iced the game with critical free throws, pushing the score to 87-83 as the clock ticked down.

This wasn’t just a win—it was a record-breaker. Arizona’s 15-point comeback marked the largest in their NCAA Tournament history and the second-largest in Round of 32 lore. For a program with a storied legacy, this victory added a new chapter of tenacity under Lloyd’s leadership. Now, at 24-12, the No. 4-seeded Wildcats advance to face top-seeded Duke in Newark, New Jersey, setting the stage for a blockbuster Sweet 16 showdown.

For Arizona fans, this game was a rollercoaster of emotions—panic turned to hope, then erupted into euphoria. For Oregon, it’s a bitter pill after a valiant effort fell just short at 25-10. But in the unpredictable theater of March Madness, it’s the Wildcats who get to keep dancing. With Caleb Love leading the charge and Lloyd’s strategic brilliance at the helm, Arizona is proving they’re not just a team—they’re a force. Duke awaits, and the desert faithful are ready to see if this gritty squad can keep the magic alive.

Here is the post game press conference: