Has Arizona ever won a championship in basketball? History of Wildcats’ Final Four appearances originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Arizona Wildcats are having one of their best men’s basketball seasons in program history. The Wildcats finished the regular season with a 29-2 record, only losing to Texas Tech in overtime and Kansas.
Advertisement
Arizona responded by winning the Big 12’s conference tournament to earn an automatic bid into the 2026 NCAA Tournament. The Wildcats were awarded a No. 1 seed and blew past No. 16 Long Island University 92-58 in their first game. Arizona sustained its momentum with an eight-point win over No. 9 Utah State, a 21-point victory over No. 4 Arkansas and a 15-point win over No. 2 Purdue to reach the Final Four.
The Wildcats aren’t exactly a basketball blue blood, and they don’t have a rich history of sustained postseason success. Still, Arizona has had its moments over the years, and looks to add another in 2026.
Here is more on Arizona’s men’s basketball history, and whether or not the Wildcats have won a national championship.
MARCH MADNESS HQ:Live NCAA bracket | TV schedule | Latest news and more
Advertisement
Arizona basketball championship history
Has Arizona ever won a national championship?
Yes, the Wildcats have won one national championship in their men’s basketball program’s history. Arizona cut down the nets in 1997 after beating Kentucky in overtime.
The Wildcats entered that year’s NCAA Tournament as a No. 4 seed. Arizona beat No. 13 South Alabama 65-57 in the first round. No. 12 College of Charleston upset No. 5 Maryland, but they were no match for the Wildcats in the second round. Arizona then took on No. 1 Kansas in the Sweet Sixteen and won by three points.
The Wildcats matched up with No. 10 Providence in the Elite Eight and needed overtime, but advanced to the Final Four after a 96-92 victory. Arizona beat No. 1 North Carolina 66-58 in the Final Four to set up the battle of the Wildcats with Kentucky in the finale. Arizona survived the overtime clash 84-79 and cut down the nets for its first, and currently only, time in program history.
Advertisement
MORE: Mike Decourcy’s top-10 Final Four moments
Arizona Final Four history
Arizona has made the Final Four five times in program history. The Wildcats first made it to the Final Four in 1988 under head coach Lute Olson. Arizona earned a No. 1 seed that season and began the NCAA Tournament by beating No. 16 Cornell by 40 points in the first round. The Wildcats continued that momentum with a 29-point win over No. 8 Seton Hall in the second round and a 20-point win over No. 5 Iowa in the Sweet Sixteen.
Despite facing No. 2 North Carolina in the Elite Eight, Arizona still won by 18 points. The Wildcats’ dominance finally came to an end in the Final Four. Arizona took on No. 1 Oklahoma and lost 86-78.
Advertisement
Here’s a look at Arizona’s history in the Final Four.
|
Year |
Opponent |
Result |
Tournament Result |
|
1988 |
Oklahoma |
L, 86-78 |
Lost in Final Four |
|
1994 |
Arkansas |
L, 91-82 |
Lost in Final Four |
|
1997 |
North Carolina |
W, 66-58 |
Won national championship |
|
2001 |
Michigan State |
W, 80-61 |
Lost national championship |
|
2026 |
Michigan |
TBD |
TBD |
MORE: Arizona back in Final Four for the first time since Lute Olsen was coaching
When was Arizona’s last Final Four appearance?
It has been 25 years since the Wildcats last made the Final Four. Arizona’s most recent trip to the penultimate round of the NCAA Tournament came in 2001. Olson was still the head coach and helped the Wildcats earn a No. 12 seed that year. Arizona began the tournament with a 101-76 victory over No. 15 Eastern Illinois. The Wildcats then beat No. 10 Butler 73-52. In the Sweet Sixteen, the Wildcats beat No. 3 Ole Miss by 10. This set up an Elite Eight matchup against No. 1 Illinois, which Arizona won 87-81.
Advertisement
The Wildcats made the Final Four and took on No. 1 Michigan State. Arizona dominated the game, winning 80-61. Even with all of the momentum built up, it wasn’t enough that year to take down Duke, which won 82-72 in the 2001 national championship.
