The Arizona Wildcats are 26-2 overall with three games left in the regular season. They are 13-2 in the Big 12, with a two-game lead over Kansas, Iowa State, Houston and Texas Tech, who are all 11-4 in conference play.
They are ranked No. 2 in the country and have wins this season over Florida, UCLA, UConn, Auburn, Alabama, BYU and Houston.
By all accounts, they are one of the best teams in the country, putting a lot of pressure on coach Tommy Lloyd and the Wildcats.
Is it Final Four or bust for Arizona in 2026?
It is starting to look like it. Anything less than a Final Four trip for the Wildcats would probably be considered a huge disappointment for Arizona this season.
VOTE: How far does Arizona basketball need to advance in March Madness for the 2025-26 season to be considered a success? #ArizonaWildcats#BearDown#Big12#Big12MBB (Final Four or bust?: https://t.co/w7pVsN63jf)
— Jeremy Cluff (@Jeremy_Cluff) February 25, 2026
Arizona Wildcats in midst of lengthy Final Four, Elite 8 drought
Arizona won its lone NCAA title under Lute Olson in 1997.
It has not been to the Final Four since 2001.
It hasn't made the Elite 8 since 2015.
That's a long drought for a team many consider to be one of the best programs in the country.
Wildcats fans are growing restless. Is this the year the drought ends with a very long NCAA Tournament run for Arizona
Tommy Lloyd's best chance at national championship?
Tommy Lloyd is 138-35 in five seasons as the Wildcats coach. By most accounts, he's been a stellar coach for Arizona.
But one blemish on his coaching record? His NCAA Tournament record.
The Wildcats are 6-4 in four trips to March Madness under the coach. They haven't made it past the Sweet 16.
In 2022, they lost in the Sweet 16 as a No. 1 seed. In 2023, they lost in the first round as a No. 2 seed. In 2024, they lost in the Sweet 16 as a No. 2 seed. In 2025, they lost in the Sweet 16 as a No. 4 seed.
Barring a late-season collapse, Arizona appears as a No. 1 seed in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, and a No. 1 seed with a great chance for a very long NCAA Tournament run.
Pressure building for Arizona basketball in 2025-26 season
How far does Arizona need to advance for the 2025-26 season to be considered a success?
Would the team's first trip to the Elite 8 under Tommy Lloyd be enough for the season to be considered a success for Arizona
That would probably be a letdown for a team ranked so highly for most of the 2025-26 college basketball season.
No, it appears the Wildcats are Final Four-or-bust this season. Anything less would likely be a big disappointment for Arizona fans.
Can Arizona deliver with the high expectations in the NCAA Tournament?
We don't have to wait long to find out.
The NCAA Tournament Selection Show is on March 15.
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Final Four or bust for Arizona Wildcats, Tommy Lloyd? Pressure rising