Arizona’s Caleb Love and Duke coach Jon Scheyer hug after a Sweet 16 game in the 2025 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament in Newark, New Jersey. The Blue Devils ended the Wildcats’ season. (Photo by Ben Solomon/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)
NEWARK, N.J. – A quiet fell over the streets of Newark, New Jersey, Thursday night near the Prudential Center as the Arizona Wildcats entered the arena that would soon decide their fate.
It was a sharp contrast to what had just occurred there, a game between BYU and Alabama that saw more than a combined 200 points scored. A smattering of Arizona fans trickled into the stands, rooting for their team far away from the heat of the desert. Their red and white was nearly washed away by the ocean of blue that surrounded them.
Deafening cheers for Duke’s Cooper Flagg followed, and maybe even louder boos for Arizona’s Caleb Love as they were announced onto the court.
The Sweet 16 game lived up to its billing, showcasing some of the best in college basketball, but it ended with the Wildcats falling to the Blue Devils, 100-93.
“Super proud of our guys,” Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd said. “I mean, our guys really hung with it this year, and the season was obviously an adventure, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
It was a trend among Arizona players to highlight their rocky start to their season, but just a day ago, several teammates said they felt ready to face the Blue Devils despite an early season loss to them in November.
Lloyd said in a press conference the day before that he wouldn’t exactly know how the game would go until the ball went up.
Duke grabbed the tip and followed with a quick layup, setting the tone for the game.
Midway through the first half, Love had yet to score. He soon responded with a pair of 3-pointers, and then hit another with 46 seconds to go to tie the game at 42. Wildcats fans got up on their feet and cheered the loudest they had all game.
It was still no use against number one NBA draft prospect Cooper Flagg, who sunk a 3 just as time ran out in the first half.
The second half started off with multiple dunks from Duke, and less than seven minutes in, the Blue Devils were up by 19.
Arizona struggled to secure rebounds on both ends of the court but was able to claw back to within five with 1:56 to go on a Carter Bryant 3-pointer.
It was the closest the Wildcats came.
As the last 30 seconds ticked away, Arizona fans began to grow quiet, and Duke fans trailed out of the stands – feeling confident in their win.
Love ended the game as the leading scorer on both teams with 35 points, a bittersweet goodbye to the Arizona Wildcats.
“The points are good,” Love said. “But the relationships that I’ve built over the course of my career, especially at Arizona, is just … I give all my thanks to them.”
Much of the Wildcats’ postgame press conference highlighted Love’s career, and his impact on the team.
“I’m going to miss Caleb,” Lloyd said. “Obviously, he’s had an amazing career. I’m so excited for his future. I know he was tremendous today, and he’s going to wake up tomorrow and he’s going to smile because he has a lot to look forward to. So I’m really, really proud of him.”
Teammates Jaden Bradley and Henri Veesaar had nothing but good things to say at the podium for their fellow teammate.
“I just want to set the record straight,” Veesaar said. “For any scouts or anybody who thinks he’s not a good teammate, he’s the best person. Everybody loves him on the team. There’s no problem with him. The best person we have.”
Lloyd was emotional when the players left the podium.
“Honestly, thankful,” Lloyd said. “Just have crazy gratitude for how fortunate I am in my life to be where I’m at and doing what I’m doing and doing it with who I am doing it. Just awesome kids.”
With the Wildcats out, they look to their future. And it looks bright.
Arizona’s number one ranked high school player, Koa Peat, picked the Wildcats Thursday over Arizona State, Texas and Houston.
Along with Peat, LeBron James’ son Bryce has also committed to Arizona, suggesting a hopeful future for the Wildcats.
“A ton of respect for Tommy Lloyd, his team, Arizona, their program,” Duke coach Jon Scheyer said. “I thought they were incredible tonight.”