In a finish that will define both programs’ seasons, Jaden Bradley delivered a miracle fadeaway at the buzzer to lift Arizona past Iowa State 82-80 in the Big 12 semifinals, a play that instantly reshapes the NCAA tournament landscape and cements a legacy of poise under pressure.
The final seconds of the Big 12 semifinal between Arizona and Iowa State on March 13, 2026, in Kansas City unfolded like a script written for drama. With the score tied at 80, Iowa State‘s Tamin Lipsey drained a clutch 3-pointer to cap a frantic comeback, sending the Cyclones’ bench into a frenzy and seeming to shift all momentum NY Post.
In the immediate transition, the Wildcats pushed the ball with seconds ticking down. Jaden Bradley took the inbound, drove right, and as the clock hit zero, launched a high-arcing fadeaway jumper over the outstretched arm of Iowa State‘s Killyan Toure. The ball cleanly swished through the net as Bradley fell to the floor, igniting a Wildcat celebration and silencing a pro-Cyclone crowd NY Post.
This wasn’t just a win; it was a validation of a season. Arizona entered the tournament with a staggering 31-2 record and a No. 1 seed earned through a dominant regular season. This victory, secured by a play of sheer audacity, justifies that seeding and projects the Wildcats as a team peaking at the perfect moment for a deep NCAA tournament run.
For Iowa State, the defeat is a crushing setback but not a season-ender. The Cyclones, led by a phenomenal shooting performance from Milan Momcilovic (28 points, 8 three-pointers) and Joshua Jefferson (21 points), played well enough to win for 39 minutes and 50 seconds. Their resume, built on elite perimeter shooting, remains strong for an at-large NCAA tournament bid. The haunting question will be how a team that controlled large stretches of the game let a single play define their tournament memory NY Post.
The strategy and execution on the final possession will be dissected for weeks. Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd praised his team’s ability to “dig deep” against an Iowa State squad that looked different from their meeting 10 days prior, acknowledging the Cyclones’ shot-making brilliance. The Wildcats’ composure in transition, with Bradley creating his own shot against a set defense, highlights a championship-level nerve.
Looking at the stat sheet, Arizona had multiple heroes. Anthony Dell’Orso led all scorers with 26 points, hitting 6-of-9 from deep, while Ivan Kharchenkov contributed 17 points and five assists. Bradley finished with 15 points, seven assists, and one immortal moment. This balanced attack, combined with their top-tier defense, presents a daunting challenge for any NCAA tournament opponent.
The fan conversation now shifts to two fronts. For Arizona fans, the euphoria is paired with visions of a Final Four run, fueled by the proof that they can win any style of game, even a rock fight decided by individual brilliance. For Iowa State faithful, the “what-if” scenario revolves around that final defensive possession—could a better contest on Bradley have altered everything? These narratives are the lifeblood of March, and this game supplied enough for a month of debates.
Ultimately, this game transcended the box score. It was a classic between two talented, determined teams decided by a single shot of sublime difficulty. Jaden Bradley etched his name in Wildcats lore, while Iowa State carries the pain of a near-perfect performance that fell one second short. The Big 12 tournament has delivered another instant classic, and the NCAA tournament field just got a clear-eyed reminder of the pressure and poetry that awaits.
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