Why North Carolina Wants Arizona To Lose in Final Four

The North Carolina Tar Heels have been out of the equation for two weeks after losing to the VCU Rams in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

However, there is a lot at stake this upcoming weekend for the program, as Tommy Lloyd's future with the Arizona Wildcats appears to be hanging in the balance.

Arizona Wildcats guard Brayden Burries (5) reacts after scoring a three-point field goal against the Purdue Boilermakers during a NCAA Tournament game Saturday, March 28, 2026 at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. Purdue fell to Arizona 79-64. | Christine Tannous/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Following Arizona's comfortable win over Purdue in the Elite Eight, the 51-year-old coach made some interesting comments that stirred more speculation about the possibility of him moving to Chapel Hill.

"You know, the sun may be shining on this team and me coaching it right now, but when it’s shining on you, you got to fight to protect it and build it," Lloyd said. "So that’s what I feel like my number one responsibility is, to fight to protect the program and fight to build it for those who came before me and for those that are going to follow after me, because you know what, Arizona is going to have another good coach after me. I promise you. The place is special."

Mar 25, 2026; San Jose, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Tommy Lloyd addresses the media in a press conference during a practice session ahead of the west regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images | Eakin Howard-Imagn Images

Lloyd did not necessarily silence those rumors when he spoke to the media on Tuesday ahead of Arizona's practice.

"It's absolutely true, there is going to be another coach; this is a great program," Lloyd said. "I didn't say when. People are going to speculate all they want. Guys, this team has my full focus. Nothing, nothing, I promise you nothing, is knocking me off that path. You might call them 'distractions,' but it's because you're distracted. That doesn't mean I'm distracted or we're distracted."

Mar 26, 2026; San Jose, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Tommy Lloyd claps his hands against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the second half during a Sweet Sixteen game of the West Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images | Eakin Howard-Imagn Images

With all of that being said, here are two reasons the Tar Heels should be rooting for Arizona to lose at some point this weekend.

Transfer Portal

Mar 19, 2026; Greenville, SC, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels center Henri Veesaar (13) bites his jersey against the VCU Rams in the second half of a first round game of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Bon Secours Wellness Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

With the transfer portal opening on April 7, which is the day after the National Championship game, the Tar Heels are already in a precarious position without a head coach in place. Theoretically, Arizona losing would only speed up the process by two days, as they face the Michigan Wolverines on April 4, but North Carolina would prefer to know their next head coach as soon as possible before the portal officially opens.

Arizona Winning Title Could Complicate Things

Mar 28, 2026; San Jose, CA, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Tommy Lloyd walks off the court after an Elite Eight game against the Purdue Boilermakers of the West Regional of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images | Eakin Howard-Imagn Images

If the Wildcats were able to claim their first national title since 1997, it would be much tougher for Lloyd to leave Arizona for North Carolina. The program could give Lloyd a raise, which could prevent the Tar Heels from making the hire.

North Carolina has far more financial firepower than Arizona, but Lloyd could be content if the Wildcats' administration meets his asking price.