Arizona's men's basketball team took a step closer to their dream of reaching the Final Four as they became the first team to secure a spot in the NCAA tournament's Sweet 16. The second-seeded Wildcats secured a hard-earned 78-68 victory over a resilient Dayton side.

Dayton, who had previously staged an impressive comeback in the first round, found themselves trailing once again, this time by 17 late in the first half against the Wildcats. However, they fought back valiantly, going on a 10-0 run just before halftime and later reducing the deficit to as little as three. Arizona, though, did not crumble under the pressure, stringing together enough stops to extend their lead to double digits and secure the win.

Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd made a crucial adjustment to neutralize Dayton's pick and roll strategy by deploying a small-ball lineup, with versatile forward Keshad Johnson at the center. This change in tactics provided the Wildcats the necessary defensive stability to pull away from the Flyers.

The victory sets up a highly-anticipated Sweet 16 matchup for Arizona, who will now face either third-seeded Baylor or sixth-seeded Clemson on Thursday in Los Angeles.

Highlighting the stellar performance for Arizona was guard Caleb Love, who scored 13 of his team-high 19 points during the opening 12 minutes of the game. Dayton's DaRon Holmes II put on an impressive display for his team, contributing 23 points and 11 rebounds, primarily through the pick and roll.

Arizona's triumph keeps the Pac-12 conference's perfect record intact in the NCAA tournament. With a 6-0 record this week, the conference continues to showcase its dominance, with Washington State, Oregon, and Colorado still set to compete in the Round of 32.

Arizona's coach, Tommy Lloyd, has experienced significant success during his three seasons at the helm. With almost 90 wins, two Pac-12 titles, and two conference tournament crowns to his name, Lloyd aims to guide the Wildcats to a deep run in the NCAA tournament, a feat he has yet to achieve.

The possibility of a home-state Final Four for Arizona looms large, providing both excitement and motivation for the team as they continue their quest for glory. With just two wins standing between them and their dream, the Wildcats are poised to make a lasting mark on the NCAA tournament.