The No. 1 Arizona Wildcats are set to play the No. 16 Long Island University Sharks in the first round of the NCAA Tournament today at 1:35 p.m. ET. The game will take place at Viejas Arena in San Diego, California.
Heading into this matchup, Arizona is riding high with nine consecutive victories. Under the direction of coach Tommy Lloyd, the Wildcats have not advanced past the Sweet 16 since he took over in 2021. The game will be broadcast on TNT and available for live streaming on DIRECTV, which offers a free trial for new users.
This season, Arizona has established itself as one of the most well-rounded teams in college basketball. Lloyd has already set a Division I record, achieving 141 wins during his first five seasons, including a Big 12 regular-season title in just his second year. The Wildcats began the current season with an impressive 23-0 record, breaking their all-time win streak. They finished the season with a strong 12-2 record against ranked teams, showcasing their elite scoring and defensive capabilities.
On the other side, this marks LIU”s first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2018, and they are aiming for their first tournament victory in program history. The Sharks dominated the Northeast Conference, winning the regular-season title by a significant margin and sweeping the conference tournament. Their success has been bolstered by returning all-conference talents like Malachi Davis and Jamal Fuller, as well as standout transfer Greg Gordon, who was named the league”s Defensive Player of the Year.
LIU is known for its athleticism and disruptive defensive style, ranking 14th nationally in block percentage and 44th in steal percentage. However, as a 16-seed, they face a daunting challenge against Arizona. The Wildcats boast a formidable frontcourt led by the 7-foot-2 Motiejus Krivas and talented freshman Koa Peat. In contrast, LIU relies on speed and pressure defense, despite their tallest starter measuring just 6″6″.
Arizona has consistently scored over 90 points in games this season, often dominating non-power opponents with six victories by 30 points or more. Meanwhile, LIU has struggled with three-point shooting, averaging only six made threes per game, making it difficult to keep pace if Arizona finds its rhythm. Betting lines reflect this disparity, with Arizona favored by 30.5 points according to FanDuel.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on this intriguing matchup as the Wildcats and Sharks battle it out for a spot in the next round.
