This first round NCAA Tournament matchup between the LIU Sharks and Arizona Wildcats on Friday is expected to be a lopsided one. Arizona is one of the top teams in the country with a 32‑2 record and carries both the Big 12 regular-season and tournament titles into the Big Dance. Meanwhile, LIU will make its first March Madness appearance since 2018 by winning the Northeast Conference crown, a huge achievement for the program under coach Rod Strickland. Can the Sharks put the Wildcats on upset alert? You can find my Long Island vs Arizona prediction before tip-off right here.
Long Island vs Arizona Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Long Island University Sharks @ Arizona Wildcats
- Date & Time: Friday, March 20, 2026
- Venue: Viejas Arena, San Diego, CA
Key Storylines
- Arizona enters as a top seed after completing a run marked by conference dominance and a nine‑game winning streak heading into NCAA Tournament play. Their record includes a Big 12 title sweep and marquee wins over ranked opponents.
- LIU punched its ticket with a Northeast Conference championship and now gets a prime opportunity to challenge a blue‑blood program on college basketball’s biggest stage.
- Arizona has national title futures odds among the top contenders, with teams like Duke, Michigan, and Florida among the only schools with comparable odds.
Key Players
Arizona Wildcats
- Brayden Burries – The leading scorer averaging around 16.0 points per game and a key offensive engine. His ability to score at all three levels stretches defenses and provides sustained scoring.
- Tobe Awaka – A dominant presence on the boards with near double‑digit rebounding, giving Arizona an edge on both ends of the floor.
- Jaden Bradley – The team’s primary facilitator with about 4.6 assists per game, crucial for running the offense and generating clean looks.
Long Island University Sharks
- Jamal Fuller – Peaking at around 16.6 points per game and grabbing significant rebounds, Fuller leads LIU’s attack and creates matchup problems for smaller defenses.
- Malachi Davis – A driving force in the backcourt who consistently puts pressure on opposing defenses and can swing momentum with his scoring ability.
- Greg Gordon – Brings efficient scoring, often at high percentages, helping LIU maintain offensive balance against higher‑tier teams.
Stat Comparison
| Statistic | Arizona | Long Island |
|---|---|---|
| Points per game | 86.1 | 74.1 |
| Team Field Goal % | 50% | 48% |
| Rebounds per game | 42.5 | 35.0 |
| Assists per game | 16.9 | 13.6 |
Betting Trends
- Arizona is 19-14-1 against the spread this season.
- LIU is 17-17 against the spread going into March Madness.
- The under is 20-14 in games involving the Sharks this year.
- The Wildcats are 17-17 in the over/under market this season.
Long Island vs Arizona Pick & Model Projection
- Score Projection: Long Island University 58 – Arizona 90 ATS PRO
- Pick: Arizona -31.5 ATS PRO
- Confidence: 3 out of 5 ATS PRO
- Win Probability: Arizona 92%, Long Island University 8% ATS PRO
My projection reflects the substantial gulf between the Wildcats and Sharks in terms of offensive firepower, defensive efficiency, and depth. Arizona’s ability to generate points in transition, rebound at elite rates, and control tempo against lesser opponents makes them my pick in this first‑round contest. While LIU’s collective effort and NEC championship credentials are commendable, the level of competition they faced pales in comparison to Arizona’s gauntlet of ranked teams. I’ll lay the points with Arizona as they begin what they hope is a deep tournament run.
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