The NCAA Tournament continues with a first-round matchup between the Long Island University Sharks and the Arizona Wildcats. Arizona enters the tournament as the No. 1 seed after a dominant season in the Big 12, while LIU earned its place after winning both the Northeast Conference regular season and tournament titles.
Arizona has been one of the most consistent teams in college basketball this season and comes into March Madness with strong momentum. LIU, however, has also built confidence after a successful conference run and will look to compete against one of the top programs in the country.
Match Details
| Match | Long Island University Sharks vs Arizona Wildcats |
|---|---|
| Tournament | NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament 2026 |
| Round | Round of 64 |
| Date | March 20, 2026 |
| Time | 1:35 PM ET |
| Venue | Viejas Arena |
| TV Channel | TNT |
The winner of this matchup will advance to the second round of the tournament as the path toward the Final Four continues.
Team Records
| Team | Record | Conference |
|---|---|---|
| Long Island University | 24–10 | Northeast Conference |
| Arizona Wildcats | 32–2 | Big 12 |
Arizona finished the season with one of the best records in the country and also secured the Big 12 tournament title. LIU had an impressive run in the NEC, winning both the regular season championship and the conference tournament.
Betting Odds
| Category | Odds |
|---|---|
| Spread | Arizona -30.5 |
| LIU Spread | +30.5 |
| Over/Under | 150.5 |
| Moneyline | Arizona -100000 |
| LIU | +5000 |
Arizona enters the matchup as a heavy favorite because of its dominant season and overall strength compared with LIU.
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Arizona Team Overview
Arizona has been one of the strongest teams in college basketball this season and earned the No. 1 seed after dominating the Big 12.
| Arizona Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Season Record | 32–2 |
| Conference | Big 12 |
| Tournament Seed | No. 1 |
| Current Form | Multiple consecutive wins |
The Wildcats have been extremely efficient offensively and have consistently controlled games through strong scoring and rebounding.
Arizona’s offense ranks among the best in the country in points scored and field-goal efficiency. The team also rebounds very well, which often gives them extra scoring opportunities.
Another important strength for Arizona has been defensive discipline, allowing them to limit opponents’ scoring chances.
Long Island University Team Overview
LIU enters the tournament after a strong season in the Northeast Conference and will attempt to challenge the top seed.
| LIU Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Season Record | 24–10 |
| Conference | Northeast Conference |
| Conference Titles | Regular season and tournament |
| Recent Form | Multiple recent wins |
The Sharks have been competitive on both ends of the floor this season. They rank well in effective field-goal percentage and have shown the ability to create extra possessions through offensive rebounding and forced turnovers.
Although LIU faces a significant challenge against Arizona, the team has shown resilience throughout the season.
Team Statistical Comparison
| Category | LIU | Arizona |
|---|---|---|
| Points Scored | 74.14 | 87.19 |
| Field Goal % | 47.70% | 50.36% |
| 3-Point % | 35.52% | 35.36% |
| Total Rebounds | 35.52 | 43.41 |
Arizona holds a clear advantage in overall scoring and rebounding, while LIU has shown efficient shooting numbers throughout the season.
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Betting Trends
| Team | Trend |
|---|---|
| LIU | 4-1 ATS in last five games |
| LIU | Under in 14 of last 20 games |
| Arizona | 9-0 straight up in last nine games |
| Arizona | 6-0 vs NEC opponents |
Arizona has been extremely consistent recently, while LIU has also shown solid performances against the spread in recent games.
Player Prop to Watch
| Prop Bet | Prediction |
|---|---|
| Brayden Burries 3-Pointers | Under 1.5 made threes |
Arizona generally does not rely heavily on three-point shooting and often focuses on scoring inside the arc. That style of play could limit the number of long-range attempts in this matchup.
Long Island vs Arizona Prediction
Arizona enters the game as the clear favorite and is widely expected to win the matchup. The Wildcats have been dominant throughout the season and have one of the strongest overall rosters in the tournament.
However, the large spread makes the matchup interesting from a betting perspective. LIU has played solid basketball in recent weeks and could keep the score closer than expected if they create extra possessions and limit mistakes.
| Prediction Category | Pick |
|---|---|
| Game Winner | Arizona |
| Spread Pick | LIU +30.5 |
| Predicted Score | Arizona 74 – LIU 72 |
Arizona is expected to advance to the next round, but LIU’s balanced play and recent form could help the Sharks stay competitive and cover the spread in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
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