As Arizona embarks on their NCAA Tournament journey, they're set to face Long Island in San Diego this Friday. Long Island, boasting a 24-10 record and a strong 15-3 finish in the Northeast Conference, secured their tournament spot by clinching the postseason championship.
Arizona, with an impressive 32-2 record, dominated the Big XII by winning both the regular season and tournament titles. Many experts have pegged Arizona as the frontrunner for the 2026 National Championship, especially now that they're entering the tournament healthy after a challenging February.
Long Island presents a starting lineup ranging from 6'4" to 6'6", which might give Arizona the upper hand in rebounding and inside scoring-areas they've excelled in all season. While neither team is known for prolific three-point shooting, Long Island's 36.1 percent from beyond the arc ranks them 58th nationally.
Keep an eye on Long Island’s key players: forward Jamal Fuller and guards Malachi Davis and Greg Gordon, who all average between 14.1 and 16.4 points per game. On Arizona's side, expect standout performances from center Motiejus Krivas and forwards Tobe Awaka and Koa Peat.
The game tips off at 10:35 AM MST/PDT at Viejas Arena, with Kevin Harlan calling the play-by-play, and analysis from Robbie Hummel and Stan Van Gundy. Lauren Shehadi will provide insights from the sidelines.
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, Arizona enters the game as a 30.5-point favorite. The odds are set with Long Island at -105 to cover the spread, while Arizona is -115. For those feeling lucky, Long Island is a long shot at +8000 on the money line, with Arizona sitting at -100000.
This matchup marks only the second time these teams have met, with their last encounter dating back to January 29, 1951, when Arizona narrowly edged out Long Island 62-61 in Tucson.