Arizona Dominates LIU in NCAA Tournament First Round Arizona secured a decisive victory over LIU in the NCAA Tournament first round on March 20, 2026, with the final score reflecting a commanding performance. The Wildcats, ranked No. 1, never allowed their opponents to take the lead, showcasing their dominance throughout the game. The LIU Sharks, seeded No. 16, faced an uphill battle as Arizona’s offensive efficiency and defensive intensity proved insurmountable. Arizona’s Ivan Kharchenkov led the charge with a double-double performance, tallying 14 points and 10 rebounds while contributing two assists. Brayden Burries added 18 points, including four three-pointers, to bolster Arizona’s scoring attack. LIU’s Jamal Fuller and Mason Porter-Brown contributed 11 and 15 points respectively, but their efforts were overshadowed by Arizona’s relentless play. The game’s betting lines highlighted Arizona’s overwhelming advantage. The Wildcats were required to win by 31 points or more to cover the spread, a target they easily surpassed. The over/under for total points was set at 147.5, and the teams combined for 150 points, giving bettors who took the over a clear win. Arizona’s victory at -100000 odds meant a $100,000 bet would yield a total return of $100,100. Key moments in the game underscored Arizona’s dominance. In the first half, the Wildcats executed a 15-4 run over 4 minutes and 34 seconds, extending their lead to 15-6. A subsequent 20-5 surge over 6 minutes and 52 seconds pushed Arizona to a 47-23 advantage. In the second half, Arizona maintained control with a 12-4 run early in the second period, widening the gap to 61-32. Despite a brief 12-4 run by LIU later in the game, Arizona’s final 10-0 stretch over 3 minutes and 33 seconds sealed their fate, leaving the Sharks trailing 78-47 at that point.#arizona #liu #brayden_burries #ivan_kharchenkov #jamal_fuller
Arizona Topples LIU in Opening Round of NCAA Tournament SAN DIEGO — The top-seeded Arizona Wildcats secured a dominant victory in their NCAA Tournament opener, defeating No. 16 seed LIU 92–58 on Friday at Viejas Arena. The Wildcats controlled the game from start to finish, using their depth and offensive efficiency to advance to the second round, where they will face No. 9 seed Utah State. Arizona’s performance was marked by a strong first half, during which they shot 57.6% from the field and hit 6 of 10 three-pointers to build a 53–29 lead at halftime. Freshman guard Brayden Burries was a key contributor, scoring 18 points on 4-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc. His early scoring helped Arizona establish a comfortable lead. Ivan Kharchenkov added 14 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double, while Koa Peat chipped in 15 points and seven rebounds. Kharchenkov’s double-double marked his second such performance of the season, with the other coming in a regular-season game against Florida on November 3, 2025. Arizona’s interior dominance was also evident, as center Motiejus Krivas recorded nine points, seven rebounds, and four blocks. The Wildcats’ depth proved critical, as 10 players scored and the bench contributed 29 points. Arizona outrebounded LIU 52–31 and scored 22 second-chance points, while holding the Sharks to just 32.4% shooting overall. Jaden Bradley, who finished with seven points, five rebounds, and four steals, played a pivotal role in directing the offense and applying defensive pressure. His efforts forced LIU into 15 turnovers, further disrupting the Sharks’ rhythm. Arizona’s largest lead reached 38 points in the second half before head coach Tommy Lloyd substituted heavily.#arizona_wildcats #liu #viejas_arena #brayden_burries #ivan_kharchenkov
Arizona dominates LIU in March Madness opener to end best season in 14 years The LIU Sharks’ historic season came to an end in a lopsided NCAA Tournament loss to No. 1 seed Arizona, marking the conclusion of their best campaign in 14 years. The 16th-seeded Sharks fell to the Big 12 champions 92-58 at Viejas Arena, ending a run that included NEC regular-season and postseason titles. Despite the defeat, the team’s journey to the tournament represented a significant turnaround under coach Rod Strickland, who emphasized pride in his players’ effort and resilience. Strickland, a former Knicks point guard, acknowledged the challenge of facing a top-tier program like Arizona. “We played in the NEC, and we played a style. And we came in here and we tried to play that style, but we were playing against the top team in the country in length,” he said. The Sharks struggled from the outset, trailing 12-2 just 3:01 into the game. Arizona’s dominance was evident early, with the Wildcats leading by 24 points at halftime. The team’s physicality and shooting accuracy proved too much for LIU, as Arizona outrebounded them 52-31 and controlled the paint with ease. Arizona’s two projected NBA draft picks, Koa Peat and Brayden Burries, combined for 33 points on 11-of-22 shooting, while 7-foot-2 center Motiejus Krivas dominated inside with nine points, seven rebounds, and four blocks. The Wildcats also shot 50% from beyond the arc, dispelling any doubts about their three-point shooting. LIU’s struggles were evident in their shooting efficiency, as key players like Malachi Davis and Jamal Fuller combined for just 5-of-21 field goal attempts. Despite the loss, the Sharks’ season was a testament to their growth. Mason Porter-Brown led the team with 15 points, while Greg Gordon added 12.#arizona #rod_strickland #brayden_burries #liu_sharks #kao_peat
Arizona Wildcats Dominate Long Island in NCAA Tournament Opener The top-seeded Arizona Wildcats secured an emphatic 92-58 victory over the Long Island University Sharks in their NCAA Tournament opener, showcasing their dominance with a balanced attack and stifling defense. The game, played at Viejas Arena in San Diego, marked the start of Arizona’s quest for a national title, with the Wildcats quickly asserting their superiority over the underdog Sharks. Arizona’s offensive firepower was on full display as Brayden Burries poured in 18 points, hitting four 3-pointers, while Koa Peat added 15 to lead the charge. The Wildcats’ depth was evident, with six players scoring at least eight points, including Jaden Bradley, who, despite scoring just seven points, emphasized the team’s focus on execution. “Coach talked about punching them first, hitting them first,” Bradley said, reflecting the Wildcats’ aggressive approach. The team’s efficiency was staggering, shooting 57% from the field in the first half and maintaining that rhythm throughout the game. Defensively, Arizona’s pressure forced Long Island into turnovers and limited their scoring opportunities. The Wildcats led by 27 points at halftime and never looked back, with the Sharks struggling to keep up. Arizona’s ability to control the tempo was key, as the team committed only three fouls in the first half and held the Sharks to just one free throw until the second half. “We didn’t think of it as a mismatch,” Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd said. “I make sure our players respect our opponents, and that’s why we came out ready to win.” Long Island, led by Mason Porter-Brown’s 15 points and Greg Gordon’s 12, fought valiantly but couldn’t overcome the depth and talent of the Wildcats.#arizona_wildcats #long_island_university #brayden_burries #koas_peat #tommyle_lloyd
UCF's Bol has to be helped to locker room, Knights fall to Arizona at Big 12 Tournament UCF center John Bol collapsed to the floor clutching his chest in the second half and was assisted off the court, leading to a 81-59 loss to the Arizona Wildcats in the Big 12 Tournament quarterfinals on Thursday. The incident occurred after a collision with Arizona’s Tobe Awaka, prompting a foul call and a stoppage in play. Bol dropped to the floor in the corner of the court, and UCF staff members spent several minutes with him before helping him walk unsteadily to the locker room. He did not return to the game, and no further details about his condition were disclosed. UCF will await its NCAA Tournament fate until Sunday’s selection show, which begins at 6 p.m. The Knights, with five Quad 1 victories including wins over ranked Kansas, Texas Tech, and BYU during the regular season, are seeking their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2019. The team’s roster from that year included guard B.J. Taylor, center Tacko Fall, and forward Aubrey Dawkins. Arizona’s victory was highlighted by Brayden Burries’ 21 points, Awaka’s 12 points and 12 rebounds, and a dominant performance from the second-ranked Wildcats. Koa Peat added 12 points for the No. 1-seeded team, which will face No. 7 Iowa State in the conference championship game after a seven-game winning streak. Iowa State, which defeated No. 16 Texas Tech in the quarterfinals, will be the opponent. UCF’s efforts were led by guard Themus Fulks with 14 points and forward Jordan Burks with 10. Bol, who contributed 13 points and eight rebounds in an overtime win over Cincinnati in the second round, had five points and six rebounds in 17 minutes against Arizona before leaving the game with about 12 minutes remaining.#arizona_wildcats #tobe_awaka #ucf #john_bol #brayden_burries
