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
Black Coaches to Watch in the 2026 NCAA Men’s Tournament Rod Strickland, a former NBA player and New York City basketball icon, is leading Long Island University to its first NCAA tournament appearance since 2012. Strickland, who took over as head coach in 2022, emphasized his goal of elevating the program’s culture and competitiveness. “Raise the bar, change the environment and help the culture develop and grow,” he said. “I’m not in a rush. Our time is coming. This is just the beginning.” His efforts have paid off, as the LIU Sharks secured a 24-10 record, finishing first in the Northeast Conference (NEC) regular season. Strickland’s journey to coaching included roles as a director of basketball operations at Memphis and Kentucky, and an assistant at South Florida. Despite early struggles, he has now led LIU to back-to-back winning seasons and earned NEC Coach of the Year honors. Speedy Claxton, another former NBA player and Hofstra alum, is guiding his alma mater to its first NCAA tournament in 23 years. Claxton, who played for Hofstra in the 2000 NCAA tournament, took over as head coach in 2021 and has led the program to four seasons with at least 20 wins. “I know the incredible history of Hofstra’s men’s basketball program,” he said. “I have lived it. I have experienced it. I am ready to lead it.” Hofstra’s 24-10 record and third-place finish in the Colonial Athletic Conference (CAA) have secured an automatic bid to the tournament. Claxton’s coaching career includes stints as an assistant at Hofstra and a championship run with the San Antonio Spurs as a player. Kenny Blakeney, the head coach at Howard University, is making his third NCAA tournament appearance with the school.#howard_university #hofstra #long_island_university #rod_strickland #kenny_blakeney
Why No. 1 Seed Arizona Built With Freshmen, Not 'Overpriced' Transfers SAN DIEGO – The Arizona men’s basketball team has dominated this season with its freshman class, scoring more points than any other freshman group in the nation. The five active freshmen on the roster have combined for 1,461 points, leading the country as the team heads into the NCAA Tournament. This achievement is notable for two reasons: the team’s recent success and the unconventional approach to roster building in an era dominated by transfer portal activity. Arizona’s freshmen have been instrumental in the team’s 32-2 record, with the Wildcats securing nine consecutive wins. As a No. 1 seed, they will face Long Island University in the tournament opener on March 20. Coach Tommy Lloyd’s strategy of prioritizing freshmen over experienced transfers has defied current trends, where older players often seek higher compensation through name, image, and likeness deals. Lloyd explained that the team’s focus on freshmen was based on limited availability of high-quality transfers and concerns about inflated NIL deals. He also cited Duke’s success with young players as a factor, noting how the Blue Devils’ freshman-heavy roster in 2024, including future NBA draft pick Cooper Flagg, performed exceptionally well. Despite initial skepticism about the effectiveness of a young roster, Lloyd believed the talent would justify the risk. Arizona’s roster includes seven freshmen, including Bryce James, the son of LeBron James, who is redshirting this season but remains a focal point due to his massive social media following. This approach mirrors older recruiting strategies, where teams invested heavily in developing freshman talent.#tommy_lloyd #arizona_men_s_basketball #long_island_university #bryce_james #duke_men_s_basketball
