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
Highest-Paid Coach in College Basketball in 2026 The Kansas Jayhawks, entering the 2026 March Madness tournament, are led by head coach Bill Self, who is recognized as the highest-paid coach in NCAA Division I basketball. Self, now in his 22nd season with the program, has signed an amended lifetime contract that will pay him approximately $53 million over the next five years, through 2028. This figure, calculated by KUSports.com’s Henry Greenstein, includes performance-based bonuses tied to key milestones such as March Madness appearances. Self’s contract, publicly available online, outlines additional incentives for achieving specific results, including bonuses for reaching the Final Four or winning the national championship. The 63-year-old coach, who joined Kansas in April 2003, has guided the Jayhawks to two NCAA titles, in 2008 and 2022, and has also reached the championship game as a runner-up in 2012. With over 800 career wins, Self was initially awarded a lifetime contract in 2021, later revised in 2023. Kansas University’s director of athletics, Travis Goff, praised Self as “undoubtedly the most consistent coach in college basketball,” while Self himself reflected on his legacy with the phrase “There’s no place like Kansas,” a nod to the university’s iconic slogan. According to USA Today’s latest rankings, Self is followed by Arkansas’ John Calipari, earning $8 million annually, and UConn’s Dan Hurley, at $7.75 million. The Jayhawks’ 2026 March Madness campaign begins with a round-of-64 matchup against California Baptist University, a team making its NCAA tournament debut. Kansas, seeded No. 4 in the East region, faces the No. 13-seeded Lancers in a first-ever meeting.#kansas_jayhawks #bill_self #viejas_arena #travis_goff #cal_baptist_university
St. John's vs. Kansas Odds, Time, March Madness Predictions: 2026 NCAA Tournament Picks from Proven Model The fifth-seeded St. John's Red Storm will face the fourth-seeded Kansas Jayhawks in the second round of the NCAA Tournament East Region on Sunday. St. John's defeated Northern Iowa 79-53 in the first round, while Kansas outlasted California Baptist 68-60. The Red Storm, who won the Big East at 18-2 and earned the conference tournament title, have won seven games in a row. The Jayhawks, who tied for third in the Big 12 at 12-6, have won three of their last four games. The game will tip off from Viejas Arena in San Diego at 5:15 p.m. ET. Kansas holds the edge in the all-time series with a 9-5 record, including a 95-75 victory in 2021. St. John's is listed as a 3.5-point favorite in the latest odds, while the over/under for total points scored is set at 144.5. The Red Storm is at -175 on the money line, meaning a bettor would need to risk $175 to win $100, while Kansas is listed as the +145 underdogs, meaning a $100 bet would yield $145 in profit. Before making any picks, fans are encouraged to check the predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model. The model has simulated every college basketball game 10,000 times and has entered the 2026 NCAA Tournament on a strong 11-1 run on its top-rated over/under picks dating back to last season. It is also on a 28-22 run on top-rated CBB side picks. In its latest simulation of St. John's vs. Kansas, the model has revealed its college basketball picks and predictions. The model is going Under on the total points scored, with the Under hitting in nine of the last 10 games for St. John's and in seven of the last 10 for Kansas. St. John's is 7-3 against the spread in its last 10 games, while Kansas is 4-6 ATS in its last 10.#ncaa_tournament #sportsline #st_johns #kansas_jayhawks #viejas_arena
Go ahead, St. John’s: Dream the impossible March Madness dream SAN DIEGO — The St. John’s team erupted with laughter and excitement in the hallway before their March Madness practice, bouncing off walls as they prepared to take the Viejas Arena court. A red “SJ” logo dominated the overhead scoreboard, with a blue “March Madness” banner beneath it. The 27-member St. John’s band performed, followed by the six cheerleaders and six dance team members entering the space. Johnny, the team’s mascot, joined in with energetic dance moves. The team’s journey to the tournament had been a long and challenging path, marked by the “Survive and Advance” format that requires teams to win each round to keep their hopes alive. Rick Pitino, the head coach, had gathered the team for their first practice after the tournament began, igniting their spirits with a vision of the national championship. The coach’s words resonated deeply with the players, as he emphasized the importance of dreaming big despite the odds. Outside the locker room, before joining his team, Pitino was seen in a white sweatsuit. When asked why he mentioned the national championship to his players, the Hall of Fame coach shared his perspective. “I said, ‘I’m not gonna be coaching forever, so I’m gonna dream. If you want to join my dream, get after it,’” he told The Post. His message underscored the blend of ambition and determination that defines March Madness, where every game is a step closer to the ultimate goal. The team’s journey reflects the unpredictable and thrilling nature of the tournament, where underdog stories and unexpected victories often take center stage. For St. John’s, the path to the championship is fraught with challenges, but the coach’s vision has galvanized the players to push beyond their limits.#rick_pitino #st_john_s #march_madness #viejas_arena #northern_iowa
