Arizona Men's Basketball Earns 1-Seed in 2026 NCAA Tournament The 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship bracket was officially released on Sunday, and the University of Arizona Wildcats secured a 1-seed in the West Region. This marks the eighth time in program history that Arizona has been selected as a top seed, adding to their 40th overall appearance in the NCAA Tournament—a total that ranks seventh in NCAA history. The Wildcats will open their tournament run on March 20 at 10:35 a.m. MST on TNT, facing No. 16 seed LIU at Viejas Arena in San Diego, Calif. The broadcast will feature analysts Kevin Harlan, Robbie Hummel, Stan VanGundy, and Lauren Shehadi. Arizona’s selection as a 1-seed comes during the fifth season under head coach Tommy Lloyd, continuing a streak of NCAA Tournament appearances for the program. This is the second time Lloyd has guided the Wildcats to a 1-seed, following their 2022 tournament run. The team’s first-round matchup in San Diego is significant, as Arizona has previously advanced in the tournament from the venue twice. In 2022, the top-seeded Wildcats defeated Wright State before overcoming 9-seed TCU in an overtime victory. The 2013-14 team also made an impression in San Diego, sweeping Weber State and Gonzaga in the first two rounds. The selection highlights Arizona’s consistent performance in the NCAA Tournament, with the program now tied for seventh in all-time appearances. The 1-seed status underscores the team’s strength, as they will face a challenging 16th-seeded LIU squad. The game will be broadcast on TNT, providing national exposure for the Wildcats’ opening round contest. Tickets for the event are available through the provided link, allowing fans to support the team in San Diego.#tnt #tommy_lloyd #university_of_arizona_wildcats #viejasc_arena #liu
