Utah State (9) vs. Arizona (1) Bracket Prediction: March Madness Odds
The ninth-seeded Utah State Aggies, Mountain West champs and comeback victors over No. 8 seed Villanova on Friday, face top-seed and Big 12 champions Arizona in a West Region second-round matchup on Sunday in San Diego at 7:50 p.m.
The Aggies outscored the Wildcats, 15-3, to close Friday’s opener and win, 86-76. Mason Falslev had 22 points and seven rebounds, and MJ Collins scored 16 of his 20 points in the second half. Now comes a considerably larger task. Arizona, which has won 10 straight and is 33-2 on the season, dismantled 16th-seeded Long Island on Friday, 92-58.
Freshmen stars Brayden Burries (18 points) and Koa Peat (15 points, seven rebounds) led the Wildcats, while Ivan Kharcenkov contributed 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Utah State Aggies vs. Arizona Wildcats NCAA Tournament Point Spread and Betting
Arizona, which lost two games by a combined seven points, is rightfully listed as 11.5-favourites on the March Madness odds for this second-round matchup. The Wildcats have -750 moneyline odds, while Utah State is listed at +525. The Over/Under is currently listed at 156 points.
The Aggies are 5-0 straight up and 4-1 against the spread in their last five games, and they have played to the Over in nine of 13. Arizona is 5-2 against the spread in its last seven games, and has played to the Over in four of five.
Utah St. Aggies (9)
The Aggies come into Sunday with momentum following their strong close, including 49 points in the second half, in their comeback win over Villanova. Adlan Elamin also had 13 points and seven rebounds as Utah State shot 54.9 per cent (28-for-51) from the field, and out-rebounded the Wildcats, 37-27.
This is the seventh tournament appearance for the Aggies since 2019, and just the second time they have advanced to the second round. They have never made it to the second weekend since the current tournament format expanded over 40 years ago.
Arizona Wildcats (1)
Arizona has reached the tournament in all five seasons under coach Tommy Lloyd. They have reached the Sweet 16 in two straight and three of their previous four years, and look well-positioned to do so again this weekend. The team shot 46 per cent (6-13) from three-point range and overcame a weak (22-for-33) free-throw shooting performance at the foul line.
Burries and Peat get a lot of the press, but the Big 12 Player of the Year was actually senior Jade Bradley. He averaged just 13.3 points, as his overall game is what justified the award. Tobe Awaka (9.5 PPG, 9.5 REB.) had 11 points and eight rebounds against the Sharks and will be a problem for the Aggies. The Wildcats led wire-to-wire against Long Island, and could do the same on Sunday.
March Madness Prediction: Who Will Win Utah State vs. Arizona?
The Wildcats Utah State faced in the first round wilted late. The ones they face in the second round won’t. Arizona is most deserving of its No. 1 seed, and they will prove again why against the Aggies, a very good Mountain West team with tournament experience.
Lloyd’s bunch has talent, depth, and, with an offence that ranks 13th in the country in points per game (86.1), a full arsenal of firepower. They will win on Sunday, 88-74.