LIU (16) vs. Arizona (1) NCAA Bracket Prediction: March Madness Odds
This game will take place at 1:35 PM ET on TNT from Viejas Arena in San Diego, California.
LIU enters the tournament as one of the best underdog stories in the field, riding momentum from an NEC title and a passionate “Fins Up” fan movement. Meanwhile, Arizona arrives as one of the most dominant and consistent teams in college basketball, combining elite efficiency on both ends with a deep, physical roster. The contrast in pedigree and talent is stark, but LIU’s chaotic style could make things interesting early.
LIU Sharks vs. Arizona Wildcats NCAA Tournament Point Spread and Betting
According to Bart Torvik, LIU ranks outside the top 250 offensively, while Arizona boasts a top-three defence nationally.
Arizona also holds a huge edge on the glass, ranking in the top 10 in offensive rebounding, while LIU ranks 287th in defensive rebounding. Tombe Awaka is the best offensive rebounder in the country, so it could be second-chance points aplenty for the Wildcats.
LIU Sharks (16)
The Sharks had already secured the NEC’s automatic bid due to Mercyhurst’s ineligibility, but still went out and won the conference tournament to validate their spot.
Head coach Rod Strickland has built a team around aggressive guard play and defensive pressure. LIU switches everything defensively, forces turnovers at a high rate and wants to play entirely in transition. Guards Malachi Davis and Greg Gordon lead the way, with Davis providing scoring at all three levels and Gordon anchoring the perimeter defence.
The Sharks’ ability to create chaos has allowed them to compete with higher-level teams, including strong early showings against Georgia and Mississippi State.
LIU struggles with turnovers offensively, ranks near the bottom nationally in bench depth, and is undersized across the frontcourt.
Against a team with size and discipline, LIU’s margin for error is extremely thin.
Arizona Wildcats (1)
The Wildcats opened the year 23-0, setting a program record, and finished the regular season with a 10-2 record against ranked opponents.
Big 12 Player of the Year and senior Jaden Bradley leads the backcourt with elite defence and steady playmaking, while freshmen Brayden Burries and Koa Peat provide star-level impact on both ends of the floor. Motiejus Krivas, a 7-foot-2 centre, anchors the paint defensively.
Arizona’s identity is built around interior dominance. The Wildcats generate the majority of their offence inside the arc, attack the glass relentlessly and get to the free-throw line at a high rate.
While they don’t rely on three-point shooting at all, their efficiency in the paint and ability to generate second-chance points make them incredibly difficult to defend.
March Madness Prediction: Who Will Win LIU vs. Arizona?
LIU’s defensive pressure and energy could create some early disruption, but sustaining that style against a team like Arizona is a different challenge entirely.
Arizona’s size and physicality should gradually wear down the Sharks. The Wildcats are well-equipped to handle pressure, and once they break it, they should generate high-percentage looks at the rim.
LIU’s inability to control the glass and limit turnovers will likely lead to multiple killshot scoring runs for Arizona, as the Wildcats pull away in the second half. I like Arizona to cover the spread and win this one somewhere in the region of 88-54.