Expert prediction
NCAA First Round: Long Island vs Arizona Preview, Odds, Predictions (March 20)
Pick rationale
Analysis & key factors
- The Sharks won the NEC Championship to qualify for March Madness.
- The Wildcats secured the Big 12 Championship to punch their ticket.
- This marks the second all-time meeting between the two programs.
The March 20 schedule is loaded with plenty of big tournament matchups as the Big 12’s Arizona Wildcats take on the NEC’s Long Island Sharks in the first round of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. The former shines as the dominant favorite, displaying the high quality one team has to get the job done.
How to Watch
- When: Saturday, March 14, 1:35 pm ET
- Where: Viejas Arena, San Diego, California
- How to Watch: TNT
NCAA Matchup Odds & Lines
| Team | Odds | Spread | Totals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long Island | -115 | +31 | O149.5 |
| Arizona | -105 | -31 | U149.5 |
Game Preview
The Sharks (24-10) won their seventh NEC Men’s Basketball Tournament championship in program history, defeating Mercyhurst University 79-70 in the final. The 24 wins they have are the most in the Sharks era of the program, and the first 20-plus win season since the 2016-17 campaign. The Sharks top the NEC with 74.1 ppg, as the scoring trio of Jamal Fuller (16.4 ppg, 4th), Malachi Davis (14.4, 8th), and Greg Gordon (14.1, 9th) all sit in the top 10 of the NEC in points per game. Gordon became the first LIU student-athlete to receive NEC Defensive Player of the Year honors. Gordon led LIU in both total rebounds (174) and steals per game (1.7) this winter, and finished 3rd on the team in blocks per game (.8).
The Wildcats (32-2) have a serious case to make as a national championship contender as the Big 12 Champions. Arizona took down the likes of UCF, Iowa State and Houston to easily punch their ticket to the Big Dance. Brayden Burries commands the attack with averages of 15.9 points and 4.7 rebounds per game this season. Koa Peat comes next with 13.6 points and 5.3 rebounds, while Jaden Bradley provides 13.3 points, 4.5 assists and 3.6 rebounds per contest.
Long Island vs Arizona Head-to-Head
The two programs have had one meeting in their history, and the result is 1-0 for the Wildcats. The last matchup was in January 1951 when Arizona secured a 62-61 win at home.
Long Island vs Arizona Predictions
The winner of this matchup will take on the victors between Villanova and Utah State. Long Island is playing with house money after winning the NEC Tournament, hoping to put up a solid fight against Arizona. The Wildcats will look to avoid a slow start like Duke had against Siena, something that could cause chaos for tournament brackets everywhere. Our betting pick here is for the Wildcats to defend a 31-point spread.
- Free NCAAB pick: Houston Cougars -31
NCAAB
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