Akron vs. Arizona March Madness Preview and Prediction
In the No. 13 vs. No. 4 matchup in the NCAA Tournament East Region, the Akron Zips face the Arizona Wildcats in first-round action.
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How to Watch Akron vs. Arizona
When: 7:35 p.m. ET on Friday, March 21st
Where: Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington
Watch: truTV
Odds for Akron vs. Arizona
(odds current at time of publish)
Spread: Arizona -13.5 (-110), Akron +13.5 (-110)
Total: Over 166.5 (-115), Under 166.5 (-105)
DraftKings Betting Splits | Live College Basketball Odds | Akron vs. Arizona Matchup Page
Akron vs. Arizona Preview & Prediction
The stage is set for an intriguing first-round matchup in the NCAA Tournament as the No. 4 seed Arizona Wildcats take on the No. 13 seed Akron Zips on Friday, March 21, at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. This contest pits a power conference team with high expectations against a mid-major looking to pull off a significant upset.
Arizona enters the tournament under the leadership of fourth-year head coach Tommy Lloyd, who has compiled an impressive 88-20 record during his tenure. Despite consistent regular-season success, Lloyd faces mounting pressure to deliver in March after early exits in previous years. The Wildcats boast a well-rounded team, ranking in the top 50 in both 2-point field goal percentage on offense and defense. They’re also a formidable presence on the offensive glass and protect the rim effectively with a top-50 block percentage.
However, Arizona’s achilles heel this season has been their 3-point shooting, ranking in the 270s nationally. This weakness could prove crucial against an Akron team that thrives from beyond the arc. The Wildcats’ tournament success may hinge on whether they can find their shooting touch from deep.
Akron, meanwhile, comes into the Big Dance riding high after a dramatic MAC Championship victory over Miami Ohio. Under the guidance of coach John Groce, the Zips have reached the NCAA Tournament for the third time in four years. Akron’s offense is their calling card, ranking in the top 50 in both 3-point and 2-point field goal percentage. They play at a fast tempo and aren’t afraid to let it fly from deep, with over 45% of their shot attempts coming from 3-point range.
The Zips’ lack of size could be a concern against Arizona’s frontcourt, as their tallest player stands at just 6-foot-8. This height disadvantage may explain their reliance on perimeter shooting and could be exploited by the Wildcats on the boards and in the paint.
While Arizona opened as a 14.5-point favorite, Akron’s 3-point prowess and Arizona’s recent struggles defending the arc make this matchup more intriguing than the spread suggests — which is why some early action has come in on the Zips. Tommy Lloyd’s past tournament disappointments and Arizona’s shooting woes could potentially open the door for an upset if Akron gets hot from deep. However, Arizona’s superior talent and physical advantages still make them the clear favorite to advance.
Estimated Score: Arizona 89.1, Akron 74.7
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