Moving On: Arizona Topples LIU in Opening Round of NCAA Tournament

SAN DIEGO — The top-seed Arizona Wildcats opened their NCAA Tournament run with a commanding, wire-to-wire 92–58 win over No. 16 seed LIU on Friday morning at Viejas Arena, utilizing a dominant first half and overwhelming depth to maneuver into Sunday’s second spherical, the place the Wildcats will face No. 9 seed Utah State.

Arizona (33–2) set the tone instantly, racing out to a 12–2 begin behind the trio of Koa Peat, Ivan Kharchenkov and Jaden Bradleyand by no means appeared again. The Wildcats shot 57.6% in the opening half, hit 6 of 10 from three and constructed a 53–29 lead on the break.

Freshman guard Brayden Burries powered Arizona’s early surge with 18 factors, together with a scorching 4-for-5 from past the arc, repeatedly punishing LIU’s defensive rotations. Kharchenkov was equally impactful, ending with a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double, whereas Peat added 15 factors and 7 rebounds, asserting management in the paint.

For Kharchenkov, it’s simply his second double-double season with the opposite coming in the common season opener in opposition to Florida on Nov. 3, 2025.

Center Motiejus Krivas anchored the inside with 9 factors, seven boards and 4 blocks, and Arizona’s depth overwhelmed the Sharks—10 Wildcats scored, and the bench contributed 29 factors.

Arizona dominated inside with 50 factors in the paint and held LIU to simply 32.4% general capturing. The Wildcats additionally managed the glass (52–31) and scored 22 second-chance factors.

Bradley added seven factors, 5 rebounds and 4 steals, expertly steering the offense whereas making use of defensive stress that pressured LIU into 15 turnovers.

Arizona’s largest lead reached 38 factors late in the second half earlier than Tommy Lloyd emptied the bench.

With the convincing opening-round win, the Wildcats transfer on to face No. 9 seed Utah State on Sunday for a spot in the Sweet 16. The Aggies superior with their very own first-round victory over Villanova.