The Utah State Aggies will play against the Arizona Wildcats in the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament. This second-round game in the West Region will take place at the McKale Center in Tucson, AZ. The game is scheduled for Sunday, March 22, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET.
Utah State comes into this game with a regular season record of 28-6. They had a strong conference showing with an 18-5 record in the Mountain West. Last year, they lost in the first round to UCLA with a score of 72-47.
Arizona Wildcats have an impressive record of 32-2 this season. They finished with a 19-2 record in the Big 12 Conference. In the 2025 postseason, they reached the Sweet 16 before losing to Duke, 100-93.
Arizona Preview
The Arizona Wildcats hold the #2 spot in the AP rankings. They compete in the Big 12 Conference. In the 2026 regular season, they achieved an impressive overall record of 32-2 and a conference record of 19-2.
During the 2025 postseason, Arizona had a strong start. They won against Akron with a score of 93-65 in the first round. They then secured a close win over Oregon, 87-83, in the second round. However, their journey ended in the Sweet 16, where they lost to Duke, 100-93.
Offensively, the Wildcats averaged 86.1 points per game in the 2026 regular season. They had a field goal percentage of 50.2, ranking 11th. Their free throw percentage was 73.4, placing them 201st. On defense, they recorded 7.8 steals per game and 4.2 blocks per game.
Key players for the Wildcats include Brayden Burries, who averaged 15.9 points per game. Jaden Bradley contributed with 13.3 points and 3.6 rebounds per game. Tobe Awaka was notable for his rebounding, with an average of 9.5 per game. These players played a significant role in Arizona’s successful season.
Utah State Preview
The Utah State Aggies play in the Mountain West Conference. In the 2025 postseason, they reached the Midwest Region’s first round. They lost to UCLA with a score of 72-47. This shows they made it to the tournament but faced a tough opponent early on.
In the 2026 regular season, the Aggies had a strong record. They won 28 games and lost 6. In conference play, they had 18 wins and 5 losses. This performance indicates a successful season overall.
The team scored an average of 82.5 points per game. They had a field goal percentage of 49.8, which ranked them 16th. Their effective field goal percentage was 57.2, placing them 14th. These stats highlight their offensive efficiency.
On defense, the Aggies averaged 8.8 steals per game. They also had 2.9 blocks per game. However, they committed 18.9 fouls per game. This suggests they were active defensively but need to manage fouls better.
Statistical Breakdown for Arizona vs Utah State
The game between Arizona Wildcats and Utah State Aggies will be influenced by several key stats. Arizona’s strong offense, with 86.1 points per game, ranks them 17th, while Utah State scores 82.5 points per game, ranking 55th. Arizona’s field goal percentage is slightly higher at 50.2 compared to Utah State’s 49.8. Defensively, Utah State averages more steals per game at 8.8, compared to Arizona’s 7.8. However, Utah State commits more fouls, which could be a factor in the game.
- Arizona Points Per Game: 86.1 (17th)
- Utah State Points Per Game: 82.5 (55th)
- Arizona Field Goal Percentage: 50.2 (11th)
- Utah State Field Goal Percentage: 49.8 (16th)
- Arizona Steals Per Game: 7.8
- Utah State Steals Per Game: 8.8
- Arizona Fouls Per Game: 16.0
- Utah State Fouls Per Game: 18.9
Betting Insights
The Utah State Aggies and Arizona Wildcats bring interesting betting trends into their upcoming game. Utah State has shown strength straight up, especially as favorites, but their ATS performance is less consistent. Arizona has a balanced record both straight up and ATS, with a slight edge in games as favorites. The over/under trends for both teams also provide key insights. Here are the top five betting trends to consider:
- Utah State is 87.5% SU as favorites.
- Arizona is 72.0% SU as favorites.
- Utah State is 62.5% ATS as underdogs.
- Arizona is 56.0% ATS as favorites.
- Arizona’s O/U record is 80.0% in their last 5 games.
Free Betting Prediction for Arizona vs Utah State
Arizona Wildcats have a strong offense, averaging 86.1 points per game. They also have a solid defense with 7.8 steals per game. Key players like Brayden Burries and Jaden Bradley contribute significantly. Their high field goal percentage and ability to score make them a tough team to beat.
Utah State Aggies also have a good offense, scoring 82.5 points per game. They excel in steals, averaging 8.8 per game. However, their high number of fouls could be a problem against Arizona. The Aggies need to manage fouls to stay competitive.
Considering both teams’ strengths, Arizona seems likely to win. Their offensive power and balanced play give them an edge. Utah State will need to control fouls and play strong defense to keep the game close.
- Our Free Prediction: Arizona -12.5
