The Arizona Wildcats (22-12) are set to take on the Akron Zips (24-9) in a first-round NCAA Tournament matchup on Friday at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Washington. Arizona, entering the tournament as a No. 4 seed in the East Region, comes off a runner-up finish in the Big 12 Tournament, falling to Houston in the championship game.
They face Akron, the No. 13 seed, who clinched the MAC title with a championship win over Miami (OH). The Wildcats are favored to win, but Akron’s high-powered offense could pose a unique challenge for Tommy Lloyd’s squad.
Arizona vs. Akron Betting Preview
All Arizona vs. Akron odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are correct as of Friday, March 21, 2025.
- Spread: Arizona -14.5
- Moneyline: Arizona -800, Akron +550
- Over/Under: 166.5 points
- Game Time: Friday, March 21, 2025, 7:35 PM ET
- Location: Climate Pledge Arena | Seattle, WA
- How To Watch: truTV
Arizona enters this game as a heavy favorite, with a 14.5-point spread. The Wildcats have been strong on the moneyline, winning 70.8% of their games when favored this season (17-7). Akron, meanwhile, has a 17-15 record against the spread and has struggled when playing as the underdog, winning just one of six games in that role.
Arizona’s potent offense, averaging 81.7 points per game, will be key in this matchup, especially considering Akron’s explosive scoring capabilities, ranking No. 8 nationally with an average of 84.6 points per game.
With an over/under of 166.5 points, this game is expected to be a high-scoring affair. Both teams have scored 90 or more points multiple times this season, and it’s likely that we will see another shootout here, though Arizona’s defense and efficient offense should be the difference-maker.
Arizona vs. Akron CSN Winning Probability
Arizona holds a significant edge in the CSN winning probability, which aligns with Vegas’ odds. The Wildcats have been excellent in their last several tournament appearances and are well-positioned to advance.
Akron’s scoring ability can’t be overlooked, but their defense may struggle to keep up with Arizona’s fast-paced attack. The winner of this game will earn a matchup against the winner of Liberty vs. Oregon in the second round.
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Prediction for Arizona vs. Akron
Arizona is the clear favorite in this matchup, but Akron’s offense will make this game interesting for a while. Akron has a high-scoring attack, but Arizona’s offensive depth and strong defense should eventually overwhelm the Zips. Arizona’s ability to score quickly, combined with their experience in the tournament, makes them the stronger team.
Tommy Lloyd’s Wildcats will pull away late, securing a comfortable victory and advancing to the next round.
Prediction: Arizona 86, Akron 75
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