The Arizona Wildcats (25-8, 15-5) come into the tournament after a bad performance against Oregon in the final Pac-12 Tournament, but they might have the highest ceiling of any team in the entire tournament. Their matchup against Long Beach State Beach (21-14, 10-10) has one of the more unique stories in the tournament with head coach Dan Monson being let go before their conference tournament, but still winning the Big West, and making things awkward for the Long Beach State administration.
Can the Beach make things interesting or is this a walk in the park for the Wildcats?
Long Beach State Beach vs Arizona Wildcats Betting Odds
| Team | Spread | Total | MoneyLine |
| Long Beach State Beach | +20.5
-108 |
O 161.5
-110 |
+1600 |
| Arizona Wildcats | -20.5
-112 |
U 161.5
-110 |
-4000 |
| **Odds Courtesy of DraftKings** | |||
Long Beach State Beach vs Arizona Wildcats Game Details
-
- Fixture: Long Beach State Beach vs Arizona Wildcats
- Date and Time: March 21, 2024 @ 2:00 pm EST
- Location: Delta Center in Salt Lake City, UT
Apex Tale of the Tape
| Long Beach State Beach | Vs. | Arizona Wildcats |
| 21-14 | Record | 25-8 |
| 77.7 | Points Per Game | 87.9 |
| 44.7 | FG% | 48.9 |
| 30.8 | 3PT% | 37.1 |
| 38.5 | Rebounds Per Game | 42.6 |
| 75.7 | Points Allowed Per Game | 72.2 |
| 44.7 | Defensive FG% | 42.3 |
| 34.5 | Defensive 3PT% | 33.4 |
| 72.3 | Defensive FT% | 71.1 |
| 35.5 | Defensive Rebounds Against | 32.1 |
| 3-2 | Last 5 W-L | 3-2 |
| 71.2 | Team Pace | 71.8 |
Key Stats
Long Beach State Beach
Long Beach State is led by senior guard Marcus Tsohonis, who leads the way at 17.8 points per game and just scored 25 points in their most recent win over UC Davis to get to the tournament. The Beach also have a total of five different players that average over double digits. Tsohonis is the key for the Beach to stay in this game. They also average 77.7 points. It shoots 29% from the 3-point range as a team and 45% from the field.
Arizona Wildcats
The Wildcats are also offensively focused with Caleb Love leading the way at 18.1 points per game while shooting 42% from the field as the Pac-12 Player of the Year. Four different players for the Wildcats average over double digits. Kylan Boswell could also be an X-factor in the NCAA Tournament if he breaks out of a recent slump and inconsistent play because he starts at point guard for the Wildcats.
Injury Report
Long Beach State Beach
- None
Arizona Wildcats
- None
Game Prediction
These two teams play very similar styles with both wanting to get up and down on offense and move the ball. However, Arizona is the better team, so if Long Beach wants to play that style, then it plays into Arizona’s obvious strengths. Tommy Lloyd and Dan Monson know each other very well, going back to both coaches having experience at Gonzaga. Arizona is too talented and should win easily, but the spread is too big and with Long Beach’s offense they should be able to at least cover this big of a spread, even if it’s only barely.
Final Pick
Long Beach State Beach +20.5
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