Arizona dominates Akron in NCAA Tournament opener

In the United States, on March 21, 2025, the Arizona Wildcats easily overcame the Akron Zips, winning 93-65 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. Arizona, a fourth seed, showcased their dominance early in the game, with Jaden Bradley, Trey Townsend, and Caleb Love hitting three-pointers within the first two minutes. By halftime, they had established a 41-31 lead, and their performance in the second half further solidified their victory. With this win, Arizona reached the second round of March Madness for the third time in four seasons under head coach Tommy Lloyd. The Wildcats displayed exceptional shooting, finishing the game shooting 48% from the field, including a remarkable 12 of 25 from beyond the arc. Additionally, they had a significant advantage in rebounds, outclassing Akron 53-22. This height advantage was accentuated by seven-foot Henri Veesaar entering the game. Other key performances included Bradley with 19 points, Townsend contributing 16 points on 7-of-8 shooting, and Carter Bryant scoring 12, showing a well-rounded offensive performance throughout the game. While Akron managed to tie the game early with an 11-2 run in response to Arizona's initial burst, they never led in the contest. The Zips were overwhelmed by Arizona’s size and skill, which included a 48-20 outscoring in the paint and nine blocks. Akron head coach John Groce acknowledged their effort but emphasized the need to control their rebounding, admitting that they fell short in this critical aspect of the game. This matchup was emblematic of the overall trend in the NCAA tournament where higher-seeded teams prevailed with relative ease. With Arizona’s triumph, the focus shifts to their next game against either Oregon or Liberty, further heightening the anticipation surrounding their continued journey in the tournament. Coach Tommy Lloyd expressed satisfaction with his team's performance, indicating that when they make simple plays, they are a formidable opponent. The 2025 NCAA Tournament has, thus far, been dominated by top seeds, and Arizona's commanding victory adds to this narrative.