No. 1 Arizona and No. 9 Utah State to Face Off in NCAA Tournament Round of 32

High-scoring matchup features two teams averaging over 80 points per game

Mar. 21, 2026 at 7:55am

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The NCAA Tournament Round of 32 matchup between No. 1 Arizona and No. 9 Utah State is expected to be a high-scoring affair, as both teams average over 80 points per game and shoot close to 50% from the field. Arizona is coming off a dominant 92-58 win over Long Island in the first round, while Utah State upset No. 8 Villanova 86-76 to advance.

Why it matters

This game features two of the most exciting offenses in the NCAA Tournament, with both teams ranking near the top nationally in scoring and field goal percentage. The winner will advance to the Sweet 16, putting them one step closer to a potential Final Four appearance.

The details

Arizona (33-2) is led by a talented freshman class that combined for 47 points, 22 rebounds and 6 assists in the win over Long Island. Utah State (28-6) is paced by guards MJ Collins Jr. (17.6 ppg) and Mason Falslev (16.0 ppg, 67 steals). The Aggies will need to limit Arizona's second-chance points and stay under control to have a chance at the upset.

  • The second-round game between Arizona and Utah State has yet to be announced.
  • The teams have met four times previously, most recently in the first round of the 2005 NCAA Tournament when Arizona beat Utah State 66-53.

The players

Tommy Lloyd

The head coach of the Arizona Wildcats, who insists his team won't take any opponent lightly in the NCAA Tournament.

Jerrod Calhoun

The head coach of the Utah State Aggies, who won his first NCAA Tournament game as a head coach in the first round.

Brayden Burries

An Arizona freshman starter who scored 18 points in the win over Long Island.

MJ Collins Jr.

A Utah State guard who averages 17.6 points per game and will likely match up often with Arizona's Ivan Kharchenkov.

Mason Falslev

A Utah State guard who averages 16 points per game and leads the Aggies with 67 steals.

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What they’re saying

“Our guys in the last seven, eight minutes, I thought we really buckled down. Our execution offensively was tremendous — our screening, getting to the next action.”

— Jerrod Calhoun, Utah State Head Coach

“I don't think playing down to the competition is something that ever enters my mind. I mean, I have a lot of respect for our opponents, and I make sure our players do as well.”

— Tommy Lloyd, Arizona Head Coach

What’s next

The time for the second-round game between Arizona and Utah State has yet to be announced.

The takeaway

This matchup between the high-powered offenses of No. 1 Arizona and No. 9 Utah State promises to be an exciting and high-scoring affair in the NCAA Tournament Round of 32. While Arizona is the heavy favorite, Utah State has the talent and experience to potentially pull off the upset if they can limit the Wildcats' second-chance points and stay composed on offense.