PHOENIX – The Arizona Wildcats men’s basketball team is gearing up for its first matchup of the NCAA tournament, facing the Akron Zips on March 21, 2025, at 5:35 p.m. MST at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. This will mark the Wildcats’ 39th tournament appearance, where they have historically shown strong performances, including their last national championship win in 1997.
Despite recent challenges, the Wildcats earned the No. 4 seed after finishing their season with 22 wins and 12 losses, along with notable achievements within their inaugural Big 12 season. Their ranking had hovered as high as No. 19 but will enter the tournament ranked No. 21 according to the Associated Press, hoping to reclaim momentum after inconsistent game performances leading to the postseason.
“This year has been about establishing our place among the best, and now we’re prepared to show everyone we deserve to be at the top,” said head coach Tommy Lloyd, emphasizing the importance of the upcoming match against the Zips.
Arizona's season has featured standout performances, particularly from guard Caleb Love, who has averaged 16.6 points per game. His strong presence on the court, complemented by Jaden Bradley’s 11.8 points and impressive assist stats, marks the Wildcats as formidable contenders during this tournament. Their resilience was demonstrated during the Big 12 Championship, where they narrowly fell to Houston, 72-65, yet had previously enjoyed strong victories against tough opponents like Kansas and No. 9 Texas Tech.
On the other side of the court, Akron, coached by John Groce, enters the tournament with budding aspirations of securing its first NCAA tournament victory. With a current record of 28 wins and 6 losses and extraordinary success within the Mid-American Conference (MAC)—where they posted 17-1—Groce has carefully orchestrated his team's strategy around both skilled talent and teamwork.
“I know they’re good, obviously, and I know Tommy Lloyd does a great job of coaching them,” Groce said, acknowledging the threat posed by the Wildcats. “We’ve been prepared for this, and it’s about execution and avoiding mistakes.”
Groce’s focus on preparation is echoed throughout the Zips’ locker room. With four guards starting and the team averaging impressive scoring metrics—84 points per game—the Zips strive to leave their mark on the NCAA tournament. Their offensive stats position them as No. 10 nationally for scoring, with standout players averaging significant points and assisting their team well.
“The way you get consistency is first and foremost, you gotta have the right people on the bus or the right people in the locker room,” Groce added, reflecting on achieving this level of team cohesion, especially under tournament pressure.
But the stakes are higher for all teams involved. Just over the past few weeks, the NCAA tournament promises excitement and intensity, with broadcast schedules packed with games, officially kicking off the March Madness phenomenon. For the Wildcats, their first-round game against the Zips provides both opportunity and challenge.
The East Region is packed with talent, including top-seeded Duke and Alabama, but Lloyd has conveyed confidence. He stated their preparation is thorough, emphasizing how highly they regard the Akron team.
“We’re one hundred percent focused on Akron,” Lloyd asserted. The direction from both coaches reflects not just competitive energy but the anticipation of making deep runs at the competition.
The Arizona coaching staff is adamant about utilizing their experience from previous tournaments, aiming to guide their players through the highs and lows of intense matchups. While Arizona holds historic success, Akron lacks NCAA tournament victory, presenting narrative stakes for both teams.
Only time will tell how this opening game will play out, but excitement builds as each team steps onto the court. The outcome could be pivotal not just for advancing, but for legacy—for both the Wildcats and the Zips alike. This tournament plays out against the backdrop of fandom enthusiasm, igniting hopes and dreams for the multitude coached with ambition and resilience.
The Wildcats and Zips—two teams with significant goals—will clash as they aim to cement their narrative and claim success starting March 21, 2025.
