Seattle, Washington — The University of Arizona men’s basketball team (23-12, 14-6 in Big 12) secured a 93-65 first-round victory in the NCAA Tournament against the University of Akron (28-7, 17-1 in Mid-American) on Friday, March 21 at 4:35 p.m. PST. With this victory, the Wildcats now advance to the second round. 

Five Wildcats finished the matchup in double-figures, led by Jaden Bradley who collected 19 points on 8-for-13 shooting from the field, including 3-for-5 from beyond the arc. Bradley also collected six rebounds and two steals for the Wildcats. Trey Townsend followed closely with 16 points, shooting 7-for-8 from the floor while collecting eight rebounds. Carter Bryant secured 12 points in addition to five boards and three blocks while Caleb Love and KJ Lewis scored 10 points apiece. 

The Wildcats kept control of the game as they held onto a double-digit lead most of the way, securing a 56.5 shooting percentage from the field. The Wildcats held Akron to shoot just 33.3% from the floor for the evening. Despite only shooting 3-for-10 from the free throw line compared to Akron’s 16-of-20 attempts, Arizona beat the Zips in the rebound game, going 53-22. Additionally, the Wildcats had 12 first-half turnovers, but only four in the second, making quick adjustments to play style. 

“We pride ourselves on taking care of the ball and I think in the second half we really locked in on the little mistakes that we were making in the first […]. We were being stronger with the ball when we were driving and not playing too loose with the ball […]. Just easy adjustments that you know, we have to go into the next game with,” Lewis said. 

“I’m really proud of the guys because ultimately you know, that’s what you want […]. You want your players to continue to get better and I’m the keeper of the gate but you know, they’re the stars and so, to see them go out and shine like that tonight was pretty special,” said head coach Tommy Lloyd.

First half 

In the beginning seconds after winning the tip-ball, Arizona opened the first quarter with 3 made three-pointers to gain a 9-0 lead less than two minutes into the game. Akron guard Tavari Johnson was able to respond to the Wildcats’ run outside of an early timeout, scoring back-to-back layups to cut the 9-4 advantage. The Zips found more opportunities to score as Nate Johnson made a jumper that made it a one-possession game. Arizona had four turnovers, including three travels at this point in the game. 

Approaching the halfway mark of the first quarter, Shammah Scott hit a jumper to continue to trim the now narrow 15-13 lead Arizona held. After trading shots on each end, Townsend was called for a foul but missed the two free throws that followed. Moments later, Tobe Awaka found the rebound and layed-in the ball to gain the 2-points and extend the Wildcats’ 23-16. 

Arizona held the Zips scoreless for more than three minutes until Johnson scored a driving layup that was answered on the other end by Anthony Dell’Orso hitting a 3-pointer to create a 9-point lead. On the next Arizona possession, Bryant hit his shot from beyond the arc, holding onto the 31-21 Wildcat advantage.

Akron fought to keep the gap from growing but was unsuccessful as Townsend scored a turnaround jumper to push the lead to 37-27. After an attempted jumper that hit the backboard, Arizona recorded yet another turnover after being hit with a shot clock violation. The Wildcats turned over the ball 12 times in the first half. Despite the missed shot and errors, Bradley found a layup off the fast break, keeping the Wildcats’ 12-point lead afloat. 

The Wildcats went into halftime leading the Zips 41-31. Arizona was led in the first half by Townsend as he collected 11 points, shooting 5-for-6 from the field alongside five rebounds. Bradley followed with 9 points himself as he shot 4-for-5 from the floor. Tobe Awaka and Bryant each put up two blocks to help on the defensive end. 

Second half 

Opening the second half, Dell’Orso scored on a jumper that led to a 3-point play after being called for the foul. Townsend scored on a dunk that put Arizona in the position of a 14-point lead with 18:18 left in regulation. 

Approaching the 15-minute mark in the second half, Love scored just his third field goal of the night that extended the 17-point Wildcat lead. Veesaar grabbed an offensive rebound that resulted in Lewis hitting a shot from beyond the arc. However, Akron quickly diminished the first 20-point lead of the night as Bowen Hardman made a 3-pointer of his own. 

Bryant rejected another shot attempt from Akron, his third of the game, and soon followed it with a completed alley-oop dunk passed by Veesaar. With Arizona’s offense continuing to strike, Bryant drained a 3-pointer that put the Wildcats ahead by 21 points with just under 10 minutes remaining in the game. Seth Wilson made a shot from beyond the arc, attempting to shorten the lead but Awaka scored a jumper in the paint that put Arizona back up by 22 points. 

Arizona went on an 8-0 scoring run that was capped off by Love scoring a 3-pointer on the assist from Lewis. Townsend cleaned up a missed shot from Bryant as he scored on a dunk that put the Wildcats ahead 86-57. Soon after, Bradley scored a driving layup that allowed Arizona to lead by over 30 points for the first time in the game. Emmanuel Stephen entered the game for his first minutes, scoring a turnaround jumper, and adding to Arizona’s lead. 

As Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd cleared out its starters, Grant Weitman came off the bench, scoring on a 3-pointer to secure the largest lead of the night at 34 points. Ultimately, Akron was never able to supply a comeback, resulting in a dominating first-round 28-point victory for Arizona. 

Looking ahead

Arizona remains in Seattle, Wash., as the Wildcats move to the second round of the NCAA Tournament heading into a matchup against the University of Oregon on Sunday, March 23 at 6:40 PST in Climate Pledge Arena. 

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