SAN DIEGO (Interstat) — The top-seeded and No. 1-ranked Arizona Wildcats, one of the nation’s most dominant teams all season, begin their national title pursuit Friday against a Cinderella story in the Long Island Sharks.

The first-round NCAA Tournament men’s basketball game at Frontwave Arena pits a powerhouse against a plucky underdog. Arizona (32-2) enters the postseason riding a nine-game winning streak, including victories over then-Houston and then-Baylor. The Wildcats’ only losses this season came in overtime to Texas Tech and on the road at Kansas.

Long Island (24-10), champions of the Northeast Conference, has won seven of its last eight games but faces a monumental challenge. The Wildcats are installed as a 30-point pregame favorite, with an over/under of 152 points.

Arizona’s attack is fueled by star guard Brayden Burries, who averaged 21.3 points over his last three games, including a 31-point, 7-rebound performance at Colorado on March 7. He is supported by a deep roster featuring Koa Peat and Ivan Kharchenkov.

The Sharks will rely on the hot hand of guard Malachi Davis, who scored 24 points in their NEC championship win over Mercyhurst on March 10. Davis has logged heavy minutes down the stretch, playing 38 or more in four of the last six games.

For Long Island, containing Arizona’s high-powered offense, which has topped 80 points 20 times this season, is the primary task. The Sharks’ hope is to control tempo and get a heroic performance from Davis and fellow scorer Greg Gordon, who also had 24 points in the conference final.

Arizona, which last won a national championship in 1997, is focused on avoiding the tournament’s signature early upset. The Wildcats’ blend of elite talent and experience makes them a heavy favorite to advance, while Long Island aims to shock the college basketball world.

Tip-off is scheduled for Friday, March 20, 2026.