Seed Utah State Faces Top-Seeded Arizona in NCAA Tournament Showdown

SAN DIEGO (Interstat) — A powerhouse Arizona squad riding a 14-game winning streak meets a surging Utah State team in a men’s NCAA Division I basketball playoff game Sunday at Frontwave Arena.

The top-seeded Wildcats (33-2), installed as 11.5-point favorites, bring a dominant resume into the matchup. Their only losses this season came in overtime against Texas Tech on Feb. 14 and at Houston on Jan. 28. They are averaging 84.2 points per game during their current streak, which includes wins over ranked opponents Kansas, Baylor and Houston.

Arizona is led by guard Brayden Burries, who scored 31 points in a win at Colorado on March 7 and has topped 20 points in four of his last eight games. He averages 18.4 points per contest.

The sixth-seeded Aggies (29-6) have won seven of their last eight, including an 86-76 victory at Villanova on Friday in the first round. Guard Mason Falslev scored 22 points in that win and has been a consistent force, averaging 17.1 points over his last eight games.

Utah State’s offense, which averages 79.8 points, will test an Arizona defense allowing just 66.2 points per game. The Aggies’ six losses have all come by double digits, including a 92-65 defeat at UNLV on March 3.

The teams have not met since 2010. The over/under is set at 157 points.

Sunday’s winner advances to the Sweet 16.