The path toward a national championship began smoothly for the second overall seed in the 2026 NCAA Tournament, as the Arizona Wildcats delivered a commanding 92–58 victory over the Long Island Sharks in the West Region first round Friday night at Viejas Arena.
While several No. 1 seeds endured tense openers in classic March Madness fashion earlier in the week—including Duke Blue Devils narrowly escaping Siena Saints and Michigan Wolverines being pushed into the second half by Howard Bison—Arizona wasted little time asserting its dominance.
The Wildcats (33–2), fresh off Big 12 regular-season and tournament titles, set the tone early and never let up.
Arizona’s balanced offense and suffocating defense quickly overwhelmed Long Island. Brayden Burries knocked down four 3-pointers and finished with 18 points, while Koa Peat added 15 points in an efficient performance. Ivan Kharchenkov posted a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds as the Wildcats showcased the depth that has made them one of the tournament favorites.
Arizona raced to a double-digit lead within minutes and stretched the advantage to 27 points before halftime, energizing a sea of Wildcats fans clad in red.
The early cushion allowed head coach Tommy Lloyd to manage minutes carefully—no player logged more than 28—an advantage that could pay dividends deeper into the tournament.
Arizona’s trademark offensive versatility was evident throughout the night. Six Wildcats scored at least eight points, and the team shot a blistering 57% from the field in the first half, maintaining that efficiency until late in the contest.
Even an uncharacteristic 11 missed free throws did little to slow Arizona’s rhythm. The Wildcats also committed just three fouls in the first half, preventing Long Island from attempting a single free throw before the break.
The disciplined performance reflected a team intent on treating every opponent seriously, regardless of seeding.
For Long Island (24–11), the loss marked the end of a breakthrough campaign under head coach Rod Strickland. The Sharks captured both the NEC regular-season and tournament titles, continuing a dramatic turnaround from a three-win season in Strickland’s first year at the helm.
Mason Porter-Brown led Long Island with 15 points, and Greg Gordon added 12, but the Sharks struggled to match Arizona’s pace and depth over 40 minutes.
Still, the night produced a memorable moment late in the game.
With 53 seconds remaining, walk-on guard Eddie Munyak banked in a 3-pointer—his first collegiate points—triggering an emotional celebration from teammates and fans alike. Playing in front of his parents, girlfriend, and AAU coach, the Long Island native became visibly emotional afterward, capping a personal journey that included a redshirt season and limited playing time this year.
Arizona now turns its attention to a second-round matchup Sunday against the Utah State Aggies, carrying momentum from a performance that highlighted both its depth and defensive discipline.
With their efficient offense humming and minutes evenly distributed across the roster, the Wildcats strengthened their case as a serious contender to capture their first national title since 1997—the last won by a team from the western United States.
If Friday night was any indication, Arizona’s title quest is off to exactly the kind of start championship teams hope for.
