Arizona Wildcats vs Akron Zips Picks and Predictions March 21st 2025

Trey Townsend, Arizona Keeping Guard Up vs. Akron

The Arizona Wildcats (22-12) are on high alert as they prepare to face the 13th-seeded Akron Zips (28-6) in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday in Seattle. Arizona, seeded fourth in the East Region, knows the dangers of underestimating lower-seeded teams, especially with transfer guard Trey Townsend on their roster.

Townsend, now in his fifth college basketball season, is no stranger to March Madness upsets. Last year, he was a pivotal player on the 14th-seeded Oakland squad that stunned No. 3 Kentucky in the first round. Townsend posted 17 points and 12 rebounds that day while teammate Jack Gohlke dropped 32 points with 10 three-pointers in the 80-76 shocker.

“One hundred percent,” Townsend said. “It is March and anything can happen, especially nowadays. Any team can beat anybody. You don’t want to overlook anyone. You face problems if you are overlooking anybody, thinking about what’s ahead.”

Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd echoed Townsend’s sentiment, emphasizing that once the tournament starts, seeds don’t matter.

“We’re excited, but now that the tournament’s set, you’ve got to throw the seeds out now and go play the games,” Lloyd said.

Arizona’s Season and Challenges

Arizona’s road to the tournament has been bumpy, as the Wildcats went 5-6 over the final five weeks of the season. The most recent setback came in the Big 12 tournament title game against No. 1 seed Houston, where Arizona fell 72-64.

Despite the struggles, Arizona boasts a balanced lineup, led by Caleb Love, who averages 16.6 points per game. However, Love’s shooting inconsistency is a concern as he has hit just 38.6 percent from the field and 32.3 percent from beyond the arc.

Coach Lloyd emphasized that regardless of seeding, the Wildcats must approach every opponent with respect and intensity.

“We’ve learned from our struggles at the beginning of the season to never underestimate any opponent, and just play like it is your last game,” Townsend said.

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Akron’s Path to the Tournament

The Akron Zips earned their spot in the tournament with a dramatic 76-74 victory over Miami (Ohio) in the Mid-American Conference championship. Down by 18 points, the Zips rallied to secure the win thanks to Nate Johnson’s game-winning layup with 2.3 seconds left.

“In that moment, I just told myself not to rush,” Johnson said. “If I’d have rushed, I probably would’ve air-balled it or something crazy.”

Johnson, Akron’s leading scorer at 14.0 points per game, was a clutch performer in the MAC tournament, averaging 26.5 points over the final two games. The Zips carry a seven-game winning streak into their matchup with Arizona.

Key Players to Watch

Arizona Wildcats:

• Caleb Love (16.6 PPG, inconsistent shooting)
• Trey Townsend (veteran leadership and rebounding presence)
• Liam McNeeley (14.5 PPG)

Akron Zips:

• Nate Johnson (14.0 PPG, clutch performer)
• Sammy Hunter (8.2 PPG)
• Tre Edwards (7.5 PPG)

Betting Insights and Predictions

College basketball championship odds favor Arizona, but Akron’s hot streak and recent clutch play make them a dangerous opponent.

• Expert betting guide recommends cautious optimism on Arizona’s side given their recent inconsistency.
• For the latest lines and detailed analysis, check our pick page and odds page.

Final Thoughts

Can the Wildcats avoid the dreaded 4-13 upset, or will the Zips carry their MAC momentum into a Cinderella story? Both teams have something to prove, and Townsend’s leadership could be crucial in keeping Arizona focused and disciplined.