2024 NCAA Tournament: Predictions, picks odds for Arizona vs. Long Beach State game
The Arizona Wildcats' road to the Final Four in their namesake state starts in Salt Lake City with a date against Long Beach State in the opening round of the NCAA men's basketball tournament.
The Wildcats have had time to lick their wounds after falling in the semi-finals of the last Pac-12 tournament at the hands of eventual champions Oregon 69-57. Arizona has not lost two consecutive games this season.
The Beach — or the Dirtbags for the locals — took home the Big West's automatic bid, prevailing over the UC Davis Aggies in the conference championship game 74-70.
Arizona's stumble was not enough to knock them out of the No. 2 slot in the West but the Wildcats were a No. 2 seed in 2023 but were upset by No. 15 Princeton.
Long Beach State know that the tournament will be the last dance with head coach Dan Morrison as the school announced that his tenure would end when the team's season did.
Here's everything you need to know about Arizona and Long Beach State, including predictions, odds and how to watch.
IT'S BRACKET MADNESS: Enter USA TODAY's NCAA tournament bracket contest for a chance at $1 million prize.
Arizona vs. Long Beach State predictions
USA TODAY Sportsbookwire: Arizona 89-67 Long Beach State
"The Wildcats record 12.2 more points per game (87.9) than the Beach give up (75.7)."
The Arizona Republic Tyler Palmateer: Arizona 95-70 Long Beach State
"Lloyd has yet to lose two games in a row in three seasons as Arizona's coach, and that trend continues. Arizona defeats Long Beach State, 95-70, behind a big game from Love and a dominant performance inside from Oumar Ball (13.1 ppg 10.1 rpg)."
FOX Sports: Arizona 89-67 Long Beach State
Fox Sports' model, which is based off of betting statistics, implies that the Wildcats will beat the Beach by double digits.
ESPN: Arizona
The Worldwide Leader's Matchup Predictor gives the Wildcats an 97.7% chance of winning.
Arizona vs. Long Beach State: Odds, spread and lines for March Madness
Arizona is the favorite to defeat Long Beach State in Thursday's March Madness matchup according to the BetMGM college basketball odds.
Spread: Arizona (-20.5)
Moneyline: Arizona (-3,000); Long Beach State (+1,300)
Over/under: 162.5
Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering sports betting promos in 2024
How to watch Arizona vs. Long Beach State: TV, streaming and schedule
When: Thursday, March 21 at 2:00 p.m. ET
Where: Delta Center in Salt Lake City, Utah
TV: TBS
Streaming: Watch March Madness on any device
How to watch: Catch March Madness with a Fubo subscription
How to watch NCAA Men's Basketball March Madness 2024
All games will be broadcast across CBS, TBS, TNT and TruTV. Here are additional streaming options to watch all the action on your devices.
Stream through Paramount+
Stream through HULU with Live TV
Stream through DirecTV Stream
Printable March Madness bracket
You can find a printable bracket for the men's tournament here.
A women's tournament printable bracket is available here.
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Arizona vs. Long Beach State: Predictions and odds for March Madness game
