Connect with us

Arizona

Arizona basketball March Madness prediction: How far will Wildcats go in NCAA Tournament?

Published

on

Arizona basketball March Madness prediction: How far will Wildcats go in NCAA Tournament?


play

The NCAA Tournament bracket is set. How hard is the Arizona Wildcats’ potential road to the Final Four?

Here’s a look at Arizona’s possible opponents in each round of March Madness and our prediction for how far Tommy Lloyd’s team will advance in the bracket.

Advertisement

Last season, Arizona advanced to the Sweet 16 as a No. 2 seed, beating No. 15 Long Beach State 85-65 in the first round and No. 7 seed Dayton 78-68 in the second round before falling to No. 6 seed Clemson, 77-72.

The Wildcats haven’t made the Elite Eight since 2015. They haven’t made the Final Four since they lost to Duke in the 2001 National Championship game.

Could they end those skids in the 2025 NCAA Tournament?

Advertisement

Watch Arizona vs Akron on Sling TV

Arizona’s first-round NCAA Tournament opponent

Tommy Lloyd’s team is the No. 4 seed in the East Region of March Madness and will face No. 13 seed Akron in the first round of the NCAA Tournament in Seattle, looking to begin a long NCAA Tournament run.

Arizona’s first-round March Madness opponent, Akron, advanced to the NCAA Tournament by winning the MAC Conference Tournament.

It went 28-6 overall in the regular this season and 17-1 in conference play.

Advertisement

Arizona’s potential second-round March Madness opponents

The winner of the Arizona vs Akron game will face the winner of the No. 5 Oregon vs No. 12 Liberty game in the second round on Sunday, with the winner of that game advancing to the Sweet 16.

Arizona’s potential Sweet 16 opponents

Arizona would likely face No. 1 seed Duke, No. 8 seed Mississippi State or No. 9 seed Baylor in the Sweet 16, if it were to win its first two games in March Madness.

Advertisement

Arizona’s potential Elite 8 opponents

If Arizona were to win its first three games, the Wildcats would face the winner of the other half of the NCAA bracket for the East Region in the regional semifinal, with No. 2 Alabama, No. 3 Wisconsin, No. 6 BYU and No. 7 St. Mary’s being the highest seeds on that side of the bracket.

Arizona’s potential Final Four opponents

The winner of the East Region faces the winner of the Midwest Region in the Final Four. If Arizona were to somehow make it that far, the highest seeds in the Midwest Region include No. 1 seed Houston, No. 2 seed Tennessee, No. 3 seed Kentucky and No. 4 seed Purdue.

Arizona’s potential National Championship game opponents

The winner of the Midwest Region vs East Region national semifinal would face the winner of the South Region vs West Region national semifinal in the NCAA title game. Arizona’s possible opponents in that game, should it somehow make a run in the tournament and advance that far?

Auburn is the top seed in the South, with Michigan State the No. 2 seed, Iowa State the third seed and Texas A&M the fourth seed. The West Region’s Top 4 seeds are No. 1 Florida, No. 2 St. Johns, No. 3 Texas Tech and No. 4 Maryland.

Advertisement

Arizona Wildcats NCAA Tournament March Madness prediction

We wrote about Arizona’s “potential” opponents in the March Madness bracket, but how far will the Wildcats actually advance in the NCAA Tournament?

We predicted an 85-78 win for Arizona over Akron in our first-round March Madness game prediction. As for the second round? We think the Wildcats can get past Oregon (or Liberty) to make their second straight Sweet 16 appearance under Tommy Lloyd.

But we don’t foresee Arizona getting to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2015 in this tournament. Duke will be too much for the Wildcats in that round, even if Cooper Flagg isn’t 100%.

Advertisement

Prediction: Arizona Wildcats lose in Sweet 16 of NCAA Tournament

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.

Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.

Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

Advertisement





Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Arizona

Arizona Lawmakers Approve Complementary Bitcoin, Crypto Bills – Decrypt

Published

on

Arizona Lawmakers Approve Complementary Bitcoin, Crypto Bills – Decrypt


Arizona lawmakers have passed two related bills that could make the state a leader in state-level government cryptocurrency investing, provided they are signed into law by Governor Katie Hobbs.

The Arizona House passed Senate Bill 1025 on its third reading. Formally known as the “Arizona Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Act,” the House approved it 31-25-4 on Monday.

S.B. 1373, a companion bill establishing a “Digital Assets Strategic Reserve Fund,” passed with a 37-19-4 vote in the House on the same day.

The Arizona Senate passed both bills earlier on February 27. After passing both chambers without amendments, the bills await formal transmittal to Governor Hobbs’ desk.

Advertisement

Both bills establish Arizona’s approaches to its proposed state crypto holdings. SB1025 focuses exclusively on Bitcoin as an investment asset, while SB1373 creates infrastructure for managing various digital assets.

A separate proposal to include Bitcoin ETFs in the state’s retirement plan portfolio for government workers was introduced in March. Arizona also advanced a bill earlier this month to protect Bitcoin miners and blockchain node operators.

SB1025: Arizona Strategic Bitcoin Reserve Act

SB1025 defines how the state manages its public monies, from sources such as the state treasury and pensions.

The bill also mandates that if the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury establishes a Strategic Bitcoin Reserve to store the government’s Bitcoin, the state of Arizona “may store” its public fund’s virtual currency holdings in a “secure, segregated account within the Strategic Bitcoin Reserve.”

Advertisement

SB1025 would amend Arizona law to let the state treasurer and retirement systems invest up to 10% of public funds in virtual currencies, specifically Bitcoin.

SB1373: Digital Assets Strategic Reserve Fund

SB1373, meanwhile, establishes a fund to hold “monies appropriated by the legislature and digital assets that are seized by this state,” including those obtained through criminal proceedings.

For SB 1373, funds allocated from a legislative appropriation do not automatically expire or “lapse” at the end of the fiscal year, as Arizona law typically requires.

The fund may hold digital assets, such as Bitcoin, stablecoins, and NFTs, which the State Treasurer would manage through approved custody solutions.

Funding priorities

If the two bills are approved, Arizona could be the first state to fully integrate crypto into its finances, following similar proposals from other states.

Advertisement

The bills still need the governor’s approval, which has been at risk because of previous budget negotiations and partisan tensions.

“Any bill not already on my desk will be vetoed,” Governor Hobbs warned on X earlier this month, citing how “extreme Republican legislators” are holding funding for constituents with disabilities “hostage to their political theater.”

While a budget dispute appeared to have been resolved last Friday, Hobbs has not made any official statement concerning SB1025 and SB1373.

Arizona’s press office did not immediately return Decrypt’s request for comments.

Edited by Sebastian Sinclair

Advertisement

Daily Debrief Newsletter

Start every day with the top news stories right now, plus original features, a podcast, videos and more.



Source link

Continue Reading

Arizona

Arizona Lottery Pick 3, Fantasy 5 results for April 27, 2025

Published

on

Arizona Lottery Pick 3, Fantasy 5 results for April 27, 2025


play

The Arizona Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.

Arizona offers Powerball, Mega Millions, The Pick, Triple Twist, Fantasy 5 and Pick 3 as well as Scratchers, Quick Draw and Fast Play.

Advertisement

Lottery players have seen enormous jackpots recently, with previous winners of both the Powerball and Mega Millions breaking into the top 10 largest jackpots in U.S. lottery history. Money raised from Arizona lottery games goes toward funding higher education, health and human services, environmental conservation and economic and business development in the state.

Pick 3

0-7-4

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Fantasy 5

03-08-18-28-37

Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Advertisement

Triple Twist

10-13-22-24-26-40

Check Triple Twist payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news and results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Arizona Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $100 and may redeem winnings up to $599. For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Arizona Lottery offices. By mail, send a winner claim form, winning lottery ticket and a copy of a government-issued ID to P.O. Box 2913, Phoenix, AZ 85062.

Advertisement

To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a winner claim form and deliver the form, along with the ticket and government-issued ID to any of these locations:

Phoenix Arizona Lottery Office: 4740 E. University Drive, Phoenix, AZ 85034, 480-921-4400. Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Tucson Arizona Lottery Office: 2955 E. Grant Road, Tucson, AZ 85716, 520-628-5107. Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Phoenix Sky Harbor Lottery Office: Terminal 4 Baggage Claim, 3400 E. Sky Harbor Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85034, 480-921-4424. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Sunday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes up to $49,999.

Advertisement

Kingman Arizona Lottery Office: Inside Walmart, 3396 Stockton Hill Road, Kingman, AZ 86409, 928-753-8808. Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, closed holidays. This office can cash prizes up to $49,999.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://www.arizonalottery.com/.

Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Where can you buy Arizona lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Advertisement

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Arizona Republic editor. You can send feedback using this form. Our News Automation and AI team would love to hear from you. Take this survey and share your thoughts with us.



Source link

Continue Reading

Arizona

Arizona Cardinals had the ‘best value’ pick in the second round after taking Michigan football All-American

Published

on

Arizona Cardinals had the ‘best value’ pick in the second round after taking Michigan football All-American


After a pair of All-American seasons with Michigan football, cornerback Will Johnson was a one-time projected top-five draft pick. But Johnson played in just six games for the Wolverines this past season, didn’t participate in the NFL Combine, nor was he able to display his skills in Michigan’s Pro Day. With the lingering injury concerns, Johnson’s draft stock dropped.

Johnson fell out of the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and had to wait a little while for his name to be called in the second round. But finally, with the 47th pick, the Arizona Cardinals took Johnson in hopes of him becoming a Patrick Peterson type player for Arizona.

After dropping so far, ESPN’s Matt Miller named Johnson as the best value pick in Round 2 of the draft.

Getting Johnson at this spot represented a 40-pick value based on my predraft rankings. Johnson fills the Cardinals’ biggest need and has true All-Pro potential. That isn’t usually found in Round 2. There are long-term injury concerns but the reward on this pick could be the highest of any in this class.

– Matt Miller

Advertisement

After being selected, Johnson expressed his frustrations with falling in the draft. The Wolverines’ cornerback vowed that he was healthy and he would play with a chip on his shoulder. Johnson’s talent is undeniable. During Michigan’s national title run in 2023, Johnson was arguably the most dominant cornerback in college football. He shut down Ohio State’s Marvin Harrison Jr., and Washington’s Rome Odunze — two of the top playmakers in college football that year.

Assuming Johnson can stay healthy, he will prove to be the steal of the draft being selected with the 47th pick.

– Enjoy more Michigan Wolverines coverage on Michigan Wolverines On SI –

Social media has strong take on Michigan football RB Donovan Edwards going undrafted, signing with Jets

Michigan football gains second commitment on Saturday

Advertisement

Michigan Football: Arizona Cardinals CB Will Johnson ‘frustrated’ with fall, vows he’s healthy

For additional coverage of University of Michigan athletics:



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending