The team most rooted for in March is the Underdogs, and tonight the No. 13 seed Akron Zips fill that role as they face off against the No. 4 seed Arizona Wildcats.

The game will tip off at 2:50 PM EST and air on CBS. The winner will face the Oregon-Liberty winner in the Second Round on Sunday.

The oddsmakers favor Arizona as the Wildcats are 14.5-point favorites across all of Ohio’s top sportsbooks. The over/under for the game can be found between 166.5 and 167.5.

Akron vs. Arizona predictions and best bets

This is March; let’s embrace the chaos! The Zips are a fast-paced offense that shoots at will and does so at a more efficient rate than Arizona. It won’t be easy with the size disadvantage, but their proven success on the perimeter could help Akron pull off one of the biggest upsets of the First Round.

This matchup is tied with Robert Morris-Alabama for the highest point total from oddsmakers for today’s games. While I’m not confident that both teams will go over, I do expect a high-scoring second half of play with each team in desperation mode. Therefore, I like the over here at -120 with Caesars.

Falling in line with thinking the Zips could win this game with their high-tempo approach also means the team’s leading guards will need to be at their best. Tavari Johnson has hit two or more three-pointers in four of his last six games. They’ll need him to do it again tonight to pull off the upset.

Akron vs. Arizona moneyline analysis

Why Arizona could win as the favorite

Arizona went 22-12 this season and played well enough to earn the fourth seed in the East region. The team struggled against their more formidable opponents (11-12 against Quad 1 opponents) but was 12-1 in Quad 2 games or lower. Tonight’s showdown against Akron would fall in that category.

The Wildcats are led by senior guard Caleb Love, who averages 16.6 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. He has scored 15 or more points in four of the team’s last five contests and will be relied on heavily in matching Akron’s high-powered attack today.

The Wildcats have an advantage in this matchup in defense. Arizona ranks 33rd in KenPom’s defensive efficiency rankings, while Akron is 182nd. That difference between defenses could be pivotal if the Wildcats can apply pressure to limit the Zips' opportunities at open looks.

Additionally, the Zips come into this matchup inexperienced compared to Arizona. Akron has played just four Quad 2 or higher games, none of which were Power 5 teams. Even so, they are only 1-3 in Q1/Q2 games this year.

Initiation against a top-15 team at the beginning of tournament play isn’t ideal and could result in the Zips getting completely obliterated in this matchup.

Why Akron could win as the underdog

The Akron Zips are 28-6 this season, including a 17-1 record in conference play. They squeezed out a narrow victory in the MAC Championship with a 76-74 win over Miami of Ohio.

Akron has won 21 of its last 22 games and will get its best opportunity against an Arizona squad that has dropped six of its previous 11 outings.

The Zips win games with their high-pressure offense. They average the 13th-most possessions per game and the fifth-most field goals made. Akron averages 8.5 more three-point attempts per contest than Arizona, and they shoot three percent better from deep. That difference in approach could easily swing the game’s results, especially if the Zips get hot.

Nate and Tavari Johnson are the team’s leaders. Both guards combine for an average of 27 points per game but are accompanied by seven other players who average six or more points per contest. That depth and variety in the rotation could be huge for a high-paced offense hoping to sustain success over the full 40 minutes.

It won’t be easy for the Zips, but there is reason to believe. This game has all the makings to get wholly flipped on its head if Arizona isn’t careful.