Arizona vs Utah State final score, highlights: Wildcats hold off Aggies to advance

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It was a valiant effort from the Utah State Aggies to keep up with Arizona in the second round of the Men's NCAA Tournament, but ultimately they were spinning their wheels.

Arizona won 78-66 in a score that doesn't reflect just how hard Utah State fought, with the Wildcats ultimately gaining the edge through a rebounding advantage of 45-23, a free throw disparity of 39-11, and good old-fashioned hoopers.

March Madness conference records: Big Ten leads at 11-2; How are SEC, Big 12 doing?

Brayden Burries proved that his name isn't a name. It's a sentence. He hit the dagger in a 70-64 game in the second half on a stepback 3-pointer in the face of an Aggie defender. Despite some early foul trouble, he ended up with 16 points, just two back of team leader Jaden Bradley .

Arizona will now head to Tommy Lloyd's sworn enemy: The Sweet 16. It has seen three of its past four seasons end at this point in the bracket, including in each of the past two seasons. It will look for a different result against John Calipari and Arkansas, which has been on a tear since winning the SEC Tournament.

Here's what you need to know about today's game.

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Arizona vs Utah State final score

Arizona vs Utah State live updates

Arizona defeats Utah State to advance to Sweet 16

The game was sweaty, but never especially close. Arizona holds off No. 9 Utah State to make the Sweet 16 for the third straight season, where it will hope to change the narrative around Tommy Lloyd's Wildcats after losing there in each of the past two years. Jaden Bradley led the team with 18 points, while Brayden Burries finished with 16 in a strong showing.

Hope slipping away for Aggies

Brayden Burries is serious. He hits an incredible shot from beyond the arc to bring the Arizona lead to nine, and it looks like Arizona will come out of this with a win. He splits two free throws to make it 74-64, and a Utah State air ball with 1:03 left may be the death rattle.

Arizona trying to hold off Utah State

This has been a slog for Utah State, but it is very much in the thick of things. Arizona has outrebounded Utah State 40-22 and it has 20 more free throw attempts, but it's still just 68-61 with 3:24 left in the game. Part of that is six 3s from Utah State in the second half, in conjunction with some shooting struggles for Arizona.

Utah State still clawing its way back

The Aggies have been on the right side of a few breaks, including a missed 3-pointer at the end of the shot clock that was rebounded and put back up for an And-1. It's now 56-49 with 7:27 left, and Utah State is going to the line to make this a ballgame.

Utah State showing signs of life

One. Possession. At. A. Time. Utah State has scored six unanswered, as it tries to cut into Arizona's lead. Nothing has come easy, but it's 51-39 with 11:48 left in the half.

Arizona pouring it on

Things are going south for Utah State, and Arizona has opened up an 18-point lead. The net looks wide open for the Wildcats right now, and they're capitalizing. It's 51-33 with 14:41 left in the second half.

Arizona-Utah State back underway

We're back underway, and Arizona has a bucket out of the break to make it 35-24. Utah State will try to find a way to crack this Arizona defense.

Arizona takes lead into halftime

Arizona takes a 33-24 lead into the half, as both teams struggle at times to sustain offensive momentum. Koa Peat is leading the way with 11 points on 3-of-5 shooting and 5-of-7 from the line, with six rebounds to boot. Jaden Bradley has put up six for the Wildcats. For the Aggies, Garry Clark is the leader with six points. They've only been to the line twice, with Drake Allen going 1-of-2. Expect a more aggressive plan to challenge the Wildcats at the basket, as they're 1-of-12 from 3 in the first half.

Tempo is cratering in Arizona vs Utah State

Neither of these teams are moving the ball super well right now, and both sides are in a bit of a drought. Wildcats lead 30-22 with under two minutes in the half, as they capitalize on a few Utah State mistakes.

Arizona goes on another run

The Wildcats are going to be a tough out for anyone, and they're showing it here. After Utah State draws to within three, Arizona goes on an 8-0 run to make it 27-16 with 6 minutes left in the first half.

Brayden Burries in early foul trouble

Tommy Lloyd says Brayden Burries will play again in the first half, but he's on the bench now with two fouls. The Wildcats are showing good rotation right now, but Lloyd says he feels they're shooting too many 3s early. Nevertheless, Arizona leads 19-16 with 8:35 left in the half.

Utah State battling early

After the initial Arizona onslaught, Utah State strings some buckets together. However, Arizona answers back and the lead is up to seven as approach the halfway point in the first half.

Arizona all over Utah State early

Arizona has jumped out to a 10-4 lead over Utah State, as Koa Peat has an early four. The Wildcats are moving the ball well against the Aggies, as they look to keep their momentum rolling.

What time is Arizona vs Utah State?

• Time:7:50 p.m. ET, Sunday.

What channel is Arizona vs Utah State? How to watch, streaming info

• The game is airing on truTV, streaming via Fubo .

Arizona vs Utah State prediction, odds

∎ Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic : Arizona 83, Utah State 72

The Wildcats are seeking their first Final Four appearance since 2001. They will get one step closer with a win over Utah State, although it won't come quite as easily as the win over Long Island.

• John Leuzzi:Arizona

• Jordan Mendoza:Arizona

• Ehsan Kassim:Arizona

• Blake Schuster:Arizona

• Moneyline:Arizona (-800); Utah State (+550)

• Spread:Arizona (-11.5)

• Over/ under total:153.5

Who is Jerrod Calhoun? What to know about Utah State coach and Aggies offense?

"This guy is an offensive genius," CBS commentator and former NBA coach Stan Van Gundy said of Calhoun during Utah State's first round win over Villanova.

CBS Sports analyst Jamal Mashburn, who played 11 NBA seasons , also had high praise for Calhoun and what he's done with the Aggies program.

"Just a masterful job of what he's been able to do," Mashburn said. "Teach these kids how to play that way, and also put them in a position to be aggressive and not be afraid to make mistakes."

Even TNT Sports host Adam Lefkoe had to admire Calhoun's coaching prowess.

"Many of you have not seen Utah State. But we sat here and went, 'Coaches around the country need to steal their plays.' Hopefully they don't steal their players," Lefkoe said. "Utah State's offense was phenomenal. ... Let's look at the highlights because almost every play you see is a masterclass from coach Calhoun."

Is Jerrod Calhoun a candidate for Cincinnati coach job?

Calhoun, who's in his second season as head coach at Utah State, is being linked with a number of power conference openings, including Cincinnati.

An Ohio native, Calhoun got his start in coaching as a student assistant on the Bearcats staff in 2003-04. He spent seven years as head coach at Ohio's Youngstown State before heading to USU.

"Calhoun is going to be great walking the sidelines at UC," former Bearcat great Nick Van Exel tweeted after Calhoun's Aggies defeated Villanova. "Offense is great. Lots of ball/body movement and paint touches. And he gets the history of the program and understands that the UC vs X is a rivalry and not just another game."

Koa Peat 2026 NBA Draft, mock draft prediction

No. 19 overall to Miami Heat

Kalbrosky's Analysis:

The Miami Heat have drafted several prospects known for their athleticism, which means a player like Arizona forward Koa Peat will probably have some appeal to their organization. Peat is an ideal match for this franchise given his versatility as a playmaking forward. The All-Big 12 forward just needs a jumper to carve out regular minutes as a high-impact pro. Arizona plays at a significantly faster pace (4.6 extra possessions) when Peat is on the floor relative to when he is not, per CBB Analytics, which would fit very well with Miamis fastest-paced offense in the NBA.

See USA TODAY's full mock draft here

Koa Peat stats

(all stats as of March 15)

• 13.6 points per game

• 5.3 rebounds per game

• 2.7 assists per game

• 53.7% field goal percentage

• 31.6% three-point field goal percentage

Brayden Burries 2026 NBA Draft, mock draft prediction

No. 10 overall to Milwaukee Bucks .

Kalbrosky's Analysis:

Arizona freshman Brayden Burries had two breakout games in January, which helped solidify his draft stock. But the All-Big 12 guard has continued to display his tantalizing talent, scoring 31 points with seven rebounds and five steals against Colorado on March 7 and 20 points with 12 rebounds and five assists during a victory against No. 14 Kansas on Feb. 28. Burries has proven productivity and that he is able to defend, relocate, move the ball and make 3-pointers off the dribble.

See USA TODAY's full mock draft here

Brayden Burries stats

(all stats as of March 15)

• 15.9 points per game

• 4.7 rebounds per game

• 2.6 assists per game

• 49.2% field goal percentage

• 36.7% three-point field goal percentage

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Arizona vs Utah State final score: Wildcats advance to Sweet 16 in March Madness