In a highly anticipated Round of 32 game in the West Region of the March Madness bracket, the No. 2 Arizona Wildcats are set to face off against the No. 7 Dayton Flyers for a spot in the Sweet 16. The game is scheduled to tip off at 12:45 p.m. ET today in Salt Lake City.

The Wildcats enter the matchup as the clear favorites, with March Madness odds having them pegged close to double-digit favorites. After a slow start against No. 15 Long Beach State, Arizona managed to handle their business and clinch a comfortable 20-point victory. However, the spread for this game has seen some fluctuations, with the Flyers initially opening as 8.5-point underdogs but now sitting at a spread as high as +9.5.

Dayton's journey to this point has been filled with drama and excitement. In their Round of 64 game against Nevada, the Flyers found themselves trailing by as many as 17 points before staging a remarkable comeback with a 24-4 run to secure the win and advance to the next round. Despite their thrilling victory, the betting market has not shown much favor towards Dayton and the points.

While the Flyers' initial struggles against Nevada are concerning, it is important to note that their true quality as a team was showcased in the final minutes of that game. Dayton demonstrated their explosive offense, particularly their ability to hit three-pointers in bunches, which has made them one of the best offensive teams in the country. Their sharp shooting from beyond the arc could pose a challenge for the Wildcats' defense, which has shown vulnerability against perimeter plays.

When examining the matchup, statistics reveal that Arizona's defense may have weaknesses that Dayton can exploit. ShotQualityBets data shows that the Wildcats have struggled in points allowed per play at the rim, ranking 260th in the nation in that metric. Meanwhile, the Flyers rank 55th in offensive efficiency when finishing at the rim. Additionally, Dayton excels in transition plays, an area where the Wildcats' defense has struggled, ranking 323rd in points allowed to transition attacks.

As game models indicate, Arizona is favored to win, but only by a margin of 6-8 points. This makes Dayton a live underdog, with the potential to cause an upset against the Wildcats. The Flyers have already proven their resilience and ability to overcome significant deficits, making them a team to watch out for in this Round of 32 matchup.

Both teams will bring their A-game to the court as they battle for a highly coveted spot in the Sweet 16. With Dayton's explosive offense and Arizona's vulnerabilities, this showdown promises to be an exciting and closely contested affair. The Flyers have their sights set on continuing their impressive tournament run, while the Wildcats aim to assert their dominance as tournament favorites.

Basketball fans everywhere will be eagerly watching to see if the Dayton Flyers can once again defy the odds and secure a stunning upset, or if the Arizona Wildcats will live up to their lofty expectations and advance to the Sweet 16.