In their final home game of the season, the No. 12-ranked Arizona Wildcats (21-5) host the Arizona State Sun Devils (14-12) at McKale Center. The game gets underway at 9:00 pm ET on Wednesday, Feb. 17 and will air on ES2 and ES3.
The Wildcats defeated USC 86-78 on Sunday. Mark Tollefsen played a key role with 13 points, six rebounds, and two blocks. The Sun Devils, meanwhile, are feeling some disappointment after their 78-65 loss at the hands of UCLA on Sunday. Andre Spight had a game-high 21 points.
This will be the second matchup of the season between these two teams. The Wildcats won the first game 94-82. Gabe York was a top performer in the victory with 22 points, five rebounds, six assists, one steal, and four three-pointers.
The Wildcats are attempting to build on their records of 21-5 Straight Up (SU) and 14-12 Against The Spread (ATS). The Wildcats come into the game with the 18th-ranked scoring offense in the nation, averaging 81.4 points per game. The Wildcats are one of the best in Division I in terms of field-goal percentage, shooting an impressive .376 from beyond the arc. Arizona has an edge in the rebounding department for this game, where it racks up an average of 40.4 rebounds per game. The Arizona defense has done poorly against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, allowing an average of 76.6 points per game, well above their season average of 68.3.
On the other side, the Sun Devils head into the game with records of 12-12-1 ATS and 14-12 SU.
Arizona beat Arizona State in their most recent meeting this season, bringing its SU record to 7-3 over Arizona State in their most recent games. The Wildcats also hold the advantage ATS with a record of 7-3. Arizona held the edge in field goals, rebounds, and three-pointers once in the last five games, while Arizona State wasn’t able to do so in that span.
Predictions: SU Winner – Ari, ATS Winner – Ari
Notes
Arizona is one of the top-scoring teams in the nation, averaging 81.4 points per game (ranked 18th). Arizona State, on the other hand, allows 73.1 points per game (ranked 169th).
Arizona scores 81.6 points per home game (ranked 47th). Arizona State ranks a poor 116th in points allowed on the road, allowing 73.4 points.
Ranked 27th, the Arizona Wildcats have an offensive rating of 114.3. The Arizona State Sun Devils rank 183rd with a defensive rating of just 103.7.
On average, Arizona has 71.2 possessions per game and scores 1.143 points on each possession. Arizona State has both fewer possessions (70.5) and scores fewer points during those possessions (1.071).
Arizona has an average effective field goal percentage of 54.2%. Arizona State is a subpar 2-7 when opponents have a similar or higher effective field goal percentage.
On average, the Arizona Wildcats attempt 16.0 three point field goals per game and the Arizona State Sun Devils attempt 23.0. In games where they attempt at least 20 threes, Arizona has a formidable 8-1 record, while Arizona State is 12-9.
Arizona, the 64th-ranked team in blocked shots, records an average of 4.5 per game. Arizona State does worse, ranked 239th with 2.8.
The Arizona State Sun Devils rank 62nd in offensive rebounds, and the Arizona Wildcats rank 12th in the nation in defensive rebounds.
On average, Arizona State forces a turnover rate of 19.1%. When Arizona turns over the ball at a similar or higher rate, the team has a solid 8-3 record.
