The No. 9 Arizona Wildcats (18-4, 8-1 Pac-12) put their six-game winning streak on the line when they square off with the Washington State Cougars (9-11, 1-7 Pac-12) at Wallis Beasley Performing Arts Coliseum. The game will air on Pac-12 Network at 10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, January 31, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 152.5 points with Arizona set as an 11-point favorite.
Arizona Wildcats at Washington State Cougars ATS Prediction
The Wildcats come in on a high note after barely hanging on to beat the Utah Runnin’ Utes in their last contest, 74-73. Arizona had an effective field goal percentage of 0.756 (above their season average of 0.567). Utah, on the other hand, did an excellent job of converting from the free throw line (18-21; 85.7 percent). Arizona received a boost from Dusan Ristic, who was the team’s high scorer with 23 points on 9-for-11 shooting.
In the Cougars’ last matchup, they were blown out by the Washington Huskies, 80-62. Washington’s effective field goal percentage was their largest advantage over Washington State. The Huskies had a rate of 0.634 (above their season average of 0.522), while the Cougars posted a mark of 0.474 (below their season average of 0.550). Robert Franks had a solid performance for Washington State, leading the team in scoring with 16 points on 6-for-17 shooting.
Second-chance opportunities could be few and far between for Washington State in this matchup. The Cougars currently rank 302nd in offensive rebounding percentage (24.8 percent), while Arizona ranks 74th in defensive rebounding percentage (73.9 percent). Also, the Wildcats’ 10th-ranked offense (offensive efficiency of 118.3) will try to exploit the Cougars’ 269th-ranked defense (defensive efficiency of 107.0).
Arizona is 18-4 straight up (SU), but they struggle covering the spread (7-14-1 against the spread (ATS)). Of the Wildcats’ 22 games, nine have finished under, 12 have finished over and one has pushed.
Meanwhile, Washington State owns records of 9-11 SU and 9-10 ATS. Games including the Cougars have typically finished under the total (57.9 percent).
After the Wildcats won both matchups against the Cougars last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the most recent contest, Arizona won 78-59. The Wildcats had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (38.9 vs. 17.6) and had a better free throw rate (0.194 vs. 0.111).
Arizona Wildcats vs. Washington State Cougars Betting Pick
Basketball Pick: SU Winner – Arizona, ATS Winner – Washington State, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Arizona is 4-6 ATS with 5 overs, 4 unders and 1 push.
At home, Washington State is 5-3 ATS with 7 unders and 1 over.
Washington State ranks seventh in three pointers attempted per game (30.1) while Arizona ranks 242nd (18.7).
The Wildcats rank sixth in rebounds allowed per game (29.7) while the Cougars rank 205th (36.6).
Arizona ranks 37th in blocks per game (4.7) while Washington State ranks 203rd (2.1).
The Wildcats rank 44th in assists per game (16.1) while the Cougars rank 168th in assists allowed per game (14.1).
Betting Trends:
In their last five games, Arizona is 1-4 ATS with 3 overs and 2 unders.
Washington State is 1-4 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Wildcats’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 8.0, down from 10.3 for the season.
During their last five games, the Cougars have scored an average of 70.4 points per game (4.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 75.2 points per game (0.1 below their season average).
