The No. 9-ranked Arizona Wildcats (22-6) head to Utah to play the No. 22-ranked Runnin’ Utes (22-7) in what should be a high-scoring game. The game begins at 2:00 pm ET on Saturday, Feb. 27 and will air on ESP and ES3.
The Runnin’ Utes had no trouble getting past Arizona State 81-46 on Thursday. Brekkott Chapman was the game’s leading scorer with 15 points on 5-for-10 shooting. The Wildcats are coming off a tough 75-72 loss at the hands of Colorado on Wednesday. Ryan Anderson scored 19 points and recorded 10 rebounds earning his 14th double-double of the season.
Jakob Poeltl has really been playing well recently for the Runnin’ Utes, averaging 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.6 steals, and 1.4 blocks over the last five games.
The game should be a battle of strength against strength, as the high-powered offense of Utah (17th in the nation with an offensive efficiency of 115.9) takes on the stingy defense of Arizona (28th in the nation with a defensive efficiency of 96.0). Furthermore, getting to the line could play a crucial role for the Wildcats. They rank 13th in the nation in FTA rate (44.8). However, the Runnin’ Utes are among the best in the nation at keeping opponents off the charity stripe (ranking third at 23.3).
The Runnin’ Utes enter the game with records of 22-7 Straight Up (SU) and 14-13-1 Against The Spread (ATS). The Runnin’ Utes have one of the most prolific home offenses in the entire nation, averaging 85.2 points per game. Utah is one of the best passing teams in the nation with an average of 16.3 assists per game.
Over on the other bench, the Wildcats have records of 15-13 ATS and 22-6 SU. Arizona has done particularly well ATS over its past 10 matchups, going 7-3. They sport the 12th-ranked scoring offense in the country, averaging 79.9 points per game.
These conference rivals meet for what will be their first head-to-head battle of the season. Arizona won the last game in the matchup, bringing its SU record in their most recent games to 10-0. With a 6-4 record, the Wildcats also have the advantage ATS. When it comes to field goals, rebounds, or three-pointers, neither team was able to hold the advantage in all three of these categories over their past five meetings against one another.
Predictions: SU Winner – Ari, ATS Winner – Ari
Notes
“Utah is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games “.
“Utah is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games “.
“The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Utah’s last 6 games “.
“Utah is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home”.
“Utah is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home”.
“Utah is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Arizona”.
“Utah is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Arizona”.
“Utah is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Arizona”.
Utah and Arizona hold winning records against the Pac-12 Conference this season. The Utah Runnin’ Utes sit at 11-5 SU and the Arizona Wildcats have a 10-5 record.
Arizona is one of the highest-scoring teams in the nation, averaging 81.7 points per game (ranked 18th). Utah allows 68.8 points per game (ranked 91st).
Arizona is one of the top-scoring teams on the road, averaging 79.9 points per game (ranked 12th). Utah, on the other hand, allows 68.2 points per home game (ranked 129th).
Arizona lost its last game by a three-point margin. In games decided by a margin of three points or less, Utah is 3-2. Arizona is 1-4 in close games this season.
Ranked 25th, the Arizona Wildcats have an offensive rating of 114.9. The Utah Runnin’ Utes rank 104th with a defensive rating of just 100.2.
Arizona has an average field goal percentage of 49.1% (ranked 12th). Utah is a losing 1-2 when opponents have a similar or higher field goal percentage.
The Utah Runnin’ Utes average 21.0 three point attempts per game, and the Arizona Wildcats attempt 16.0 per game. When going for at least 20 three pointers in a game this season, both teams have winning records; Utah is 14-2 and Arizona is 8-1.
Utah ranks 44th in the nation with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.33. Arizona is ranked lower at 118th with an A/TO of 1.15.
Arizona, the 20th-ranked team in rebounding, registers an average of 40.6 rebounds per game. Utah ranks 98th with 37.8.
Arizona ranks 143rd in offensive rebounds, while Utah ranks at 32nd in defensive rebounds.
On average, Utah forces a turnover rate of 16.1%. When Arizona turns over the ball at a similar or higher rate, the team has a superb 13-4 record.
