The No. 14 Arizona Wildcats (16-4, 6-1 Pac-12) welcome the Colorado Buffaloes (12-8, 4-4 Pac-12) to McKale Memorial Center as they look to extend their eight-game home winning streak. The game begins at 8:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 25, 2018.
Arizona is a 13.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 144.5 points.
Colorado Buffaloes vs. Arizona Wildcats Betting Prediction
In the Buffaloes’ last game, they were topped by the Washington Huskies, 72-62. Washington’s 42.1 offensive rebounding percentage was their biggest advantage over Colorado, who had a rate of 26.1. The Huskies’ mark was above their season average of 30.4, while the Buffaloes’ was below the 34.6 mark opponents have averaged against Washington this season. Tyler Bey led Colorado in scoring with 14 points on 5-for-9 shooting.
The Wildcats edged the Stanford Cardinal in their last matchup, 73-71. Arizona held the Cardinal to an effective field goal percentage of 0.443 (below their season average of 0.522). Stanford, on the other hand, did a great job of making free throws (17-23; 73.9 percent). Allonzo Trier was the game’s high scorer with 21 points on 5-for-10 shooting.
The prolific offense of Arizona (14th in the NCAA with an offensive efficiency of 117.7) will face off against the mid-tier defense of Colorado (182nd in the NCAA with a defensive efficiency of 102.6). The Wildcats should have the edge on that side of the ball.
Colorado is 12-8 straight up (SU), but they have a hard time covering the spread (9-10-1 against the spread (ATS)). It’s tough to find a trend for games involving the Buffaloes in regards to the O/U total, as there has been an even split between games finishing over and under.
Arizona is 16-4 SU, but they are just 7-12-1 ATS. Just over half of Wildcats games have finished over the projected point total.
George King has averaged 17.2 points, 9.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks over the last five games for Colorado.
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, the Wildcats lost 80-77, unable to cover as 8.5-point favorites. Deandre Ayton scored a game-high 26 points and also recorded five rebounds. The game finished with a total of 157 points, which was 7.5 points above the projected point total of 149.5 points. One of Colorado’s biggest advantages was their ability to convert at the free throw line. They were 15-17 (88.2 percent), while the Wildcats were 14-17 (82.4 percent).
Colorado Buffaloes at Arizona Wildcats Odds Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Arizona, ATS Winner – Arizona, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Colorado is 2-7-1 ATS with 6 unders and 4 overs.
At home, Arizona is 3-6-1 ATS with 5 overs and 5 unders.
Arizona ranks seventh in rebounds allowed per game (30.1) while Colorado ranks 150th (35.0).
The Wildcats rank 38th in assists per game (16.2) while the Buffaloes rank 180th (12.8).
Colorado ranks 144th in three pointers attempted per game (21.8) while Arizona ranks 229th (19.0).
The Wildcats average 4.7 blocks per game, which ranks 37th in the nation. The Buffaloes rank 112th in blocks allowed per game (3.5).
Arizona averages 5.5 steals per game, which ranks 161st in the nation. Colorado ranks 167th in steals allowed per game (7.4).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Colorado is 3-1-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Arizona is 1-4 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over their last five games.
The Buffaloes have been outscored by an average of 0.2 points in their last five games. For the season, Colorado has defeated opponents by an average of 0.8 points.
During their last five games, the Wildcats have scored an average of 76.2 points per game (6.0 below their season average) and allowed an average of 69.0 points per game (2.4 below their season average).
