The No. 15 Arizona Wildcats (24-7, 14-4 Pac-12) clash against the Colorado Buffaloes (17-14, 9-10 Pac-12) in the Pac-12 Conference Tournament at T-Mobile Arena. The game starts at 3 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 8, 2018, and will air on Pac-12 Network.
Colorado Buffaloes vs. Arizona Wildcats ATS Prediction
In the Buffaloes’ last game, they beat the Arizona State Sun Devils, 97-85. The Buffaloes held the Sun Devils to an offensive rebounding percentage of 18.4 (below their season average of 28.4) and had a free throw rate of 0.290 (above their season average of 0.238). With 20 points on 8-for-14 shooting, McKinley Wright IV was the game’s leading scorer.
The Wildcats beat the California Golden Bears in their last game, 66-54. The Wildcats knocked down 23 of their 26 free throws (88.5 percent) and held the Golden Bears to an offensive rebounding percentage of 19.4 (below their season average of 35.2). Deandre Ayton was the top scorer from either team with 26 points on 9-for-12 shooting.
Arizona figures to have the advantage on the offensive side of the ball. The Wildcats rank 10th in offensive efficiency, while the Buffaloes rank 210th in defensive efficiency.
Ayton has averaged 20.4 points, 12.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocks over the last five games for Arizona.
The two teams have split their two matchups this season. The Wildcats won the most recent matchup 80-71. Arizona did a great job of making free throws (22-23; 95.7 percent). Colorado, on the other hand, had a better offensive rebounding percentage (16.7 vs. 12.5). Ayton had a stellar game, with 20 points and six rebounds.
Colorado Buffaloes vs. Arizona Wildcats Pick
Prediction: SU Winner – Colorado, ATS Winner – Colorado, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Arizona ranks 72nd in three pointers allowed per game (20.2) while Colorado ranks 225th (23.4).
The Wildcats rank 30th in blocks per game (4.7) while the Buffaloes rank 175th in blocks allowed per game (4.0).
Arizona ranks fifth in rebounds allowed per game (29.3) while Colorado ranks 118th (34.0).
The Buffaloes rank 50th in assists allowed per game (11.6) while the Wildcats rank 107th (12.7).
Arizona ranks 236th in steals per game (4.8) while Colorado ranks 249th (4.4).
Bettings Trends:
The Buffaloes’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 5.6, up from 0.5 for the season.
During their last five games, the Wildcats have scored an average of 77.2 points per game (3.9 below their season average) and allowed an average of 70.8 points per game (1.0 below their season average).
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