It will be a matchup of two teams headed in opposite directions when the undefeated No. 12-ranked Arizona Wildcats (3-0) take on the winless Northwestern State Demons (0-3) at McKale Center. The game starts at 8:00 pm ET on Sunday, Nov. 22 and will air on PAC.
The Wildcats defeated Boise State 88-76 on Thursday. Gabe York was the team’s leading scorer with 23 points on 7-for-12 shooting. The Demons are coming off an 80-64 loss at the hands of Louisiana-Monroe on Thursday. Zeek Woodley had a game-high 24 points.
This one isn’t expected to be close when Arizona, a heavy 25-point favorite, takes on Northwestern State. The matchup has an estimated Over/Under (O/U) of 168 points. The Wildcats enter the game with records of 3-0 Straight Up (SU) and 1-2 Against The Spread (ATS). The Wildcats are a phenomenal shooting team from the line with 24.0 free throws made per game, one of the highest marks in Division I. The Wildcats have a distinct advantage on the boards in this matchup. They are the 43rd-ranked rebounding team in Division I, averaging 44.3 per game, while the Demons rank 296th in the nation with 33.0 per game.
Northwestern State is one of the top foul-shooting teams in the nation, converting .761 of their shots from the line. Switching gears to the Northwestern State defense, the Demons allow very few three-pointers on defense with 5.0 given up per game.
This game marks the first time Arizona and Northwestern State have played one another in recent seasons.
Predictions: SU Winner – Ari, ATS Winner – Ari, O/U – Over
Notes
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Arizona’s last 5 games.
Arizona is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Arizona’s last 6 games at home.
Northwestern State averages 79.0 points per game, placing the team just 123rd in the nation. Arizona ranks 93rd in points allowed, giving up 65.7 points per game.
The Arizona Wildcats have a defensive rating of 93.0 (ranked 97th), while the Northwestern State Demons have an offensive rating of 109.0 (ranked 145th).
The Arizona Wildcats average a field goal percentage of 48.8% this season. The Northwestern State Demons are a winless 0-1 when opponents have a FG% of 48.8% or greater.
The Arizona Wildcats and the Northwestern State Demons both rank higher in average field goal percentage when compared to their effective field goal percentages. Arizona is 70th and 61st in the nation for eFG% and FG% respectively, while Northwestern State ranks 226th and 211th in these categories.
Arizona ranks 91st in assists, registering 15.7 per game. Northwestern State performs worse at 143rd with 14.3 assists per game.
Arizona, the 43rd-ranked team in rebounding, register an average of 44.3 rebounds per game. Northwestern State does worse, ranked 296th with 33.0.
On average, the Arizona Wildcats make 4.7 steals per game. The Northwestern State Demons are winless at 0-3 when they allow 4 or more steals.
