The Arizona Wildcats have looked like the best team in the PAC 12 so far this season. Although this team had some struggles in non-conference play, the Wildcats have been able to take care of business against all but one of their opponents.
However, something still feels a bit off with this team. Arizona has made some really mind-numbing mistakes at crucial times and seems to check out a little too often. The Utah Utes will hope to catch them on the back foot this weekend.
This war on the floor will go down Saturday, January 27, 2018, at 5:30 p.m. ET at the McKale Center in Tucson, Arizona. The game will be televised live on FOX. We'll have NCAA basketball odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the college basketball Saturday schedule.
Opening College Basketball Odds at BookMaker.eu
A lot was expected from Arizona coming into this season. The Wildcats were considered a top five team by almost every expert in the country, but they have put together some head-scratching performances. They are 2-5-1 ATS in their last eight games and 7-11-2 ATS overall this year.
Under has been a decent bet in Arizona games as of late. The under has cashed in six of the Wildcats’ last nine games, as the defense has had some very good performances. Under is 4-1 in Arizona’s last five home games.
Utah had lost four straight prior to a homestand against the two Washington schools. The Utes were only able to keep it close during Arizona State during that four-game stretch, losing by double digits to the other three teams. In conference play, they have been able to win and cover against the Pacific Northwest schools, but have lost and failed to cover against the LA and Arizona schools.
The under has been a solid play in Utah games this season. Under has come in in seven of the last ten games and is 10-6-1 overall.
Last Meeting
These teams have already met once this season with Arizona beating Utah 94-82 in Salt Lake City a few weeks ago. The Utes failed to cover, but were lucky to keep it close with how poorly they played on the defense. Arizona was able to do whatever it wanted against Utah down low and was barely tested in the win.
The rebounding battle was completely one-sided in favor of Arizona. The Wildcats outrebounded the Utes 46-23 and grabbed 14 offensive rebounds in this one. Freshman Deandre Ayton was completely untouchable, going 10-15 from the floor with 14 rebounds on the evening.
Utah was only able to keep it close because of some solid three-point shooting. The Utes were able to have a lot of success against the Wildcats from range, sinking 12 of 26 three-pointers on the night. It was one of the few bright spots for this team in the loss.
Player to Watch
Allonzo Trier did not have to do much the last time these teams squared off. He took a season-low five shots in the victory as he was content to let the big men up front take care of the Utes.
This time around, Utah is going to adjust. The Utes know they will need to put more bodies in the paint to counteract Arizona’s size advantage, and that will give Trier a lot of room to maneuver. Trier is one of the top playmakers in the game. He isn’t afraid to take a ton of shots if the situation calls for it, so look for him to have a big night.
Free College Basketball ATS Picks
Utah is simply outclassed here. The Utes don’t have the size to keep up with the Wildcats in the frontcourt, and the guards won’t have the same success from downtown that they did in the previous meeting. Arizona will pick up an easy win.
College Basketball Odds: Arizona 89, Utah 70
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