The No. 18 Arizona Wildcats (9-3) put their six-game winning streak on the line when they meet the Connecticut Huskies (7-3) at McKale Memorial Center. The game will air on ESPN2 at 9 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 21, 2017.
Arizona opened as a 15-point favorite, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) has been set at 145.5 points.
Connecticut Huskies vs. Arizona Wildcats Betting Prediction
In the Huskies’ last game, they beat the Coppin State Eagles, 72-59. The Huskies, who came into the game averaging an offensive rebounding percentage of 28.2, had an absurd mark of 50.0, while the Eagles had a turnover percentage of 22.2 (above their season average of 17.2). Connecticut was lifted by Jalen Adams, who led the team in scoring with 15 points on 5-for-18 shooting.
The Wildcats easily got past the North Dakota State Bison in their last contest, 83-53. The Wildcats had a phenomenally low turnover percentage of 6.5 (better than their season average of 15.6), while the Bison had a free throw rate of 0.093 (below their season average of 0.177). Deandre Ayton was the game’s high scorer with 25 points on 11-for-17 shooting.
The high-powered offense of Arizona (14th in the NCAA with an offensive efficiency of 121.2) will battle against the mid-tier defense of Connecticut (153rd in the NCAA with a defensive efficiency of 100.4). The Wildcats figure to have the edge on that end of the court.
Connecticut has a phenomenal 7-3 straight up (SU) record, but they are just 1-6 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has a tendency to set the total low when the Huskies are involved, as four of their 6 games have ended over the O/U total.
Arizona has a phenomenal 9-3 SU record, but they have trouble covering the spread (5-7 ATS). Similarly to Connecticut, games featuring the Wildcats also have a tendency to go over the O/U total (58.3 percent).
Connecticut Huskies at Arizona Wildcats Betting Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Arizona, ATS Winner – Connecticut, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Arizona ranks 64th in assists per game (15.8) while Connecticut ranks 238th (10.0).
The Wildcats rank eighth in rebounds allowed per game (29.8) while the Huskies rank 146th (35.3).
Connecticut ranks 147th in three pointers attempted per game (22.1) while Arizona ranks 231st (18.5).
The Huskies rank 36th in steals allowed per game (5.3) while the Wildcats rank 84th (6.2).
Connecticut ranks 37th in blocks allowed per game (2.5) while Arizona ranks 64th (3.0).
Bettings Trends:
The Huskies have been outscored by an average of 4.8 points in their last five games. For the season, Connecticut has defeated opponents by an average of 0.3 points.
During their last five games, the Wildcats have scored an average of 83.6 points per game (0.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 72.0 points per game (0.1 below their season average).
