Stanford Cardinal at Arizona Wildcats Betting Preview
The second-best team in the nation, the Arizona Wildcats (26-3, 16-2), will look to keep dominating the Pac-12 on Thursday as they host Stanford (15-13, 8-10). This matchup will be played at McKale Memorial Center, with tipoff scheduled for 9:00 pm ET.
This is the second time this season these two have matched up. Back on January 20, Arizona embarrassed Stanford on their home floor as they beat them 85-57. They will look to sweep the season series Thursday.
Stanford comes into this one, having lost three in a row, including a 53-39 loss at the hands of California on Saturday. The Cardinals only had one player score in double digits in the loss as Spencer Jones put up 10 points.
After being upset by Colorado on Saturday, Arizona bounced back with a 91-71 road win over No. 16 USC on Tuesday.
In the win, the Wildcats had five players score in double digits. Bennedict Mathurin had a game-high 19 points while Kerr Kriisa added 18.
Arizona is the overwhelming favorite in this one. They are -4000 to win while the Cardinals’ moneyline sits at +1280. The spread features Stanford +18.5 (-110), and the over/under for total points is 147.
More Odds
Arizona currently has the second-best odds of winning the National Championship this season at +600.
By The Numbers
Arizona has one of the best offenses in all of college basketball. They currently rank third in scoring averaging 84.7 points per game (86.7 at home). The Cardinals rank 281st, averaging 66 points per game (61.7 on the road).
Defensively, it is again Arizona with the advantage. They rank 94th in scoring defense as they are allowing opponents an average of just 66.8 points per game (62.7 at home). Stanford ranks 125th, allowing 67.8 points to opponents.
Stanford Looks To Shock Wildcats And Break Their Losing Streak
After losing three straight games, getting back in the win column becomes especially tough as they travel to take on the No. 2 Arizona Wildcats. Not only have they struggled as of late, but they have had a really tough time against Arizona as they have lost 18 of their last 20 against the Wildcats.
Trying to help lead the team to an upset is freshman forward Harrison Ingram. At 10.8 points per game, Ingram is the Cardinals’ leading scorer this season. He is also adding 6.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists.
The two other main contributors for Stanford are forwards Jaiden Delaire (10.7 points, 4.1 rebounds) and Spencer Jones (10.5 points, 4.3 rebounds).
Arizona Looks To Remain Unbeaten At Home
At 26-3 overall, the Arizona Wildcats have been a tough matchup for most teams in the nation. At home, they have been downright unbeatable to this point as they are 15-0 at the McKale Memorial Center. They will look to keep that streak going on Thursday.
Leading the Wildcats offense is sophomore guard Bennedict Mathurin. On the season, he is averaging 17.2 points on 46.7% shooting. He is also adding 5.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and a steal per game.
The Wildcats have three others averaging double digits, including Azuolas Tubelis (15.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists), Christian Koloko (11.7 points, 7.3 rebounds), and Kerr Kriisa (10.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, five assists).
Take Arizona To Win And Cover
Despite being upset the other day and despite the large spread, this just seems like a game that Stanford will have a tough time keeping competitive. Their offense is downright dreadful, while their defense is not good enough to keep down Arizona’s attack.
Even playing on the road, Arizona almost beat Stanford by 30 the first time, and this time around, they will have the benefit of playing at home. Expect this to get ugly early, so take Arizona to win and cover.
