Utah vs Arizona Preview and Prediction
College basketball takes center stage on Saturday. In a Pac-12 showdown, the No. 8 ranked Utah Utes visit the No. 10 ranked Arizona Wildcats.
Arizona is undefeated in 31 consecutive home games. The Wildcats have won 10 straight against Utah.
Utah puts their longest winning streak in the past 10 seasons on the line against Arizona.
The Wildcats are 15-2 overall and 3-1 in Pac-12 play and have not lost at home since February of 2013. The Wildcats have not lost against Utah since 1998 in a regional final of the NCAA Tournament.
Sean Miller the Arizona coach believes Utah at 14-2 overall and 4-0 in conference play, is the best Pac-12 team.
Miller said the Utes have the most experience, are the deepest and believe in what they are doing on the court.
Utah is riding a winning streak of 7 games. The Utes are giving up 55.2 points a game in the Pac-12, which is the lowest of any team and are now the only team in Pac-12 play that is still undefeated.
Arizona out rebounded Colorado on Thursday 41-26, which helped the Wildcats to a 68-54 win at home.
Stanley Johnson a freshman scored 22 points, which is his season high.
Utah in its four conference games has won by an average of more than 24 points. Its latest rout was a 76-59 won on Thursday against Arizona State. It was the first Pac-12 game on the road for Utah this season. Last season, the Utes were 2-7 on the road in Pac-12 games.
Delon Wright was 12 for 12 from the free throw line overcoming a poor shooting night of 4 for 11 from the field.
Arizona defeated Utah on three occasions late season. The three wins included a rout of 71-39 in the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 conference tournament.
Wright averaged over 12 points a game in the three games last season versus Utah.
Arizona is not sure of the status of Gabe York a reserve guard. York sat out the game on Thursday due to an injured ankle. He started each of the first 13 games this and is averaging 9.2 points a game, which is fourth on the team.
Trends to Watch
The UNDER has cashed in 4 of the past 5 games the two teams have played in Arizona.
Utah is 4-1 against the number in its past 5 games played in Arizona.
The UNDER has cashed in 3 of the past 5 overall games between the two teams.
The visiting team has covered the number in 8 of the past 10 games between the two Pac-12 rivals.
Prediction: Utah has a very strong defense. However, Arizona is close to unbeatable at home. I like the Wildcats 66-64.
