Connecticut vs. Arizona Pick
Two prestigious college basketball programs collide tonight when No. 18 Arizona plays host to Connecticut at 9PM ET.
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Arizona is favored at home tonight, as the Wildcats are getting odds of -15.5 points against Connecticut. The over/under total for the game has been set at 144.5 points. Tonight’s contest takes place from the McKale Center in Tucson, Arizona and will air live on ESPN2.
Connecticut is coming off a 72-59 win over Coppin State for its third win in four games. The Huskies haven’t played since Dec. 9 and they stand 7-3 overall. They have struggled at the betting window, going just 1-6 against the spread, failing to cover in their last six. UConn is averaging 71.8 points per game on offense while giving up 71.5 per contest. Jalen Adams is leading the Huskies with 19.2 points per game while Terry Larrier is adding 15.6 points and 5.7 rebounds per contest.
Arizona is coming off an 83-53 win over North Dakota State for their sixth straight win. The Wildcats are now 9-3 overall and 5-6-1 against the spread. Zona has managed to cover in three of its last four games. Arizona is averaging 84.3 points per game on offense this season while allowing 72.1 on defense. Allonzo Trier has been leading the team with 21.7 points per game, but he is questionable to play tonight due to a knee injury. Deandre Ayton is averaging 20.3 points and 11.8 rebounds per game to aid the Wildcats.
Bet on Connecticut vs. Arizona
UConn has won five straight meetings with Arizona, going 4-1 against the spread in those contests. I think tonight goes to the Wildcats, though. Arizona has looked good since their three-game losing streak. Trier should be able to play tonight, which gives Arizona the best two players on the floor. UConn has struggled against top-level teams in recent outings and I expect more of the same tonight. The public betting is siding with the Huskies, but I think Arizona will cover.
CBB DAILY PREDICTION: ARIZONA -15.5