Offense meets defense when the No. 6 Gonzaga Bulldogs (10-1) head to Arizona to take on the No. 15 Wildcats (10-1). The game can be seen on ESPN2 at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 14, 2019.
Gonzaga Bulldogs at Arizona Wildcats Free Prediction
In the Bulldogs’ last matchup, they topped the No. 22 Washington Huskies, 83-76. Gonzaga’s rebounding was their largest advantage. The Bulldogs had 11 offensive rebounds and 36 total rebounds, while the Huskies had two and 30, respectively. Gonzaga was led by Filip Petrusev, who led the team in scoring with 17 points on 7-for-15 shooting.
The Wildcats easily got past the Omaha Mavericks in their last matchup, 99-49. The Wildcats, who came into the game averaging an effective field goal percentage of 0.569, had an extraordinary mark of 0.667 and had a turnover percentage of 11.0 (better than their season average of 15.3). With 13 points and 11 assists, Arizona’s Nico Mannion put together a good outing.
The game should be a matchup of strength against strength as the prolific offense of Arizona (third in the country with an offensive efficiency of 118.8) takes on the elite defense of Gonzaga (44th in the NCAA with a defensive efficiency of 89.8). Also, the Bulldogs commit the 16th-fewest errors in the nation (turnover percentage of 15.9 percent), while the gambling defense of the Wildcats causes the 39th-most (opponents’ turnover percentage of 23.4 percent).
After the Bulldogs won the only game against the Wildcats last season, 91-74, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. The Bulldogs had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (25.7 vs. 15.6) and had a much better turnover percentage (14.1 vs. 20.0).
Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. Arizona Wildcats Free Pick
College Basketball Prediction: ATS Winner – Arizona, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
Gonzaga averages 17.1 assists per game, which ranks 13th in the country. Arizona ranks 82nd in assists allowed per game (11.8).
The Bulldogs’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 10.8, down from 20.9 for the season.
During their last five games, the Wildcats have scored an average of 83.0 points per game (2.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 70.2 points per game (7.0 above their season average).
