It will be a battle between Pac-12 opponents when the Arizona Wildcats (19-10, 9-7 Pac-12) welcome the Washington State Cougars (15-14, 6-10 Pac-12) to the McKale Memorial Center. The game is scheduled to get underway at 10:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 5, 2020.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 140.5 points with Arizona set as a 16-point favorite at William Hill.
Washington State Cougars vs. Arizona Wildcats Free Prediction
The last time the Cougars played, they topped the Washington Huskies, 78-74, as 9-point underdogs. The combined points for the game (152) were over the projected point total of 139. Washington State’s 0.573 effective field goal percentage was their largest advantage over Washington, who had a rate of 0.472. The Cougars’ mark was above their season average of 0.457. With 21 points on 8-for-13 shooting, CJ Elleby was the game’s leading scorer.
The Wildcats lost to the UCLA Bruins in their last outing, 69-64, despite being 2-point favorites. The total points for the game (133) finished just under the projected point total of 135.5. One of UCLA’s biggest advantages was getting to the charity stripe. They had 38 free throw attempts, while Arizona had just 16. With 19 points on 6-for-13 shooting, Nico Mannion was the top scorer from either team.
This is the second game of the season between these two squads. In the first, Stone Gettings scored a game-high 19 points and the Wildcats beat the Cougars 66-49, covering as 8-point favorites at NJ Sportsbooks. He also put up 12 rebounds. The game finished with a total of 115 points, which was 29 points below the projected point total of 144 points. The Wildcats had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (32.6 vs. 12.8) and had a much better turnover percentage (7.5 vs. 13.1).
Washington State comes into the contest with records of 15-14 straight up (SU) and 13-16 against the spread (ATS). A little over half of the Cougars’ games have finished under the O/U total.
Meanwhile, Arizona is 19-10 SU and 15-14 ATS. Games involving the Wildcats also have finished under the projected point total 51.7 percent of the time.
From an effective field goal percentage perspective, Arizona figures to have a noteworthy advantage. The Wildcats defense ranks 28th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.456), while the Washington State offense is ranked 334th in effective field goal percentage (0.460).
Washington State Cougars at Arizona Wildcats Free Pick
Pick: ATS Winner – Arizona, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
On the road, Washington State is 5-8 ATS with 7 overs and 6 unders.
At home, Arizona is 10-6 ATS with 9 overs, 6 unders and 1 push.
Arizona ranks 29th in assists per game (15.2) while Washington State ranks 207th (11.7).
The Wildcats average 37.5 rebounds per game, which ranks 69th in the country. The Cougars rank 224th in rebounds allowed per game (36.9).
Washington State ranks 28th in three pointers allowed per game (17.8) while Arizona ranks 137th (21.3).
The Wildcats average 3.7 blocks per game, which ranks 81st in the NCAA. The Cougars rank 140th in blocks allowed per game (3.6).
Arizona allows the fifth-fewest steals per game (4.4) while Washington State ranks 50th (5.6).
In its last five games, Washington State is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Arizona is 2-3 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over its last five games.
The Cougars have been outscored by an average of 9.0 points in their last five games. On the season, Washington State has defeated opponents by an average of 0.8 points.
During their last five games, the Wildcats have scored an average of 68.4 points per game (8.2 below their season average) and allowed an average of 64.4 points per game (0.7 below their season average).