Arizona vs. Oregon State Odds
| Arizona Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-11 -110 | 142.5 -110o / -110u | N/A |
| Oregon State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+11 -110 | 142.5 -110o / -110u | N/A |
Hopes were high for Oregon State after finishing last season as one of the hottest teams in the nation. The Beavers ended the regular season with a 10-10 record before winning the Pac-12 tournament and making it to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament.
Those hopes have transitioned to a nightmare start for Oregon State who has opened the young season 1-7, losing its last seven games straight. Four of those losses come to opponents that rank outside the top 100, including 242nd-ranked Samford. The Beavers lost its opening conference game 63-71 to Cal last time out and will need to make some quick adjustments if they want to stay competitive against Arizona.
The Wildcats have looked dominant thus far, opening the season 6-0 while averaging 92 points per game. They needed overtime to defeat Wichita State but dominated Michigan 80-62 in Las Vegas.
Oregon State’s season is spiraling out of control, and this is not an ideal time to welcome in Arizona
Arizona Wildcats
Head coach Tommy Lloyd takes over the helm after spending the last 20 seasons under Mark Few. So far he has instituted a more up-style tempo as the Wildcats rank fourth in the nation in average possession length on offense. That fast pace of play has led Arizona to the highest-scoring offense in the nation, averaging 91.5 points per game.
The Wildcats have seen a well balanced stat sheet to date with four European underclassmen averaging double digits. Azuolas Tubelis leads the team with 16.5 points and 6.5 rebounds. 7-foot-1 Christian Koloko is a weapon at center averaging 16.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and he has accumulated 21 blocks through six games.
As good as Arizona’s offense has been, the defense is even better. It owns the 15th-best defensive efficiency ranking according to Kenpom. Lloyd’s squad ranks first in the nation in defensive field goal percentage (37%) and two-point percentage (36%). Only two of the Wildcats' six opponents have surpassed 60 points scoring. That is a recipe for disaster for Oregon State who has struggled offensively all season.
Oregon State Beavers
There aren’t many positives to highlight for Oregon State who has lost seven contests in a row. The offense has averaged 65 points per game (294th), and the defense has allowed 70 points per game (217th).
Senior forward Alatishe Warith is the sole player on the roster who is averaging double-digit scoring (12.1 ppg). Jarod Lucas has converted on 15-of-44 three-point attempts and is the only outside shooting threat on the roster. The Beavers have connected on 29% of their shots behind the arc which ranks 285th in the nation. Scoring inside the paint won’t be easy against the tall-and-long roster of Arizona.
Defensively, Oregon State ranks outside the top 140 in defensive efficiency according to Kenpom. The group has allowed opponents to hit 51.6% of its field goal attempts inside the arc. The Wildcats have thrived at scoring the basketball inside the paint and should have another field day in this matchup.
Arizona vs. Oregon State Betting Pick
Oregon State has been robbing bettors all season after opening 1-6 against the spread. I anticipate that trend to continue Sunday as this is a horrible matchup for it.
Arizona’s roster that is long and athletic presents mismatches all over the court against Oregon State. Defensively the Wildcats have dominated opponents inside the paint behind Christian Koloko protecting the rim. Oregon State will need to hit its outside shots to stay competitive, but it has been one of the worst teams in the country in terms of outside shooting.
If Oregon State elects to stick with its matchup zone, Arizona has shown incredible ability to share the basketball. Through their first six games, the Wildcats have an assist on 74% of their made field goals, which ranks first in the nation.
I anticipate a blowout in what is one of the worst times for Oregon State to welcome in Arizona.
