The TCU Horned Frogs take on the Arizona Wildcats in Tucson, AZ. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
Arizona is favored by 14.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -1050. The total is set at 146.5 points.
Here are my TCU vs. Arizona predictions and college basketball picks for December 30, 2024.
TCU vs Arizona Prediction
My Pick: Arizona -13.5 (Play to -15)
My TCU vs Arizona best bet is on the Wildcats spread, with the best odds currently available at FanDuel. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
TCU vs Arizona Odds
| TCU Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+14.5 -112 | 146.5 -108 / -112 | +675 |
| Arizona Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-14.5 -108 | 146.5 -108 / -112 | -1050 |
- TCU vs Arizona spread: Arizona -14.5
- TCU vs Arizona over/under: 146.5 points
- TCU vs Arizona moneyline: Arizona -1050, TCU +675
- TCU vs Arizona best bet: Arizona -13.5 (Play to -15)
Spread
I'm taking the Cats on the spread up to 15.
Moneyline
There is zero value on the moneyline.
Over/Under
I'm avoiding the total.
My Pick: Arizona -13.5 (Play to -15)
TCU vs Arizona College Basketball Betting Preview
Arizona's main issue this season has been its lacking defense. The Wildcats allowed Wisconsin to score 103 points in their first defeat of the season, and in five games against power-conference opponents, Tommy Lloyd's team is giving up 78.8 points.
TCU is not exactly well equipped to take advantage offensively, as the Horned Frogs lost Frankie Collins (their leading scorer) for the season and are averaging less than 70 points a night.
How TCU wants to win games is focused on defense and rebounding.
That would consist of controlling the pace on the road, which means slowing down an Arizona team that loves to run with its athletes and is 42nd in the country in adjusted tempo.
UCLA was able to do just that in a win over Arizona, 57-54, on December 14. However, the Bruins have much more talent than the Horned Frogs and that wasn't a true road game (they played at the Footprint Center in Phoenix).
While this spread may seem large at first glance, the Wildcats' ability to score in bunches can easily allow them to create separation.
It also helps that Caleb Love has seemed to turn the corner offensively. The former UNC talent began the season in a rather inefficient manner, but he has since rebounded to score 37 points on 55% shooting in the last two games.
Give me the Cats by double digits.
