Can Washington St Overtake Arizona Atop Pac-12? Here’s its Chance
Washington State vs Arizona Odds: Cougars 6-1 ATS in Last Seven
Can Washington State overtake Arizona for the lead in the Pac-12 Conference? Not many are giving the Cougars a chance, but they’ll have that opportunity when the teams meet on Thursday (11 p.m. ET) at the McKale Center.
The fourth-ranked Wildcats opened as 10.5-point favorites over the 21st-ranked Cougars with a projected total of 152.
What can bettors expect? Read on as we break down both teams and assess the Washington State vs Arizona betting odds in our college basketball game preview.
Washington State Cougars vs Arizona Wildcats 
Day/Time:
Location: McKale Center; Tucson, AZ
Streaming: FS1
Cougars vs Wildcats Betting Trends
The Washington State Cougars are 14-11-1 ATS, including 4-3-1 away from home. Their games have trended slightly toward the Under, with the Cougars owning a record of 12-13-1 against the Over/Under. Meanwhile, the Arizona Wildcats are 17-8 ATS, including 10-3 at home. Arizona has gone Over the total in six of its last eight games and is 13-11-1 against the Over/Under for the season.
Be sure to remember these trends when assessing the Washington State vs Arizona betting odds.
Wizzou Reaching New Heights
Washington State is back in the AP Top 25 poll, checking in at No. 21 to end a 302-week drought stretching back to the 2007-08 season. The Cougars have won seven straight and 10 of their last 11 NCAAB games to improve to 20-6 (11-4 Pac-12), a half-game behind first-place Arizona.
Washington State is coming off a 72-59 victory over Stanford on Saturday, overcoming a five-point deficit in the second half. The Cougars, 7.5-point favorites, covered for the sixth time in their last seven games.
The 2007-08 season also happens to be the last time Washington State made the NCAA Tournament. That drought will soon end as well, with the Cougars shaping up to be a lock for the Big Dance. With some quality wins, including a 73-70 victory over Arizona on Jan.
13, and solid peripheral men’s college basketball rankings — No. 32 NET and No. 33 KenPom — the Cougars’ resume is sound. ESPN bracketologist Joe Lunardi currently projects them as a No. 8 seed.
Freshman guard Myles Rice (15.9 PPG) is the Cougars’ top scorer, but they have also received solid contributions from Idaho State transfer Isaac Jones. The 6-foot-9 senior is averaging 15.7 points on 58.8% shooting to go with 7.6 rebounds. Altogether, the Cougars have four different double-digit scorers.
Washington State’s real strength is on defense. Ranked 27th in adjusted defensive efficiency, the Cougars allow just 66.5 points per game. They are especially strong at defending the perimeter, where they’re holding NCAAB teams to 32.2% shooting.
This is Washington State’s eighth game this season as an underdog. It’s 4-3 OU and ATS in the previous seven. Keep that in mind when analyzing the Washington State vs Arizona betting odds.
‘Cats Clawing Way to Top
Once again, Arizona looks like a bona fide national championship contender. The Wildcats (20-5, 11-3) have won six straight games and now sit No. 4 in the AP poll.
The Wildcats are coming off a 105-60 rout of rival Arizona State on Saturday in which they shot 57.1% to cover with ease as 18.5-point favorites.
Oddsmakers are understandably bullish on Arizona. In addition to being overwhelming -1000 favorites in the Pac-12, the Wildcats are also +1200 to win the NCAA title. At the moment, only three schools have shorter odds: UConn (+500), Purdue (+700) and Houston (+900).
The Wildcats are 2-2 against teams currently ranked in the Top 25, with victories against No. 8 Duke and No. 13 Alabama. They are also ranked No. 3 in the NET and No. 4 in the KenPom ratings.
Considering that, Lunardi projects them to be a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. With the Final Four slated to be in Phoenix, roughly two hours from campus, the Wildcats could have a favorable road in March.
In North Carolina transfer Caleb Love and 7-foot center Oumar Ballo, Arizona has a one-punch that rivals anyone. The Wildcats are tied with Alabama for the Division I-lead in scoring (90.7) and rank 16th in field goal percentage (49.2).
They have already topped 90 points 13 times and hit 100 on six different occasions, including thrice in conference play. They are also 16th in adjusted tempo, as it’s no secret they like to play at a fast pace.
Thanks to Ballo, who’s averaging 9.8 rebounds, the Wildcats also rank second nationally in rebounding (43.3).
Arizona has been favored in nearly every game this season, except for wins against Duke and Colorado. It is 15-8 ATS when favored, including 10-5 when the spreads hits double digits.
Handicapping the Game
Bettors have been quite fortuitous, backing Arizona. The Wildcats are 17-8 for a cover rate of 68%, which ranks among the best in the country.
That said, they have already lost once to Washington State. In that matchup, the Cougars shot 46.4% from the field while holding the Wildcats to their lowest offensive output of the college basketball season. The Wildcats shot only 34.7%, well under their average rate of 49.2%.
But this matchup is at the McKale Center, where Arizona is unbeaten in 13 tries.
For NCAAB scores and odds, betting analysis and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
