The Arizona Wildcats take on the Colorado Buffaloes in Boulder, Colorado, on Saturday, March 7. Tip-off is set for 11 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
Arizona is favored by 13.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -1100. Colorado, meanwhile, enters as a 13.5 underdog and is +680 on the moneyline to pull off the upset. The over/under sits at 156.5 points.
Here are my Arizona vs. Colorado predictions and college basketball picks for Saturday, March 7.
Arizona vs Colorado Prediction
My Pick: Arizona -13.5 (Play to -15.5)
My Arizona vs Colorado best bet is on the Wildcats to cover the spread. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
Arizona vs Colorado Odds, Spread
| Arizona Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-13.5 -105 | 156.5 -110o / -110u | -1100 |
| Colorado Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+13.5 -115 | 156.5 -110o / -110u | +680 |
- Arizona vs Colorado Spread: Arizona -13.5
- Arizona vs Colorado Over/Under: 156.5 points
- Arizona vs Colorado Moneyline: Arizona -1100, Colorado +640
Arizona vs Colorado NCAAB Betting Preview
Arizona Basketball
Arizona has won five straight after its two-game skid, now sitting at 28-2 overall and 15-2 in Big 12 play.
Its offense and defense both took a dive during the two-game losing streak, ranking 48th in offensive efficiency and 44th in defensive efficiency.
Since that blip on the radar, Arizona ranks 19th in offensive efficiency and third in defensive efficiency during its winning streak.
The unsung hero has been Anthony Dell'Orso. In the Wildcats' two losses to Kansas and Texas Tech, Dell'Orso averaged four points per game. During the five-game win streak, he's averaging 13.8 PPG on 39% shooting from deep.
His 11 made 3s over his last five games are the most he has made over a five-game stretch all season.
Throughout this season, Arizona has been an elite defensive team. The 'Cats sit in the 97th percentile in man defense and 100th percentile in transition defense while also boasting a 17.3% turnover rate in transition.
Jaden Bradley sets the tone with his perimeter defense, and the frontcourt uses its length to disrupt every 2-point attempt.
Though he comes off the bench, Tobe Awaka has been the best rim protector in the country, and that's no hyperbole. Offensive players have shot 2-of-16 around the rim when guarded by Awaka, putting him in the 100th percentile.
Colorado Basketball
Colorado started the year strong, winning 12 of its first 15 games, including its first two conference games. However, the Buffaloes have dropped 10 of their last 15 and sit at 17-13 overall and 7-10 in the Big 12.
On the year, the Buffaloes rank 342nd in 3-point defense, 259th in defensive effective field-goal percentage and 244th in defensive turnover rate.
The one thing this team has going for them is that it plays significantly better at home. For reference, it has played Texas Tech twice this season, losing on the road by 34 and losing at home by two.
Isaiah Johnson is what makes this offense go, averaging 16.6 points per game.
In the last three contests, Johnson is averaging 19.6 points per game on 60% shooting. He can score it in a bunch of ways, whether it's his shiftiness off ball screens, quickness in transition or his ability to be a knock-down shooter playing off the ball, where he shoots 45.9% from 3.
After going scoreless against Texas Tech, Bangot Dak has emerged in the last five games, averaging 15.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game. He has done a significantly better job at playing physical on both ends of the floor and has been rewarded by going to the charity stripe more often.
Over the same five-game stretch, he has attempted 27 free throws, knocking down 77% of them. In the previous eight games, he shot a total of six free throws.
Arizona vs Colorado Pick, Betting Analysis
Arizona comes into Boulder rolling, while the Buffaloes have experienced two losses by at least 30 points in their last six games.
Though Dak has come on lately for Colorado, this is literally his biggest test yet. Arizona's physicality down low should cause issues for CU's front court, while Johnson will have to play hero ball.
With Colorado having nothing to play for, it may roll over if Arizona comes out swinging.
The Wildcats are clicking on all cylinders, and that will continue on Saturday night.
My Pick: Arizona -13.5 (Play to -15.5)
