by Chuck Sommers
Wednesday, Dec 01, 2021
Time: 8:30 p.m. ET
Venue: McKale Center, Tucson, AZ
Where to watch: Pac-12 Network
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: NL
BetMGM: NL
Caesars: NL
Season record
Washington: 4-4
No. 11 Arizona: 6-0
Al McMordie had himself quite the week on the college basketball circuit, going 14-5-0 in what was an eventful seven days in the college game. Catch Al’s and other plays available right now at the Shop Picks page, where you can find all of the Best Bets from our champion sports handicappers.
Washington - Arizona preview and analysis
Recent form
Washington: lost 82-74 vs. Winthrop on Saturday
Arizona: won 105-59 vs. Sacramento State on Saturday
The Arizona Wildcats will look to move to 7-0 when they begin Pac-12 play and host the Washington Huskies on Thursday.
Ranked No. 11 in the country after a rousing start, the Wildcats find themselves on the cusp of a top-10 spot in the rankings. Thanks to the Duke Blue Devils losing on Tuesday, a clean week over the next few days will put Arizona into that stretch.
After an upset victory over the Michigan Wolverines in Las Vegas last week, Arizona has continued that momentum with a 46-point win over the Sacramento State Hornets on Saturday. Azuolas Tubelis led the way with 22 points and six rebounds in just 20 minutes. Christian Koloko added 20 points and seven rebounds in just 15 minutes of work.
"I feel like that's the test of a good team, once you have a big week, come back home, everything feels good and relaxed, you've got to play with more energy because more teams are going to want to beat you," said Arizona's Justin Kier, who had 11 points and four assists. "We want to be a great team. We don't want to be satisfied with what we've done."
Arizona’s offense dominated this game while only taking 17 3-point attempts and shooting 54.3 percent from the floor. The defense also put the clamps on its opponent as they shot only 36.1 percent. As expected, it was a one-sided matchup.
While the Huskies will be coming in as a .500 team, it’s not every day they have a difference-maker in their midst. Washington senior guard Terrell Brown Jr. leads the way averaging almost 22 points per game, but no help outside of that.
Washington is trying to avoid a three-game losing streak after losing consecutive home games to the Nevada Wolfpack and the Winthrop Eagles. Brown had 18 points but on 7 of 16 shooting; backcourt mate Daejon Davis led the Huskies with 21 points and four assists, but Washington shot just 41 percent from the floor while Winthrop shot 48 percent in an 8-point victory.
Prediction
It’s unusual to start conference play in early December and that spells out doom for Washington in this matchup. The Huskies need help outside of their backcourt, and it’s not going to help to try to slow down the 3-5 guys Arizona has that are dominating right now. Arizona by 20
Betting trends
Arizona is 5-1 ATS this season; the lone loss being against Wichita State (-9) in Las Vegas.
Washington is 7-10 ATS as a road dog and 3-14 straight up.
Washington is 1-8 ATS after being outrebounded by 15 or more the previous game.
Arizona is 42-14 in its last 56 games straight up.
Projected starting lineup
Washington:
PG: Terrell Brown Jr.
SG: Daejon Davis
SF: Jamal Bey
PF: Emmitt Matthews Jr.
C: Nate Roberts
SF: Jamal Bey
PF: Emmitt Matthews Jr.
C: Nate Roberts
Arizona:
PG: Kerr Kriisa
SG: Dalen Terry
SF: Bennedict Mathurin
PF: Azuolas Tubelis
C: Christian Koloko
SF: Bennedict Mathurin
PF: Azuolas Tubelis
C: Christian Koloko
Statistical leaders
Washington:
Points: Terrell Brown Jr. -- 21.9
Rebounds: Nate Roberts -- 7.0
Assists: Terrell Brown Jr. -- 4.0
Arizona:
Points: Azuolas Tubelis -- 16.5
Rebounds: Christian Koloko -- 7.5
Assists: Kerr Kriisa -- 5.3
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
