Utah Tech vs Abilene Christian Wildcats Predictions January 25, 2024
The Pac-12 conference is well into what could potentially be their last season, and the upcoming match between the #9 Arizona Wildcats and the Oregon State Beavers is set to
Game outlook
The Pac-12 conference is well into what could potentially be their last season, and the upcoming match between the #9 Arizona Wildcats and the Oregon State Beavers is set to take place on Thursday night. Arizona, with a record of 14-4 and 5-2 in the Pac-12, recently emerged victorious with a 77-71 home win against UCLA. However, they did not meet the 17.5-point spread as favorites. On the other hand, Oregon State suffered a crushing defeat on the road against Colorado, losing 90-57 and failing to cover the 17.5-point spread. Last season, Arizona came out on top in both matchups against Oregon State. The game is set to kick off at 11:00 EST in Corvallis, Oregon at Gill Coliseum and will be broadcasted on the Pac-12 Network. Currently, Abilene Christian is the favored team with the initial line set at -5.5, but it has since moved to Abilene Christian -6.
Betting Odds
Moneyline: +217 | Wildcats -267
Spread: +6 (-110) | Wildcats -6 (-110)
Total: Over/Under 147 (-110)
Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Abilene Christian will win straight-up is 73%.
Utah Tech
Arizona currently shares the top spot in the Pac-12 standings with Oregon and Arizona State, all three teams boasting a 5-2 league record. Despite already having two losses, the team still has a strong chance to win the regular season title. Their latest victories were led by standout guard Pelle Larsson, who scored 22 points in their win over UCLA. The team has talent across all positions, with UNC-transfer Caleb Love as their top scorer, averaging 18.2 points per game. Their big man, Oumar Ballo, dominates the inside with 12.7 points and 9.2 rebounds per game. Keshad Johnson adds athleticism and finishing ability as a power forward, while Kylan Boswell runs the point with 10.1 points and 3.8 assists per game. Despite being ranked 9th in the AP Poll, Arizona is currently ranked 3rd overall in KenPom, with high rankings in offensive and defensive efficiency. They play at a fast pace, ranking 12th in tempo. Projections have them as a 2-seed in the upcoming NCAA Tournament. The team has no significant injuries impacting their depth chart. On the other hand, Utah Tech ranks 332nd in power rankings and has a 7-11 record this season. Offensively, they score an average of 69.76 points per game and shoot 43.89% from the field, 35.58% from three-point range, and 65.01% from the free-throw line. They average 34.53 rebounds, 12.94 offensive assists, and 15.59 turnovers per game. Defensively, they allow an average of 75.47 points per game and their opponents shoot 42.73% from the field, 32.99% from beyond the arc, and 70.20% from the free-throw line. They average 37.65 defensive rebounds, 12.76 defensive assists, and 13.94 turnovers per game. For the lead... @caleb2love 📺 ESPN2 #BearDown pic.twitter.com/rdAnWUjips