Arizona Wildcats vs Gonzaga Bulldogs
Key Arena – Seattle, Washington
Saturday, December 17, 2011, 4:00 pm Eastern, TV: CBS
Opening Line: Gonzaga -5
Current Line: Gonzaga -4
Opening Total: 138
Current Total: 137
Opening Money Line: Gonzaga -170 / Arizona +150
Current Money Line: Gonzaga -170 / Arizona +150
The 7-3 Arizona Wildcats take on the 6-2 Gonzaga Bulldogs in Seattle Saturday. Both teams were ranked in the top 25 at one point this season, but several losses dropped them out of the polls. Arizona is coached by Sean Miller. The Wildcats have wins over St. John’s, and last Saturday against Clemson. Arizona has losses to Mississippi St, San Diego St and Florida. Gonzaga is coached by Mark Few. The Bulldogs beat Oral Roberts Thursday night to snap a two game losing streak. Gonzaga lost to Illinois and Michigan St, both of the Big Ten. The Bulldogs have additional wins over Washington St and Notre Dame. Arizona leads the series 3-0 against Gonzaga, including a 69-64 win in Phoenix in 2008. This is the third time Gonzaga and Arizona will play at a neutral site.
Arizona is outscoring opponents 68-63 this season. The Wildcats are shooting 43.8% from the field including 35.9% from 3 point range. Arizona makes 70.4% of their free throws. The Wildcats average 36 rebounds and have a rebounding margin of +1.6. Arizona averages 13.2 turnovers, 12.9 turnovers, 3.4 blocks, and 5.4 steals a game. Wildcat opponents are shooting 40.2% from the field including 28% from 3 point range. Arizona forces 11.7 turnovers a game.
Arizona forward Solomon Hill averages 11.7 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 3.4 assists. He leads the team in scoring and assists. Kyle Fogg averages 11.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1 steal a game to lead the team. He shoots 44.7% on 3 pointers. Jesse Perry averages 11.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 0.8 blocks a game. He leads the team in rebounds and blocks. Nick Johnson averages 10.5 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.2 assists a game.
Gonzaga is outscoring opponents 75-67 this season. The Bulldogs are shooting 45.2% from the field including 39.4% from 3 point range. Gonzaga is shooting 71.2% from the free throw line. The Bulldogs average 36.5 rebounds a game, and has a rebounding margin of +5.2. Gonzaga averages 13.8 assists, 14.6 turnovers, 7.8 steals, and 3 blocks a games. Gonzaga opponents are shooting 43.8% from the field, including 38.2% from 3 point range. Gonzaga forces 15.8 turnovers a game.
Gonzaga Center Robert Sacre is averaging 15.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.3 blocks a game to lead the team. Kevin Pangos is averaging 13.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, 3.1 assists to lead the team, and 1.1 steals a game. Elias Harris averages 12 points, 8.4 rebounds to lead the team, 1 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.9 blocks a game. Gary Bell scores 8.8 points a game. David Stockton is the son of Gonzaga legend and NBA Hall-Of-Famer John Stockton, and averages 7.6 points, 2.6 assists, and 1.3 steals a game. Marquise Carter averages 6.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.8 steals a game to lead the team.
Gonzaga is 3-5 against the spread and the total is 3-4-1 this season. Arizona is 4-6 ATS and the total is 5-5 this seas0n. The Wildcats are 7-0 ATS as an underdog, 4-0 after allowing less than 50 points, 5-0 as a neutral site underdog, and as an underdog of 6.5 points or less, 7-2 against teams with winning records, 5-2 in neutral site games, and 13-6-1 following a cover. The Bulldogs are 4-1 ATS in neutral site games, 4-11 as a favorite of 6.5 points or less, and 0-4 against Pac 10/12 teams.
Both these teams are pretty deep, but don’t have a lot of size outside of Gonzaga center Robert Sacre. Both teams are comfortable playing in the high 60’s or low 70’s. This should be a very close game as the two teams are evenly matched. I like Arizona to pull off the mild upset in a close game.
