Oakland Golden Grizzlies at Arizona Wildcats
McKale Center – Tucson, Arizona
Tuesday, December 20, 2011, 8:00 pm Eastern, TV: Fox Arizona
Opening Line: Arizona -10
Current Line: Arizona -9
Opening Total: 153
Current Total: 154 1/2
Opening Money Line: Arizona -565 / Oakland +450
Current Money Line: Arizona -500 / Oakland +405
The 8-4 Oakland Golden Grizzlies travel west to to take on the 7-4 Arizona Wildcats Tuesday night. Oakland is coached by Greg Kampe, and has losses at Alabama and Arkansas and home losses to Ohio and Michigan. Oakland has wins over Houston, Tennessee and Valparaiso Saturday. Arizona is coached by Sean Miller. The Wildcats have losses to Mississippi St, San Diego St, Florida and Gonzaga Saturday. All losses were by 11 points or less to likely NCAA tournament teams. Arizona has wins over Valparaiso, St. John’s and Clemson. This is the first ever meeting between Oakland and Arizona.
Oakland is outscoring opponents 80-77 this season. The Golden Grizzlies are shooting 43.8% from the field including 30.8% from 3 point range. Oakland makes 75.7% from the free throw line. The Grizzlies average 37.2 rebounds a game with a rebounding margin of +1.1. Oakland averages 13.1 assists, 13.1 turnovers, 7.4 steals, and 1.8 blocks a game. Oakland opponents are shooting 46.6% from the field, including 34.8% from 3 point range. Oakland forces 15.5 turnovers a game.
Oakland guard Reggie Hamilton averages 22 points, 3.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 2.3 steals a game. He leads the team in scoring, assists, and steals. He is the nation’s sixth leading scorer. Travis Bader averages 13.3 points, 3.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1 steal a game. Drew Valentine averages 13 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.4 steals a game. Laval Lucas-Perry averages 12.3 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.2 steals a game. Corey Petros averages 11.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 0.6 blocks a game. He leads the team in rebounding and blocks.
Arizona is outscoring opponents 67-63 this season. The Wildcats are shooting 43.5% from the field including 35.4% from 3 point range. Arizona makes 71.1% of their free throws. The Wildcats average 35.1 rebounds and have a rebounding margin of +0.2. Arizona averages 13.1 assists, 12.5 turnovers, 3.2 blocks, and 4.8 steals a game. Wildcat opponents are shooting 40.4% from the field including 26.8% from 3 point range. Arizona forces 10.3 turnovers a game.
Arizona guard Kyle Fogg averages 11.7 points to lead the team, 3 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1 steal a game to lead the team. He shoots 45.2% on 3 pointers. Forward Solomon Hill averages 11.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.4 assists a game to lead the team. Jesse Perry averages 10.9 points, 7.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 0.8 blocks a game. He leads the team in rebounds and blocks. Nick Johnson averages 10.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists a game.
Arizona is 4-7 against the spread and the total is 5-6 this season. Oakland is 3-2 ATS and the total is 3-1 this season. The Golden Grizzlies are 8-1-1 ATS in Tuesday games, 7-1 against teams with winning records, 5-1 as a road underdog of 7-12.5 points, 10-2 overall, 21-5 after a cover, 22-7-1 in road games against teams with winning home records, 24-8 after a win, 9-3 as an underdog, 26-9-2 in road games, 11-4 in non-conference games, 8-3 as a road underdog. The Wildcats are 4-0 ATS in Tuesday games, 7-3 against teams with winning records, 7-15 after failing to cover, 2-6 as a favorite of 7-12.5 points, including 2-5 at home, 5-16 as a home favorite, 2-11 as a favorite, 1-7 at home.
After 2 season opening blowout losses to Alabama and Arkansas on the road, Oakland has been playing a lot better. They averaged 62.5 points a game in those two losses, but are averaging more than 80 points a since then. The Golden Grizzlies won’t be intimidated playing at Arizona and I think Oakland can keep it close. I do see a lot of points being scored in this game as Oakland is great on offense but horrible on defense.
