Oregon Ducks at Arizona Wildcats
McKale Center – Tucson, Arizona
Saturday, January 14, 2012, 3:30 pm Eastern, TV: CBS
Opening Line: Arizona -9
Current Line: Arizona -8 1/2
Opening Total: 132
Current Total: 132 1/2
Opening Money Line: Arizona -400 / Oregon +330
Current Money Line: Arizona -400 / Oregon +330
The newly formed Pac 12 Conference is wide open this year, with 6 teams within a game of first place early in the conference slate. The Oregon Ducks and Arizona Wildcats are both included in that logjam of teams. Both teams are 12-5 this season as they meet in Tucson Saturday. The Ducks are 3-2 in conference, a game behind first place Stanford and Cal. Oregon won at Arizona St Thursday 67-58. Arizona is 3-1 in conference, a half game out of first. The Wildcats beat Oregon St Thursday 81-73 in overtime. The game was marred by a brief scuffle in overtime, with several players being ejected for leaving the bench. The Pac 12 said Friday there would be no suspensions as a result of the incident. Arizona is 45-23 all-time against Oregon, and has won the last 6 games against the Ducks.
Oregon is coached by Dana Altman. The Ducks have losses to Vanderbilt, BYU, Virginia, Washington, and Cal. Oregon has wins over Nebraska, UTEP, Fresno St, Washington St, and Stanford in addition to the ASU win.
Arizona is coached by Sean Miller. The Wildcats have wins over Valparaiso, Duquesne, Ball St, St, Johns, New Mexico St, Clemson, Oakland, Arizona St, and USC in addition to the Oregon St win. Arizona has losses to Mississippi St, San Diego St, Florida, Gonzaga, and UCLA, all likely NCAA tournament teams.
Oregon is outscoring opponents 70-67 this season. The Ducks are shooting 45.3% from the field, including 35.8% from 3 point range. Oregon makes 68.1% of their free throws. The Ducks average 33.7 rebounds a game, and have a rebounding margin of 0. Oregon averages 13.5 assists, 13.5 turnovers, 5.9 steals, and 3.6 blocks a game. Duck opponents are shooting 42.8% from the field, including 34.2% from 3 point range. The Ducks force 12.7 turnovers a game.
Oregon guard Devoe Joseph, a transfer from Minnesota, averages 15.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.5 steals a game. He is shooting 43.3% from 3 point range. He leads the team in scoring and steals. E.J. Singler averages 12.6 points, 5.2 rebounds to lead the team, and 2assists a game. Garrett Sim averages 11.9 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.1 steals a game. He is shooting 47% from 3 point range. Olu Ashaolu averages 8.1 points and 5 rebounds a game to lead the team. Tony Woods averages 7points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks a game to lead the team. Johnathan Loyd averages 3.5 assists to lead the team and 1.2 steals a game. He makes 37% of his three point shots. He is probable with a knee injury Saturday.
Arizona is outscoring opponents 70-63 this season. The Wildcats are shooting 44.6% from the field including 36.9% from 3 point range. Arizona makes 71.5% of their free throws. The Wildcats average 35.9 rebounds and have a rebounding margin of +2.2. Arizona averages 14.1 assists, 13.1 turnovers, 3 blocks, and 5.8 steals a game. Wildcat opponents are shooting 40% from the field including 26.5% from 3 point range. The Wildcats are #7 in opponents’s 3 point percentage. Arizona forces 11.8 turnovers a game.
Arizona forward Jesse Perry averages 12 points, 7.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 0.6 blocks a game. He leads the team in scoring and is tied fro the team lead in blocks. Guard Kyle Fogg averages 11.9 points, 2.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1 steal a game. He shoots 43.7% on 3 pointers. Forward Solomon Hill averages 11.8 points, 8.2 rebounds to lead the team, and 3.1 assists a game to lead the team. Nick Johnson averages 10 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 2.5 assists a game. He is shooting 36.2% from beyond the arc. Josiah Turner leads the Wildcats in steals with 1.1 a game.
Arizona is 8-8 against the spread and the total is 7-9 this season. Oregon is 5-9 ATS and the total is also 5-9 this season. Arizona is 5-1 ATS recently against Oregon. The Ducks are 3-7 ATS as an underdog, and overall, 2-5 against teams with winning records, 1-4 in Saturday games, 1-5 after a cover, and 1-6 after a straight up win. The Wildcats are 5-0 ATS as a favorite, 4-0 at home, and as a home favorite, 5-1 against Pac 12 teams and against teams with winning records, and 4-1 overall.
Both of these teams have been inconsistent this year, as have most teams in the Pac 12. It makes it difficult to handicap, but Arizona is always tough at home. I like the Wildcats to pull away late to get the cover.
