Washington State Cougars at Arizona Wildcats Betting Odds

Opening Line: Washington State +8.5 / Arizona -8.5 Over/Under: 141.5

Time: 8:30 PM EST Thursday February 17, 2011 on FSN

Arizona escaped Washington State with a 2-point win on January 22nd and they can stay in first place in the Pac 10 with a win tonight. On the other side of the coin WSU is in 4th place in the Pac 10 and they are on the bubble for the Big Dance and a win over a ranked team on the road will greatly improve their NCAA tourney resume. However, that will not be easy against a Wildcats’ squad that has won 6 straight games and has not lost at home this season.

In their last games Washington State beat California 75-71 on Saturday and Arizona beat state rival Arizona State 67-52 on Sunday.

Both teams have been solid ones to bet on this season with WSU at 13-9-1 ATS and Arizona is at 14-8-1 ATS. Washington State is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games in Arizona and in the last 6 games between these 2 teams in Arizona the total has gone Over every time.

The Wildcats did beat the Cougars at WSU earlier in the season, but betting on them giving 8.5 points is a tough call with the close game between the 2 teams earlier this season.

Arizona beat WSU in their house last month even though they only shot 36.8% from the field and committed 16 turnovers, but they did out-rebound the Cougars in the game and hit 11/18 of their 3-point shots. Arizona’s leading scorer Derrick Williams (19.2 ppg) was only 4/13 from the floor in the game, but he did have 19 boards. The Cougars need to keep him in check tonight, as if he dominates the glass again they are in trouble.

For Washington State to pull off the upset they will need a great game from the backcourt G duo of Klay Thompson (20.6 ppg) and Faisal Aden (13.6 ppg). Thomson has struggled lately only averaging 11.5 ppg on 35.6% shooting in his last 4 games. They will also need a good game from F DeAngelo Casto (11.2 ppg 6.4 rpg) and he especially has to keep Williams (8 rpg) off the glass. Casto is averaging 17.3 ppg, 8.3 rpg and 2.7 blocks in his last 3 games facing Arizona.

Washington State had 5 players score in double figures in their last win over California. The Cougars’ defense ranks 95th in the nation in opponents’ points per game and they must play good D in the paint, as Arizona’s frontcourt is solid.

Something has got to give in this game, as WSU is giving up the fewest points per game on the road (68 ppg) while Arizona is averaging 79.4 ppg at home.

Betting Trends

WSU is 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss, 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as an underdog of 7.0-12.5, and has an Under record of 4-1 in their last 5 road games.

Arizona is 2-5 ATS in their last 7 home games, 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a favorite, and has an Over record of 4-1 in their last 5 home games.

Our Selection :Sure the Wildcats are 14-0 at home and have outscored their opponents by 18.3 points per game at home. However the Cougars have owned this series of late winning 3 out of the last 4 with their only loss being by 2 points.
Take Washington State +8.5 at Bodog.