The long rivalry between Arizona and Arizona State has been defined by lengthy streaks – a tradition that still holds true today. The Wildcats have won the last five games against the Sun Devils dating back to the start of the 2016 calendar year while outscoring their in-state rivals by an average of 17.0 points per game. Will Arizona continue to steamroll Arizona State or will the Sun Devils gain redemption Thursday?
- Arizona State’s Tra Holder and Shannon Evans are averaging a combined 43.7 ppg in their last 3 games.
- Arizona State is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games against the Pac-12.
- Arizona is 15-3 SU in its last 18 games on the road.
These two programs have already faced off once this season in their conference Sportsbook matchup. Though Arizona State was resilient and constantly fought back despite large deficits, Arizona proved too much and ultimately won 84-78. The biggest factor in that game was freshman Deandre Ayton, as the soon-to-be lottery pick had 23 points, 19 rebounds and three blocks.
Arizona is not playing its best basketball of the season coming into this game with the team going just 1-2 SU in its past three – all against unranked teams. Defensively, the Wildcats are just not contesting enough perimeter shots, with opponents shooting a combined 44.8 percent from beyond the arc in Arizona’s past three outings. We all know Ayton can switch at the perimeter – allowing the much less mobile Dusan Ristic to patrol the paint – but the backcourt needs to do a better job closing out on their opponents.
Luckily for Arizona, Arizona State does not exactly own a great perimeter offense. The Sun Devils are riding a three-game streak in which they’ve averaged 85.3 points per game but are shooting just 30.3 percent from beyond the arc. Rather, Arizona State is a team built on the driving abilities of the senior backcourt duo of Tra Holder and Shannon Evans. Both Holder and Evans love drawing contact and getting to the line, as they are both sinking over 85 percent of their opportunities from the charity stripe.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The Arizona State Sun Devils were listed at even odds at most sportsbooks tracked by OddsShark earlier in the day. It opened first at Sportsbook, where the OVER/UNDER betting odds total was expected shortly.
Arizona Wildcats vs Arizona State Sun Devils Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
The Arizona State Sun Devils currently sport a 19-6 record overall in NCAA basketball action, and have posted a corresponding betting slate of 12-10-3 ATS. The Arizona Wildcats are 20-6 and 9-16-1 ATS. Betting totals have seen the Sun Devils produce a 13-11-1 OVER/UNDER record on the season, while the Wildcats have gone 15-11 against the totals betting line.
The OddsShark Power Rankings have the Sun Devils at No. 122 and the Wildcats at No. 53 heading into this college basketball betting matchup.
Statistical Matchup
Rating these schools in several key categories is important for handicappers and Arizona State has the nation's No. 12-rated offensive output, at 84.96 PPG. The visiting Arizona defense ranks No. 131 allowing on average 71.96 PPG. The Sun Devils' FG% has averaged 46.86% so far, less than the Wildcats marksmen have achieved on the year, 51.21% per game.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
The Wildcats got 20 points from Rawle Alkins as Arizona ran past USC 81-67 on Saturday at McKale Center.
The Sun Devils grabbed a 88-79 win over the Bruins on Saturday, behind a 23-point effort from Shannon Evans at Wells Fargo Arena-AZ.
- Arizona is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games
- Arizona is 17-3 SU in its last 20 games
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Arizona's last 6 games
- Arizona is 19-5 SU in its last 24 games on the road
- Arizona State is 3-8-2 ATS in its last 13 games
- Arizona State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
- Arizona State is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games at home
- Arizona State is 15-2 SU in its last 17 games at home
Next Betting Matchups
Arizona at Oregon State, Thursday, February 22
Arizona State at Oregon, Thursday, February 22
