The No. 3 Arizona Wildcats (2-0) welcome the Bakersfield Roadrunners (1-1) in a matchup that pits sensational offense against stifling defense. The games Over/Under (O/U) opened at 141.5 points with Arizona set as a 25-point favorite. Action starts at 10 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 16, 2017, and it can be seen on Pac-12 Network.
Bakersfield Roadrunners vs. Arizona Wildcats Free Preview
In the Roadrunners last game, they were blown out by the Georgia Southern Eagles, 77-53. Bakersfields Damiyne Durham recorded 12 points and six rebounds in the contest. Georgia Southern had a much better free throw rate (0.316 vs. 0.132). Bakersfield, meanwhile, had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (40.5 vs. 34.2).
The Wildcats hope to keep it rolling after blowing out the UMBC Retrievers in their last outing, 103-78. Arizonas Deandre Ayton played a pivotal role with 19 points and 13 rebounds. The Wildcats had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (34.6 vs. 17.9) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.727 vs. 0.532).
This matchup pits one of the NCAAs top offenses against one of its elite defenses. Since the 2016-17 season, Arizona ranks 12th in offensive efficiency and Bakersfield ranks third in defensive efficiency. Moreover, the Roadrunners rank 33rd in offensive rebounding percentage (34.7 percent), while the Wildcats rank 51st in defensive rebounding percentage (74.1 percent).
The Roadrunners have had records of 23-10 straight up (SU) and 5-5 against the spread (ATS) since last season. Bakersfield games have had a tendency to go over the projected point total since last season (70.0 percent).
The Wildcats, on the other hand, have records of 32-4 SU and 21-17-1 ATS since last season. Arizonas games have gone over the O/U total 48.7 percent of the time over that same period.
The Wildcats won the lone contest against the Roadrunners last season, 78-66. The Wildcats played a perfect game. They had an absurd free throw rate of 0.600 and a superb effective field goal percentage of 0.567. For those same stats, the Roadrunners had marks of 0.121 and 0.509, respectively.
Bakersfield Roadrunners vs. Arizona Wildcats Odds Prediction
Predictions: SU Winner – Arizona, ATS Winner – Bakersfield, O/U – Over
Betting Notes (2016-Present):
- The Roadrunners rank 245th in three pointers attempted per game (18.9) while the Wildcats rank 298th (17.1).
- Bakersfield ranks 18th in steals per game (8.1) while Arizona ranks 220th (5.5).
- The Wildcats rank fourth in rebounds allowed per game (29.6) while the Roadrunners rank 161st (35.1).
- Bakersfield ranks 27th in assists allowed per game (11.1) while Arizona ranks 126th (12.8).
