Colorado
vs.
Arizona
College Basketball
Score Prediction
1/23/14
Everyone is waiting for Arizona to lose its first Game, but with the way its remaining Schedule looks, there’s a chance the Wildcats remain undefeated in the regular season. Currently in the Pac-12, Arizona is the only ranked team, but that doesn’t mean everyone else is a walkover. Although, every home Game may be a walkover for them.
More people will be wondering how many points the Wildcats can win by in this one. Colorado is a solid team, but without Spencer Dinwiddie, this just isn’t the same squad. Dinwiddie led the team in scoring and assists until he tore his ACL two Games ago. Even with a 15-4 record at the moment, making it to the Tournament will be no easy task for Colorado. Freshman Jaron Hopkins is taking his spot in the starting lineup and he has totaled 12 points and two assists in the last two Games. Backup Xavier Talton is also getting more cOurt time.
The Buffaloes offense now lies in the hands of Josh SCott (14.3 PPG, 9.1 RPG) and Askia Booker (13.5 PPG). Those are the only two left that average double digits in points. SCott has been great this season and is a guy that is up for the challenge with Dinwiddie gone. He’s attempted 25 shots over the last two Games which is something he hasn’t done all season prior. Booker is a scoring threat as well, but he can also facilitate the ball. However, if either one of these guys has a bad Game, Colorado will lose big. That’s what happened in the Game that Dinwiddie got hurt as Booker scored zero points in a 17-point loss.
As for the Wildcats, they have the look of a championship contender. There’s no reason they can’t make it to a Final Four this year. In fact if they don’t, it would be considered a disappointment. They have great guards, great forwards and a solid bench. There’s not much more this squad needs.
Starting with the stud freshman Aaron Gordon, this isn’t your normal first-year player. He’s smart and unselfish and a complete beast on both ends of the cOurt. Guard Nick Johnson leads the team in scoring with 16.3 points per Game, but any one of their players can lead on a given night. Johnson is getting more looks than he has in the past due to the attention to Gordon down low and transfer T.J. McConnell, who’s averaging 6.2 assists per Game. Then of course you still have the 7-footer, Kaleb Tarczewski, who is a pain to deal with down low and the 6-8 Brandon Ashley, who can hit jumpers on a regular basis. It doesn’t get easier with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Gabe York off the bench, both of whom can Scorewhen needed.
Colorado is at a disadvantage at almost every position in this Game. SCott will have a tough time against the bigs of ‘Zona and Booker will likely draw the feisty Johnson. Even with Dinwiddie in the lineup, the Buffs already had trouble in previous road Games. Now without their best player, this came could be over in the first half if Colorado can’t hit some shots.
Despite being a Top 5 team all season long, the Wildcats are still 13-4 ATS this year, which just shows how good they are.
Our Model’s Prediction – Arizona 78 Colorado 60