The No. 1 seed Arizona Wildcats face No. 9 Utah Tech with a Sweet 16 berth on the line. If Arizona wins this game, it will be its third consecutive Sweet 16 appearance. Utah State is 3-1 against Arizona in their all-time series, but all three of the Aggies’ wins against the Wildcats came from 1958 to 1963. Arizona won the last matchup between the two teams in 2005.
On DraftKings Sportsbook, Arizona is a -11.5-point favorite with Utah State being a +550 underdog outright. Check out my best bet for today’s Arizona-Utah State Round of 32 contest below.
Utah State vs. Arizona (7:50 p.m. ET)
Arizona dominated Long Island in their first-round contest by 34 points, and it was an all-around performance. Brayden Burries scored 18 points and was one of four Wildcats in double figures against Long Island. When Arizona’s offense and defense are clicking as they are, they are as difficult as anyone in the country.
No. 9 Utah State beat No. 8 Villanova 86-76 in the first round. Utah State enters this game on a five-game winning streak. Mason Falslev and MJ Collins Jr. both scored 20-plus points against Villanova.
Overall, Arizona averages over three more points per game while allowing two fewer to opponet then Utah State does. Arizona is No. 2 on KenPom with the third-best defensive rating and fifth-highest offensive rating. Meanwhile, Utah State is No. 29 with the 27th offensive rating and 43rd defensive rating.
Arizona has won 21 of its 33 games this season by at least 12 points. This season, the Wildcats have taken their dominance to the next level against lower-level competition. This is Utah State’s first time playing a top-25 opponent this season. Three of Utah State’s six losses this season have been by more than 11.5 points. The Aggies have an excellent one-two punch with Collins and Falslev, but lack the depth to keep up with the Wildcats.
