Arizona (11-3) at Oregon (12-3)
When: Thursday, January 9th, 2020
Where: Matthew Knight Arena,
Eugene, Oregon
Time: 9:00 ET | TV: ESPN
Opening Odds: Oregon -3.5/144.5
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Road games are tough in conference play and the Oregon Ducks saw first-hand last week how tough it really is. The Ducks will play their Pac-12 home opener on Thursday when they host the Arizona Wildcats. Oregon went on the road last week and dropped their conference opener 74-65 at Colorado before bouncing back to fend off Utah 69-64. Ten of the Pac-12 schools are within a half-game of first place early-on but each game is important, as neither team wants to fall behind. Arizona has felt comfortable all season, playing only one true road game and their last game outside of the state was back on Dec. 7 when they lost 63-58 to now-No. 4 Baylor. The Wildcats cruised to a 75-47 win in their conference opener at home against rival Arizona State last week and are one of only two undefeated teams left in Pac-12 play (Stanford). Arizona is 0-5 ATS in their five games away from home – including neutral-site contests. The Wildcats hold a 51-32 lead in the all-time series, but Oregon has won the last three including an easy 73-47 win in Eugene on March 2nd of last season.
The Wildcats were held to a season-low 67 points in a loss to St. John’s in San Francisco on Dec. 21 before beating the Sun Devils last week, snapping a two-game skid. Arizona ranks eighth in the country in scoring offense (83.1) and 10th in field goal percentage (49.1). The Wildcats have a great young class led by forward Zeke Nnaji, who leads the team in both scoring (16.6) and rebounding (8.1). The backcourt is one of the best in the conference with point guard Nico Mannion (14.3 points) and Josh Green (13.0), who have helped the team shoot 37.0 percent from beyond the arc this season. Mannion also leads the Pac-12 in assists (6.29) and assist/turnover ratio (2.51). Arizona heads over to Corvallis on Sunday to take on the Oregon State Beavers.
Senior point guard Payton Pritchard will start his 125th consecutive game on Thursday and needs 18 rebounds and 24 assists to become the first player in Pac-12 history with 1,500 career points, 500 career rebounds and 600 career assists. Pritchard leads the team in scoring at 18.7 and assists with 5.9 and his chasing down the school record in assists. Junior guard Chris Duarte is second in scoring (12.3) while sophomore guard Will Richardson (10.4) also is averaging in double figures while shooting 54.5 percent from 3-point range. The Ducks are the seventh-best 3-point shooting team in the country at 39.9 percent, but shoot only 67.7 percent from the free-throw line. Oregon will host Arizona State on Saturday.
Arizona hasn’t played well on the road this season and this is only their second true road game. The Ducks currently have a handle on this series, winning three straight including an easy triumph here last season. The Wildcats are 1-8 ATS in their last nine road contests. Oregon should be able to cover this number easily.
Pick: Oregon -3
Wildcats are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 road games following three or more consecutive home games.
Wildcats are 16-7 ATS in their last 23 games after allowing less than 50 points in their previous game.
Wildcats are 18-39-2 ATS in their last 59 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Wildcats are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 Thursday games.
Wildcats are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games as a favorite.
Wildcats are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games overall.
Wildcats are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Wildcats are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Wildcats are 1-8 ATS in their last 9 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Wildcats are 1-8 ATS in their last 9 road games.
Wildcats are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games following a straight up win.
Ducks are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Ducks are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games as a home underdog.
Ducks are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.
Ducks are 22-4 ATS in their last 26 games overall.
Ducks are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games as an underdog.
Ducks are 22-5 ATS in their last 27 games following a straight up win.
Ducks are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Thursday games.
Ducks are 20-6 ATS in their last 26 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Ducks are 19-7 ATS in their last 26 games following a ATS win.
Ducks are 19-7 ATS in their last 26 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Ducks are 25-10 ATS in their last 35 home games.
Over is 5-1 in Wildcats last 6 games as a road favorite.
Over is 9-2 in Wildcats last 11 games after allowing less than 50 points in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Wildcats last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Under is 9-3 in Wildcats last 12 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points.
Over is 6-2 in Wildcats last 8 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Over is 8-3 in Wildcats last 11 road games following three or more consecutive home games.
Over is 6-1-1 in Ducks last 8 games following a ATS win.
Over is 6-1-1 in Ducks last 8 games following a straight up win.
Over is 6-1-1 in Ducks last 8 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Over is 8-2-1 in Ducks last 11 overall.
Over is 4-1 in Ducks last 5 games as an underdog.
Over is 4-1 in Ducks last 5 games as a home underdog.
Over is 4-1 in Ducks last 5 home games.
Over is 6-2 in Ducks last 8 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Under is 8-3 in Ducks last 11 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
Under is 36-16 in Ducks last 52 Thursday games.
