The No. 1 Arizona Wildcats hit the road tonight in Pac 12 college basketball action when they play the Stanford Cardinal. The game is scheduled for a 9 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on ESPN2. Currently the odds for the game have Arizona as a slight road favorite in this game.
Arizona has been the model of consistency this season in college basketball, going 20-0 overall and winning all seven conference games. They dealt No. 10 Michigan their only loss at the Crisler Center this season, but they've only played four games overall on the road. They've established themselves as the best overall team in the country and now will look to continue that by beating a pretty solid Stanford team on the road.
Stanford actually averages two more points per game than Arizona does. The difference in the two teams has been the defensive dominance by the Wildcats, who allow just 56.7 points per game this year. The Wildcats have length and athleticism, both key components to winning in college and especially in the Pac 12.
Arizona already owns victories over San Diego State, Duke, UCLA and Michigan. Their 20-0 start is the best in school history and the lone time the Wildcats have strung together 20 consecutive victories. They've beaten Stanford seven straight games overall.
Opponents shoot just 40 percent from inside the 3-point line against Arizona, second best in the country. Their 56.7 points per game allowed this season are fourth best in the nation. This is the first time these teams will meet on the floor this season. Nick Johnson has been the best overall player for the Wildcats this season, leading the team in points at just under 17 per game. T.J. McConnell has been one of the best point guards in the country as well, handing out six assists per game and swiping two steals per contest. Both Aaron Gordon and Brandon Ashley average in double figures for Arizona as well this season.
Gordon, of course, is the freshman phenom. He leads the team at just under eight rebounds per game. Arizona holds a rebounding edge on average and that will be a crucial part to tonight's game.
Stanford will need a big game from Chasson Randle, who averages 19.1 points per game. Dwight Powell and Anthony Brown also will look to attack the glass for the Cardinal. If Stanford can get three solid games from each of them, the Cardinal should be able to hang around in this game.
But Arizona is just too good. We like them to get this road win and keep on pushing themselves to the Pac 12 title.
Free Pick: Arizona 71, Stanford 62
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