California vs Arizona Basketball Predictions and Preview

Two Pac-12 heavyweights lock horns this Thursday night, as the No. 18 Arizona Wildcats welcome the streaking No. 25 California Golden Bears into the McKale Center for their second-to-the-last game this season. Both programs still have a legitimate chance of capturing the regular-season title, which makes this match even more interesting and crucial.

Read on below for a comprehensive look at this colossal showdown. And while you’re at it, check out our other previews: Iowa State vs. Kansas and Oklahoma vs. TCU.

California Golden Bears vs. Arizona Wildcats Preview

Where: McKale Center, Tucson, Arizona

When: Thursday, March 3, 2016, 9:00 PM ET

Line: California Golden Bears (+6) vs. Arizona Wildcats (-6) – view all NCAA Basketball lines

TV Broadcast: ESP3

Betting on the California Golden Bears (21-8, 11-5 Pac-12)

The No. 25 California Golden Bears are heating up at the right time. They’ve won nine of their previous 11 games and are currently riding on a season-high seven-game winning streak. Their most recent victory came versus USC on Sunday, during which Jaylen Brown and Ivan Rabb scored 18 points apiece to give California its first undefeated season at home (18-0) in 56 years.

However, the season is still not over for Brown and co. as they still have two road games left on their schedule, including a date with their conference rival Arizona Wildcats tonight. California is 3-7 SU and 4-6 ATS in their last 10 games away from Haas Pavilion.

As always, expect Brown to handle most of the scoring duties in this one. He’s done a very good job in doing so lately, averaging 16.0 points on 50.0 percent shooting in his past five outings. But in their first meeting with Arizona on January 23, Brown struggled with his shot as he went 4-of-16 from the field for 15 points.

Fortunately, Jordan Mathews was there to save the day with his hot shooting. Mathews tallied 28 points all in all to help the Golden Bears notch the 74-73 victory in that game. He’ll definitely try to provide a similar or an even better effort later against the Wildcats, who are giving up 68.7 points in their previous three outings.

Also, the pair of Ivan Rabb and Tyrone Wallace should prove to be another key factor for California’s success. The two combined for 30 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists in the win over the Trojans.

Create a betting account now and cash in on all the remaining games of the NCAAB 2015-16 regular season.

Betting on the Arizona Wildcats (22-7, 10-6 Pac-12)

No. 18 Arizona is definitely going to need all the energy it can get from their home crowd. The Wildcats have lost their previous two contests—versus Colorado and Utah—and are seemingly desperate for a win tonight, when the California Golden Bears come to town.

The Wildcats, who are 9-1 SU and 6-4 ATS in their last 10 home games, will definitely be looking to the pair of Ryan Anderson and Allonzo Trier to put them back in the win column. Both are averaging at least 15.0 points per contest this season.

Trier, in particular, has been on an offensive tear in his past five outings. In that stretch, the first-year guard is posting 18.0 points and 3.8 rebounds while shooting 43.0 percent from the floor. Trier is set to test a California defense that’s allowing 73.0 points on the road.

Gabe York, meanwhile, has been a bright spot for the Golden Bears as well. He walks into this game having scored in double-digits in all but one of the team’s last 14 games. And overall this season, York is putting up 14.3 points, 3.5 boards and 2.4 dimes.