Arizona vs Florida Atlantic Odds, Picks and Predictions: Love Helps Power Wildcats

Following a dream run to the Final Four a season ago, the 14th-ranked Florida Atlantic Owls size up against a school many expect to be there this year, when they take on the no. 4-ranked Arizona Wildcats at the Desert Classic in Las Vegas.

Arizona has just a single loss on its slate this year, and it’s had about as difficult of a non-conference schedule as any top team in the country.

That’s why the Wildcats are pegged as 6.5-point favorites in the college basketball odds. 

The Owls have just two losses on the year, but are they battle-tested to keep up with the Wildcats? Check my free college basketball picks for Arizona vs. FAU on Saturday, December 23.

Arizona vs Florida Atlantic best odds

Arizona vs Florida Atlantic picks and predictions

Coming off their first loss of the season, the Wildcats rebounded nicely against a tricky Alabama Crimson Tide side, knocking them off 87-74.

Arizona is offensively gifted, as evidenced by its 92.3 points per game, which ranks second in the nation. It’s also spread down the lineup, with all five starters putting up at least 11.7 points.

But the Wildcats defense should be getting close to equal footing, which is second in KenPom’s defensive efficiency metric. They’re holding teams to 67.6 points per game which sits just outside the Top 100 in the NCAA.

Alabama is one of six teams in the country that put up 90+ points per game, and ‘Zona put the clamps on them, holding the ‘Tide to 33.8% shooting from the field, and a dismal 8-for-40 mark from downtown, a 20% clip 

Save for a 92-84 loss to then-No. 3 Purdue, Arizona has held every team to 74 points or less, including six teams to sub-70. They haven’t ducked any big games either, with FAU the fifth-ranked team on their schedule before they hit the Pac-12 conference trail.

The Owls have won two straight after getting dropped by 20th-ranked Illinois. The latest was a 64-54 win over St. Bonaventure. 

Florida Atlantic’s defense is in the same points allowed range as Arizona, at 68.1 points, and sits a respectable 37th in defensive efficiency at KenPom. 

The Owls are also 10th in offensive efficiency (Arizona is sixth), and shoot the ball at a 50.8% rate, which is 11th in college basketball. They average a healthy 83.5 points per game, inside the Top-40 scoring teams in the nation.

While they have a 96-89 win over then-12th-ranked Texas A&M, they have just two ranked games on the docket. 

FAU, however, has averaged 92.5 points per game in those games, and you have to be able to score to keep up with the Wildcats. Arizona has gone sub-87 points just three times all season.

Florida Atlantic will be competitive, but Arizona is just a step above, and should handle its business.

My best bet: Arizona -6.5 (-110 at DraftKings)

Arizona vs Florida Atlantic same-game parlay

Arizona -6.5 

Oumar Ballo Under 7.5 rebounds

Caleb Love Over 26.5 points-rebounds-assists

+525 at DraftKings

Let’s tack on a few more bets and get the juice going for a same-game parlay. Let’s start with Arizona big man Oumar Ballo, who’s coming off his best game of the season against Alabama, finishing with 16 points and 12 rebounds in 31 minutes of work.

That’s the second time he’s hit double-digit boards this season, and just the third time all year he’s crossed his Saturday total of 7.5 rebounds.

The 7-foot senior has also been less imposing against better competition. In four previous matchups against ranked teams, Ballo only went Over the total with nine rebounds against Wisconsin. 

Against Duke, Purdue and Michigan State, he’s averaged just 4.7 boards. He will also have to go toe-to-toe with FAU big man Vladislav Goldin, who leads the Owls with 15.1 points and seven rebounds per game. Look for Ballo to crash back to reality Saturday.

We’ll finish with ex-UNC transfer Caleb Love, who leads the Wildcats in scoring at 15.5 points per game. He’s coming off perhaps his worst game of the year in the win over ‘Bama, failing to add an assist to his 13 points and seven rebounds.

He’s been an all-around dynamo over the last four, averaging 20 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists. Three of those games have come against ranked teams, and his averages would top the points-rebounds-assists line set at 26.5. I think Love bounces back in a big way.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Arizona vs Florida Atlantic spread and Over/Under analysis

This line has not dipped below 6.5 points, with some books lifting this to a 7-point spread.

Both teams are dynamite against the spread, with Arizona going 9-1-0 ATS, and FAU a crisp 8-3-0 ATS.

The total opened at 159, but almost every site has this one set at a high 160.5 points as of late Friday night. This is the highest line FAU has seen this season, and the Over is 5-5-1 its games. 

This is the total set at 160 points or higher for the Wildcats, who had a massive total of 176 against Alabama. The Over has hit in just four of their 10 games this year.

Arizona vs Florida Atlantic betting trend to know

Just three of Florida Atlantic's last 31 games at a neutral venue have gone Over 156 points. Find more college basketball betting trends for Arizona vs. Florida Atlantic.

Arizona vs Florida Atlantic game info

Arizona vs Florida Atlantic key injuries

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