Wisconsin vs Arizona Odds, Picks and Predictions: Badgers Forced Out of Comfort Zone

The No. 1 team in the country gets a big test at home on Saturday afternoon, as the red-hot Wisconsin Badgers travel out west to take on the undefeated Arizona Wildcats. 

The Badgers have won five consecutive games including upset wins over Virginia, Marquette, and Michigan State. The Wildcats have jumped to the top of the polls with their undefeated record and wins over Duke and Michigan State away from home. Will the Badgers be able to continue their hot streak as underdogs and cover in the college basketball odds this week? 

Here are our free college basketball picks and predictions for Wisconsin vs. Arizona at the McKale Center in Tucson, AZ on Saturday, December 9. 

Wisconsin vs Arizona best odds

Wisconsin vs Arizona picks and predictions

The Badgers have been undervalued all season long after losing to Tennessee and Providence early in the season. Since, they’ve won three games outright as underdogs and have only allowed 54.4 points per contest. That includes holding Marquette to 64 points despite an 80.0 ppg average. 

This will be a huge clash of styles as the Badgers play slow and efficient, while the Wildcats play fast and aggressive. The Badgers rank 343rd in pace of play and their games average a total of 105.9 field goal attempts. Contrastingly, the Wildcats rank sixth in the country in pace of play and their games average a total of 127.4 field goal attempts. 

The difference is that if this game plays into Wisconsin’s style, I believe Arizona can handle that. However, if it plays into Arizona’s style, I don’t believe Wisconsin can keep up. The two games where Wisconsin had to play faster, it lost to Tennessee 80-70 and Providence 72-59. Arizona was fine playing slower and beating Michigan State 74-68.

The Wildcats rank first in the country grabbing 47.1 rebounds per game and second in rebounds allowed at 28.0. The Badgers only allow 27.1 rebounds per game, but also only grab 34.3 boards. When the Wildcats miss, they are more likely to grab their offensive board than the other way when Wisconsin misses. 

The Badgers are hot but are facing a new beast on the road in a very experienced Wildcats team that has two transfers who have played in National Championship games in Caleb Love from UNC and Keshad Johnson from San Diego State. Arizona will win this game at home and cover the spread. 

My best bet: Arizona -9.5 (-110 at FanDuel)

Wisconsin vs Arizona same-game parlay

Arizona -9.5

Under 144.5

+223 at FanDuel

With very little in terms of player props available at time of writing, we will keep it simple with our same game parlay. 

Starting with the spread, we will combine it with a pick on the total. Wisconsin games average a total of 136.7 points and Arizona games average a total of 156.0 points. This total is currently sitting at 144.5 points. I think it is more likely we see a lower-scoring game. 

Arizona and Michigan State just played to a total of 142 points. Wisconsin and Michigan State played to a total of 127 points. I think we see similar games and will be looking at around 138-140 total points here. 

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

Wisconsin vs Arizona spread and Over/Under analysis

Even if this game plays more into the hands of the Badgers’ pace of play, the Wildcats are still very efficient. They rank 15th in field goal percentage (50.6%), 46th in 3-point field goal percentage (37.8%), 16th in steals (10.1), and 29th in field goal percentage allowed (38.5%). The Wildcats will make more of their possessions even if they are limited. 

Both teams are heavy on hitting Unders this season in the total. The Badgers games are 6-3 in favor of the Under and the Wildcats games are 5-2 in favor of the Under. Arizona can light up the scoreboard, but it also play excellent defense. 

The Wildcats are excellent at forcing turnovers and don’t commit very many fouls — only 15.4 fouls per game (53rd in the nation). The Badgers only average 56.0 field goal attempts per game and shoot 31.8% from downtown. This could be a lower-scoring game than Arizona is used to. 

Wisconsin vs Arizona betting trend to know

Arizona is a perfect 7-0 against the spread this season. Find more college basketball betting trends for Wisconsin vs. Arizona.

Wisconsin vs Arizona game info

Wisconsin vs Arizona key injuries

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