Offense meets defense when the No. 8 Arizona Wildcats (22-4, 11-4 Pac-12) play host to the Utah Runnin’ Utes (17-9, 10-5 Pac-12) on Thursday. Utah beat the Colorado Buffaloes 73-62 at Jon M. Huntsman Center on Saturday. Branden Carlson was a top performer with 17 points, three assists, and three blocks.
The Runnin’ Utes are third in the Pac-12 Conference. Arizona dropped their last game on Saturday at Maples Pavilion, falling to the Stanford Cardinal 88-79. Courtney Ramey had 26 points and six rebounds in the losing effort, leading the team. The Wildcats are second in the Pac-12 Conference.
The teams are meeting for the final time this season. Utah will be seeking a season sweep against Arizona after coming out on top in the only prior meeting 81-66 at Jon M. Huntsman Center in December 2022. Carlson led the Runnin’ Utes with 22 points. Oumar Ballo had 22 points and three blocks in defeat.
The Runnin’ Utes have been led this season by Carlson, who is averaging 15.8 points per game. Carlson also has grabbed 7.3 rebounds per game. Meanwhile, Rollie Worster is dishing 5.2 assists. Azuolas Tubelis has been the primary provider of the Wildcats’ offense, averaging 20.2 points per game.
Tubelis also has pulled down 9.3 rebounds per game. Kerr Kriisa has recorded 5.6 assists per game. The Wildcats rank 15th in the nation in offensive efficiency, while the Runnin’ Utes are 20th in defensive efficiency.
Utah is 5-5 in the last 10 games with an average margin of +2.2 (65.3-63.1). For the season, the Runnin’ Utes are averaging 70.5 points per game, compared to 61.8 for opponents.
Arizona has gone 8-2 over the last 10, scoring 79.0 points per game on average while holding opponents to 68.7 (+10.3 margin). The Wildcats are averaging 83.2 ppg for the full season while allowing 71.0.
RUNNIN’ UTES HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Lazar Stefanovic: 22.4 | 16.3 | +6.1
Gabe Madsen: 3.6 | 14.3 | -10.7
Points per game:
Lazar Stefanovic: 14.0 | 10.5 | +3.5
Gabe Madsen: 2.6 | 10.3 | -7.7
Assists per game:
Lazar Stefanovic: 4.0 | 2.7 | +1.3
WILDCATS HOT/COLD
(Last Five | Season Average | Differential)
Points + Rebounds + Assists:
Courtney Ramey: 22.2 | 16.5 | +5.7
Henri Veesaar: 2.8 | 4.3 | -1.5
Points per game:
Courtney Ramey: 12.8 | 9.8 | +3.0
Rebounds per game:
Pelle Larsson: 2.2 | 4.5 | -2.3
Assists per game:
Courtney Ramey: 4.4 | 3.2 | +1.2
SportsTips’ College Basketball Pick:
Arizona -10.5 (-115)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
