Stanford vs Arizona: Predictions, Odds, Best Bets (3/9/23) – NCAAB

Stanford faces Arizona in the quarterfinals of the Pac-12 Tournament. Stanford just beat Utah in the first round of the Pac-12 Tournament, while Arizona had a bye and is coming off a loss to UCLA to end the regular season. My prediction is that Arizona covers the 10-point spread. Stanford is the one team that Arizona hasn’t beaten this year, so look for Arizona to get revenge in this spot. Let’s take a look at the odds and make some picks and predictions for this game!

Stanford vs. Arizona Prediction

Arizona is primed to make a run in Vegas, especially with the fan turnout being a majority Arizona fans.

Azuolas Tubelis is Arizona’s best player and is an All-American candidate. He leads the team in scoring at 20 points per game, in rebounds at 9.2 per game, and in steals at 1 per game. Oumar Ballo helps Tubelis make the best front court in country. He averages 14 PPG, 8.6 RPG and he leads the team in blocks at 1.3 per game. Courtney Ramey and Kerr Kriisa are big keys in the backcourt for Arizona. Ramey is third in scoring at 10.8 PPG and leads the team in three-point shooting at 40.5%. Kriisa also averages 10.7 PPG and leads the entire Pac-12 in assists at 5.4 per game.

Arizona has one of the best offenses in the entire country this season. Arizona is 4th in the country in scoring at 83.1 PPG, they’re top-10 in field goal percentage at 49.3%, they’re top-3 in assists at 19.3 per game, and they’re also top-10 in rebounds at 39.7 per game. Defensively, they give up 72 PPG too.

On the other side, Stanford has really struggled this season, and haven’t lived up to expectations that they were going to finish in the top-5 of the conference.

Spencer Jones is the best player for the Cardinal this year. He leads the team in scoring at 14 points per game, steals at 1 per game, and in blocks at 1 per game. Harrison Ingram is the only other player that scores in double digits this season for Stanford. He averages 10 PPG and then leads the team in assists at 4 per game. Michael Jones and Brandon Angel are also in line to help the Cardinal in this game. Michael Jones is the highest scoring guard and averages 9 PPG, while Angel provides some backup down low and averages 9 PPG.

Stanford has been able to hang their hat on defense this season by giving up 67.5 PPG, while they’re scoring 70 PPG.

Arizona is the better team in this matchup. It’s easier to trust Arizona than Stanford. It’s also a revenge spot for Arizona after Stanford already upset them. Arizona wins in a blowout and covers this spread easily into the second half, setting up a showdown between USC or ASU.

Stanford vs. Arizona Prediction: Arizona -10

Stanford vs. Arizona Odds

Arizona is a 10-point favorite against Stanford in this game and is at -500 on the money line. The over/under is also at 154. Arizona being favored by this much makes sense because they’re much better than Stanford, and are in a revenge spot too. The over/under also makes sense because of how fast-paced this game is going to get because of how much Arizona wants to get out and run.

Stanford vs. Arizona Key Matchups

Can Brandon Angel matchup with Azuolas Tubelis? Can Cedric Henderson Jr. matchup with Spencer Jones?

Azuolas Tubelis vs Brandon Angel

Azuolas Tubelis has been unbelievable this season for Arizona. He averages 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 assists per game for the season. He’ll be matched up against Brandon Angel most of the game, who averages 9 points, 2 assists, and 4 rebounds per game for the season. Angel is going to be in a very tough matchup in this game. Azuolas Tubelis and combined with Oumar Ballo down low are the biggest reason why I think Arizona covers the 10-point spread.

Spencer Jones vs Cedric Henderson Jr.

Spencer Jones is the standout player for the Cardinal. He averages 14 points, 1 assist, and 5 rebounds per game for the season. He’ll be matched up against Cedric Henderson Jr. most of the game, who averages 8 points, 1 assist, and 3.5 rebounds per game for the season. Henderson Jr. has been a great defender and it will be interesting to see how he does against Jones. Henderson’s defense on Jones is another reason why I like Arizona to cover the 10-point spread because Stanford struggles to score outside of him.