Arizona vs Colorado Prediction and Preview

Arizona basketball returns home to sell out the McKale Center against Colorado. Read more for a full Arizona vs Colorado prediction and preview.

Arizona (12-6, 6-1) is coming off of a road trip where they suffered a huge, shocking loss to Texas Tech but made up for it with a 14-point win against Oklahoma State before returning home Tuesday night. Colorado (9-9, 0-7) has had a rough run in conference play and is entering a sold-out McKale Center atmosphere to play a strong Arizona team. 

General Information:

Teams: Arizona (12-6, 6-1) and Colorado (9-9, 0-7)

Tip-off: 1 p.m. MST (2 p.m. EST)

Watch: ESPN

Latest on Colorado Basketball:

The Buffaloes are coming off 7 straight losses as they have yet to win a game in conference play with their most recent loss being 83-67 to BYU. Arizona is the start to battle after battle of Colorado as the schedule does not get easier. 

The team had a slow start to its season with very little competition in the pre-season which did not set them up for success in an extremely competitive Big 12 conference. With a few competitive games under them the Buffs should find themselves matching the pace and energy of Arizona but can they knock down points the same as Arizona?

Colorado is entering this game with two players averaging over 10 points a game, Julian Hammond III and Andrej Jakimovski. Hammond III is absolutely going to be the player to watch in this matchup against Arizona; the senior guard is averaging 13.7 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 3.2 assists per game. Colorado and Hammond III have to find themselves shooting better than they have all season which is doable with the adrenaline Mckale Center brings and the history of these two basketball programs. 

Latest on Arizona Basketball:

The Wildcats recently suffered a shocking loss to a fiery Texas Tech to put an end to its 7-game win streak but got the streak back almost immediately with the most recent win, 92-78 against Oklahoma State. Although the team suffered a loss in Lubbock, fans remained loyal, selling out McKale for this Colorado matchup. 

Going into this game Arizona has 3 players averaging over 10 points a game and depth on the bench that no team in the Big 12 conference can compare to right now. Standout players remain the same with Caleb Love averaging 15.6 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game but the silent assassins for Arizona are standing out even more than the statistic leader. 

Carter Bryant has been coming off of the bench and changing the game even with his 16 minutes-per-game average. 

Henri Veesaar has stepped up tremendously for the Wildcats since the season-ending injury that Motiejus Krivas underwent. Veesaar is averaging 7.7 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game but it sure does make a difference when he isn’t on the court. 

Jaden Bradley could absolutely be considered a standout player but he is also a silent assassin. Bradley could be considered the most consistent player on this Arizona team. He averages 11.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. 

Arizona’s depth on and off the bench has been untouchable this season. The Colorado game should give the Wildcats motivation and adrenaline for Monday’s huge matchup against Iowa State if everything goes as I predict it to. 

Arizona vs Colorado prediction: Wildcats by 13 (94-81)

With a rough start to conference play and a sold-out McKale Center, I think this will be Colorado’s toughest game this season. Arizona always plays a physical, fast-paced game. Colorado will find success in rebounding on defense and finishing second chances on offense as that has been a struggle for Arizona in its few losses this season. Colorado will find themselves fighting for a lead rather than trying to keep a lead in this game.

I predict Arizona will keep it close in the first half but will extend its lead heavily in the second half. This game will be a test of composure with a crowd as loud and exhilarating as the one at McKale, it’s easy to make unnecessary mistakes on the court. I think the Wildcats will have the lead going into the half but will extend the lead in the second half. I think this will be a high-scoring game, 94-81 Wildcats win.