Maui Invitational: Arizona Wildcats vs Iowa State Cyclones
Wildcats and Cyclones Both Undefeated
The Arizona Wildcats and the Iowa State Cyclones will both be trying to pick up a win on Monday when they battle at Lahaina Civic Center in the 2018 Maui Invitational. Both teams come into the contest with perfect 3-0 records.
Iowa State is 3-0 despite missing several players due to injury and suspension. They will get tested tonight against undefeated Arizona.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, ESPNU
LINE: Arizona -1; O/U: 147.
With an offseason filled with off-court distractions, Arizona has been focused early. They have averaged 83.7 points in wins over Houston Baptist, Cal Poly and UTEP. Brandon Randolph is scoring a team-high 18.7 points per game on 56.3 percent shooting for the Wildcats, who are allowing an average of 55.7 points.
“For as new as we are together, for this being November, I love the fact that we have a group of guys who are playing really hard,” Miller told reporters. “They’re playing with tremendous effort and they’re playing the game to win. We’re far from perfect, but I like our hustle.”
Arizona is taking a dramatic step up in competition in Maui. They will need continued improvement in the frontcourt, especially after allowing a total of 27 offensive rebounds in the wins over Houston Baptist and UTEP.
Arizona freshman guard Brandon Williams snapped out of a brief shooting slump by scoring 21 points in Wednesday’s 79-46 victory over UTEP. He has recorded 14 assists without committing a single turnover through three games.
The Wildcats also have received a very good boost in the frontcourt from Duke transfer Chase Jeter. He is averaging 14 points and seven rebounds.
Iowa State guards Marial Shayok, Talen Horton-Tucker and Nick Weiler-Babb combined for 45 points in last Monday’s 85-73 triumph over Texas Southern. Forward Michael Jacobson continued to look solid with 16 points and eight rebounds.
Shayok is averaging a team-high 20 points for the Cyclones. They are playing without key contributors Lindell Wigginton (foot), Solomon Young (groin), Cameron Lard (suspension) and Zoran Talley Jr. (suspension).
Horton-Tucker has made an immediate impact as a true freshman. He is averaging 14.7 points and 2.7 steals.
PREDICTION: Arizona 73, Iowa State 64
College Basketball Betting Odds & Trends
Arizona Wildcats:
Team record: 3-0 SU,2-1 ATS
Current Streak: won 3 straight games.
Arizona is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
Arizona is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Arizona’s last 6 games
Iowa State Cyclones:
Team record: 3-0 SU,1-2 ATS
Current Streak: won 3 straight games.
Iowa State is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Iowa State is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Iowa State’s last 6 games
Next up:
Arizona home to Georgia Southern Thursday, November 29
Iowa State home to Nebraska-Omaha Monday, November 26
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