Arizona Vs. Colorado Preview, Prediction, And Live Stream: No Ranked Teams Left In The PAC-12 Besides Top Ranked Cats
ByWhere has #1 Arizona (18-0, 5-0) been lately? It seems like they haven't played since Bill Walton commentated their 79-75 win at UCLA on Jan. 8. Since then, they trashed USC (14-4, 3-2) and Arizona State, but haven't played since the 16th. Tonight's game against Colorado (15-4, 4-2) will be their stiffest test since holding off the Bruins in Southern California.
The Buffaloes haven't been their best lately, dropping two games in a row by significant margins before rebounding last week against USC (10-9, 1-5). Their fall has only made Arizona's bid for a perfect season more likely. No Pac-12 teams are currently ranked in the top-25, though Colorado, UCLA, and California (14-5, 5-1) are all hovering.
Not only are they in they benefitting from circumstance, but from one of the most perfectly constructed rosters in all of college basketball. Maybe the only thing they're missing is a deadly three point specialist, a job that's nearly being filled by sophomore Gabe York (1.5 three's per game on over 40 percent shooting). Junior and leading scorer Nick Johnson is also capable behind the arc (1.8 3pg, 39 percent shooting), but is more of a slasher/scorer type. Yet, their paint-driven approach is probably why they're so pleasing to watch. Cliché is the college team reliant on three pointers. Original is the one with such versatility they can find buckets in more interesting ways.
Furthering Arizona's case for an unbeaten season is perhaps their undefeated conference run last year, only to be followed by a string of losses in league play. Though freshmen Aaron Gordon (on the midseason top 25 Wooden Award list) and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and transfer point guard T.J. McConnel (6 apg) weren't on that team, holdovers Johnson, Kaleb Tarczewski, and Brandon Ashley seemingly haven't forgotten. Nor has coach Sean Miller.
"I feel we have a confident team, but in a good way," Miller said. "A lot of players who were part of a big winning streak last year saw how quickly it can leave you if you don't continue to work hard and get better. I believe the mission of this year's team is to try to be a team that really practices and shows up. Leave one game behind and quickly move to the next. So far, so good."
But I'm sick of picking teams to cover (and sick of losing). Hopefully Arizona gets off to a slow enough start (because of their seven days off) so Colorado can cover the 14.5 spread.
For live stream, try watchespn.
Regular season: 2-6
Picking Schedule:
Butler @ Creighton: L (picked Butler, +10.5)
UConn @ Memphis: L (picked Memphis, -7.5)
Depaul @ Villanova: W (picked Villanova, -17.5)
Pittsburg @ Syracuse: L (picked Syracuse, -5.5)
Creighton @ Villanova: L (picked Villanova, -6.5)
Baylor @ Kansas: W (picked Baylor, + 10.5)
Indiana @ Michigan State: L (picked Michigan State, -12)
Iowa @ Michigan: L (picked Iowa, + 1.5)