Wyoming Cowboys vs. Arizona Wildcats Picks, Predictions, Odds

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

5 minute read

Dec. 8, 2021

Dan Dobish
VI Betting Expert
VegasInsider.com

The Wyoming Cowboys (8-0) travel to meet the No. 8 Arizona Wildcats (7-0) in a surprising battle of unbeatens at McKale Center in Tucson, Ariz. on Wednesday night. Tip-off is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET, and the game can be viewed on PAC-12 Network.

Score Prediction

Arizona 83, Wyoming 71

Best Bets

Wyoming +15.5 (-110)

Over 146.5 (-110)

Wyoming Cowboys vs. Arizona Wildcats Predictions

Wyoming won a battle of Cowboys against McNeese State last time out, pushing against a 21-point number in a 79-58 victory on Dec. 4. While Wyoming is eight up and eight down, their unblemished record isn't moving the needle much in terms of voters for the polls. They just haven't played anybody. If they were able to spring the upset, that would certainly change.

The Cowboys do have a victory over a Pac-12 team already, topping Washington 77-72 in overtime to cover as a two-point underdog in its first true road game of the season back on Nov. 18 as the OVER connected.

Arizona has fired out of the chute, record neutral-site wins against Wichita State and Michigan so far this season. The win over the Wolverines was most impressive, spanking Michigan 80-62 as 3.5-point underdogs in Las Vegas as the UNDER hit. That was a rare UNDER, thanks to a great defensive effort, as the OVER is 5-1 in the past six for the Wildcats.

Wyoming Cowboys vs. Arizona Wildcats Betting Odds

• Wyoming +750
• Arizona -1400
• Wyoming +15.5 (-115)
• Arizona -15.5 (-105)
• Over 146.5 (-110)
• Under 146.5 (-110)

More Odds | Futures Odds

Wyoming Cowboys vs. Arizona Wildcats Betting Resources

• Matchup: Pac-12
• Date: Wednesday, December 8, 2021
• Venue: McKale Center
• Location: Tucson, Arizona
• TV-Time: Pac-12 Network - 10:00 p.m. ET

• Injury Report
• Wooden Award Odds
• Conference Futures Market
• Power Rankings

Wyoming Cowboys Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 8-0
• ATS: 5-1-1
• O/U: 3-4

The Cowboys have rolled up 82.3 PPG to rank 31st overall in the country, and they're 13th with a 50.1 FG%. That's all well and good, but the numbers are a little bit inflated due to a lack of quality in the strength of schedule department.

Defensively, same thing. Wyoming has been strong, limiting the opposition to 36.1% on field goals, while ranking 20th in perimeter defense with teams hitting just 26.0% from behind the arc. Again, this will be their biggest test, by far.

The Cowboys are 22-6 ATS in the past 28 road games, while going 5-0 ATS in the past five games on the road against teams with a winning home mark. They're also 20-6-1 ATS in the past 27 games following a straight up win, so they've been able to stack covers this season and last season.

Arizona Wildcats Betting Analysis

Straight Up - SU, Against the Spread - ATS, Over-Under (O/U)

• SU: 7-0
• ATS: 6-1
• O/U: 5-2

The Wildcats have cashed in six of the past seven games, while going 4-1 ATS in the past five at McKale. One thing of interest is that the Wildcats have managed just a 5-11 ATS mark in the past 16 following a victory of 20 or more points last time out.

Arizona leads the nation with 91.3 PPG, and they're 29th in FG% at 49.1. If they need some improvement, it's in the 3-pointer and free-throw categories. Arizona has hit just 33.0% from behind the arc, while knocking down just 71.4% at the charity stripe.

Defensively, Arizona is allowing just 58.7 PPG to check in 26th, while ranking second in the country with a 34.0 defensive FG%. That's going to win you a lot of games when you combine great defense with strong scoring. This team is looking mighty dangerous heading into the conference schedule, harkening back to the heydays of Lute Olson.

The OVER has cashed in each of the past four home games for the Wildcats. (AP)

Inside the Stats - Wyoming Cowboys

• Record: 8-0
• VI Ranking: 49
• PS/G: 82.3
• PA/G: 59.0
• ORtg: 36.9
• DRtg: 30.8

Inside the Stats - Arizona Wildcats

• Record: 7-0
• VI Ranking: 11
• PS/G: 91.3
• PA/G: 58.7
• ORtg: 43.6
• DRtg: 30.9

Key Players to Watch

• WYO – Graham Ike - F (20.8 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 1.3 APG, 56.1 FG%)
• WYO – Hunter Maldonado - G (18.9 PPG, 5.7 RPG, 5.4 APG, 1.1 SPG)
• ARIZ – Christian Koloko - C (15.6 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 1.4 APG, 1.0 SPG)
• ARIZ – Benedict Mathurin - G (16.0 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 1.4 APG, 34.1 3P%)

Wyoming Cowboys vs. Arizona Wildcats Betting Conclusion

Wyoming has had a nice season, and they're looking strong heading into the Mountain West Conference portion of the schedule. Ike and Maldonado are a nice one-two punch, and this team looks like a 20-win team, and possible NCAA Tournament team for the first time since 2015. Head coach Jeff Linder has done a great job turning things around in Laramie. But, they're not beating Arizona.

I like the high-flying offense and lockdown defense of the Wildcats, and it will be on full display Wednesday night as they hand the Cowboys its first loss of the season as the OVER connects.

Wyoming Cowboys vs. Arizona Wildcats Betting Trends

• Wyoming is 22-6 ATS in the past 28 road games.
• Wyoming is 4-0 ATS in the past four vs. winning teams.
• Arizona is 6-1 ATS in the past seven games overall.
• Arizona is 4-1 ATS in the past five home games.
• The OVER is 20-6 in the past 26 road games for Wyoming.
• The OVER is 4-0 in the past four home games for Arizona.

VegasInsider Staff

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