TCU Horned Frogs vs. Arizona Wildcats Picks, Predictions, Odds

The TCU Horned Frogs (21-12) will take on the Arizona Wildcats (32-3) in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. Sunday’s tipoff is scheduled for 9:40 PM ET at Viejas Arena in San Diego, California and can be viewed on TBS.  

Sign up to get daily betting columns directly to your inbox!

Score Prediction

Arizona 75, TCU 68 

Best Bet

TCU +9.5 (-110)

NCAA Tournament Expert Picks | NIT Tournament Picks

MARCH MADNESS BETTING RESOURCES

TCU HORNED FROGS vs. ARIZONA WILDCATS PREDICTIONS

TCU defeated Seton Hall 69-42 in their opening round game of the NCAA Tournament and covered as 1.5-point underdogs. The Horned Frogs were very efficient on offense, shooting 50.9 FG%, 40.0 3PT%, and won the rebounding battle 39-26. They were just as good on defense, allowing Seton Hall just 28.8 FG% and 28.6 3PT%. Friday’s victory makes it the first time TCU has won a tournament game since 1987. 

Arizona defeated Wright State 87-70 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, but failed to cover as 21.5-point favorites. The Wildcats led throughout and shot 55.0 FG%, 55.0 3PT%, and dominated the glass 46-25. Arizona will need to clean things up a bit moving forward as they committed 19 turnovers compared to Wright State’s 6. The Wildcats have one of the most talented teams in the country, but their turnovers could become a bit concerning once they start to meet the tougher teams.  

Arizona is the more talented team in this matchup, but I like TCU to cover here. Prior to the Seton Hall game, seven of the Horned Frogs last eight games had been decided by eight points or less. Arizona has gone 3-3 ATS on a neutral court while TCU has gone 4-3. The Wildcats just did not show the type of intensity in the first round you would like to see as a bettor. Backing the Horned Frogs here who are going to give Arizona everything they got.

TCU HORNED FROGS vs. ARIZONA WILDCATS BETTING ODDS

More Odds | Futures Odds

TCU HORNED FROGS vs. ARIZONA WILDCATS BETTING RESOURCES

  • Date: Sunday, March 20, 2022
  • Matchup: No. 9 vs. No. 1
  • Region: South
  • Venue: Viejas Arena
  • Location: San Diego, California
  • TV-Time: TBS - 9:40 p.m. ET

TCU HORNED FROGS BETTING ANALYSIS

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

  • SU: 21-12
  • ATS: 19-11-3
  • O/U: 15-18

TCU was profitable on the season with an ATS record of 19-11-3. The Horned Frogs have continued that trend in their last 10 games, going 7-2-1 ATS. The total has gone under in 18 of TCU’s 33 games played this season. Going against this trend, the total has gone over in five of the last six games TCU has played against PAC-12 opponents.  

The Horned Frogs offense is led by sophomore guard Mike Miles who averages 15.2 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 3.8 APG, and 38.8 FG%. Miles is coming off a 21 point 4-rebound performance against Seton Hall. As a team, TCU averages 68.1 PPG, 44.3 FG%, 30.5 3PT%, 13.7 APG, and 38.8 RPG. The Horned Frogs offense has been playing well as of late, shooting over 50% from the field in four of their last 10 games. TCU will want to control the pace in this matchup as Arizona is at their best when they are running in transition.  

TCU’s defense is a good representation of the toughness the Big 12 conference brings. On the season, the Horned Frogs have allowed opponents 64.3 PPG, 41.9 FG%, 31.4 3PT%, while averaging 6.3 SPG, and 4.2 BPG.  The Horned Frogs enter this matchup a bit undersized and will need to block out on defense to limit second chance opportunities for the Wildcats.  

ARIZONA WILDCATS BETTING ANALYSIS

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

  • SU: 32-3
  • ATS: 19-14-2
  • O/U: 20-15

Arizona has rewarded faithful bettors with an ATS record of 19-14-2. The Wildcats have not been as good ATS recently, going 5-5 ATS in their last 10 games. The total has gone over in 20 of Arizona’s 35 games this season including six of their last seven. Going against this trend, the total has gone under in seven of the last eight games Arizona has played against Big 12 opponents.  

The Wildcats enter this matchup averaging 84.6 PPG, 49.7 FG%, 35.9 3PT%, 19.9 APG, and 41.5 RPG. Sophomore guard Bennedict Mathurin has been the leading scorer for Arizona this season, averaging 17.4 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 2.5 APG, and 45.7 FG%. Mathurin put up 18 points and 5-rebounds in their first-round game against Wright State. As mentioned earlier, Arizona will need to limit their turnovers or they could find themselves in some trouble here.  

Arizona’s defense has allowed opponents 67.6 PPG, 38.6 FG%, 32.8 3PT%, while averaging 6.6 SPG, and 5.8 BPG. The Wildcats have not been as strong as of late, allowing opponents at least 70 points in their last four games. If Arizona can dominate the glass like they have most the season, they should be able to control this one throughout. 

Arizona has won 27 of its last 28 games vs. a non-AP-ranked school. (AP)

INSIDE THE STATS - TCU HORNED FROGS 

  • Record: 21-12
  • PS/G: 68.1 (258th)
  • PA/G: 64.3 (39th)

INSIDE THE STATS - ARIZONA WILDCATS

  • Record: 32-3
  • PS/G: 84.6 (3rd)
  • PA/G: 67.6 (134th)

KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH

  • TCU: Mike Miles - G (15.2 ppg)
  • TCU: Emanuel Miller - F (10.3 ppg, 6.2 rpg)
  • ZONA: Benedict Mathurin - G (17.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg)
  • ZONA: Azuolas Tubeless - F (14.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg)

TCU HORNED FROGS vs. ARIZONA WILDCATS BETTING CONCLUSION

TCU may not have a 32-3 record like Arizona does, but this team plays very hard every game and is going to give Arizona their best shot. It’s games like these where the underdog comes out playing like this will be their last game while the higher seed tends to come out a little lackadaisical. Taking the Horned Frogs and the points here as I think they come out with much more intensity.  

MARCH MADNESS PICK RESOURCES

TCU HORNED FROGS vs. ARIZONA WILDCATS BETTING TRENDS

  • Arizona has won 27 of its last 28 games vs. a non-AP-ranked school.
  • Arizona has won 1H in 17 of its last 19 games vs. a non-AP-ranked school at night.
  • TCU has allowed 76 points or less in 28 of its last 29 games.
  • TCU has seen 143 or less total points in nine straight games vs. an AP-ranked school at night.