No. 1 Arizona visits No. 13 BYU on Monday night in Provo, Utah, as the Top-15 match up is set to air on ESPN as its Big Monday broadcast at 8:00 p.m. CT. Here is a prediction, preview and key match ups to watch in the game.
Gameday injury update: BYU starter Kennard Davis is listed as “Questionable” for Monday night’s game against Arizona.
The Wildcats are a perfect 20-0, and 7-0 in the Big 12 this season. They’re fresh off a 35-point win over West Virginia on Saturday. Meantime, BYU most recently beat Utah 91-78 on Saturday in the Holy War to improve to 17-2 overall and 5-1 in the Big 12.
Arizona vs. BYU Basketball Spread and Over/Under
The spread for this game opened up at Arizona -3.5 and an over/under of 159.5 total points. The spread moved by Monday around lunch time to a spread of Arizona -1.5 or -2 points, with an over/under of 166 or 166.5 total points.
Top Storyline: Freshman Forces
Some of the top freshmen in college basketball will be on display on Monday night on ESPN. Arizona’s Koa Peat and BYU’s AJ Dybantsa. Koa Peat is averaging 14.7 points and 5.9 rebounds for the Wildcats. AJ Dybantsa scored 43 points in BYU’s 91-78 win over Utah on Saturday and is averaging 23.6 points per game, 6.8 rebounds per game and 3.5 assists per game.
Match Up to Watch: Who Wins the Rebounding Margin?
These two teams love to score. They are both in the Top 5 in scoring in the Big 12 (Arizona, No. 1, BYU No. 5), while also ranking in the Top 3 in field goal percentage. In rebounding, they’re combined rebounds are No. 1 (Arizona) and No. 2 (BYU) in the Big 12 Conference. Whoever also gets the edge in offensive rebounds and second-chance points will come out on top.
Prediction: Arizona 82, BYU 76
Arizona needs to keep Dybantsa in check, like Texas Tech did in its win over BYU last week when he finished with 13 points on just 6-17 shooting and 0-3 from three-point range. Arizona’s length and depth should be able to do just that, while wearing down BYU’s defense as the game progresses. The atmosphere in Provo is going to be electric, but Arizona’s ball movement (No. 2 in assists in the Big 12), will lead to more open opportunities against a BYU defense that can be hot or cold. Also, the Cougars will have to be better from three-point range. They’re currently 13th in the league in three-point percentage, which doesn’t bode well for Monday night when they take on a team with the interior defense of Arizona.
