Arizona vs Cincinnati Prediction College Basketball Picks 1/4/25

The Arizona Wildcats are visiting the Cincinnati Bearcats on Saturday, January 4th at the Fifth Third Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an Arizona Wildcats vs Cincinnati Bearcats Prediction. We will examine:

The Cincinnati Bearcats’ recent form and player performance

The Arizona Wildcats’ recent form and player performance

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Cincinnati Bearcats

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Arizona Wildcats

Recent betting trends in games played between Arizona Wildcats and Cincinnati Bearcats

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Arizona Wildcats vs Cincinnati Bearcats game

Cincinnati Bearcats Preview

The Cincinnati Bearcats have a 10-2 record this season and are sitting in the 9th place of the Big 12. Cincinnati is coming off a 67-70 loss to Kansas State. The Bearcats are 6-6 against the spread, and 2-10 in over/under while having a 7-0 home record. 

Offensively, Cincinnati is averaging 78.4 points per game, which ranks 122nd in the nation. Defensively, they allow 59.5 points per game, which is the 9th-best nationally. The Bearcats shoot 48.5% from the field (53rd) and 35.7% from beyond the arc (100th). The Bearcats shoot just 65% from the free-throw line (332nd) and are grabbing 38.4 rebounds per game (87th).

Simas Lukosius leads Cincinnati in scoring with an average of 14 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.9 assists, while Jizzle James adds 11.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, and a team-high 5.1 assists.

Arizona Wildcats Preview

The Arizona Wildcats have a 7-5 record this season and are sitting in 7th place in the Big 12. Arizona is coming off a 90-81 win over TCU. The Wildcats are 5-7 against the spread, and 7-5 in over/under while having a 0-1 road record.

Offensively, Arizona is averaging 85.9 points per game, which is the 19th-best in the nation. Defensively, they allow 68.8 points per game (116th). The Wildcats shoot 48.9% from the field (40th) and 30.8% from beyond the arc (306th). The Wildcats shoot 75.3% from the free-throw line (77th), and are grabbing 42.2 rebounds per game, which is the 10th-best nationally.

Caleb Love leads Arizona in scoring this season, with an average of 16.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.2 assists, while Jaden Bradley adds 11.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists. Arizona will face West Virginia following this one.

Why the Cincinnati Bearcats will win

• Cincinnati has won each of its last 11 games at Fifth Third Arena.
• Arizona has lost each of its last five games against AP-ranked opponents.
• Cincinnati has won the first half in 10 of its last 11 games at Fifth Third Arena against non-AP-ranked opponents.

Why the Arizona Wildcats will win

• Arizona has won four of its last five games.
• Arizona has won the first half in nine of its last 11 day games against AP-ranked opponents.

Arizona Wildcats vs Cincinnati Bearcats Prediction

In their only previous meeting back in 2022, Arizona won 101-93 at home, not covering the spread, as the game went over the point total. In this Arizona Wildcats vs Cincinnati Bearcats Prediction, Cincinnati is coming as the road favorite. Arizona is better offensively, scoring 7.5 points more than Cincinnati, while Cincinnati is better defensively, allowing 9.3 points less. The Bearcats are winning by an average of 18.9 points this season, while the Wildcats are winning by an average of 17.1 points. Both teams are coming in hot and I cannot make a case for either side in this particular spot, but the Bearcats have the 9th-best defense in the league, and both teams have been involved in lower-scoring games lately, as they are 12-2 to the under in their last 14 games combined. I expect another low-scoring affair, so take the under.