Is Arizona -5 a trap???

[JaBruno]

I need some quick info on why this line is so low when Arizona has finally gotten it together and played like a nationally ranked team. Cal has 2 key starters out tonight and even though they are at home, the should still be getting more points........unless there is something I don't know about. If not, I see a rout here. Any feedback???

 

[JimFiestSux]

Cal isn't a bad team at home and we know how much home cookin means to a team. BUT if Cal has 2 starters out then Zona should be the play here! Last year they split 2. Zona winning by 20 at home as a 13 point fav. Cal won at home by 4 as a 3 1/2 point underdod! Zona is 7-6 ATS as Cal is 6-3.

 

[Coast2Coast]

Why is the line 5? A few considerations...

Zona has played two real road games....got whacked at Virginia and scored 48 points at Marquette. Tonight, this young team goes on the conference road for the first time. Consider Zona's road performances to date...35% shooting, 27% from trey and 59 points per game? You really want to lay points on the road in the first conference road game with a (albeit more talented) team that only shoots 35% on the road? If they shoot under 40% tonight, I don't see how they cover...or even win outright. Have to look past the talent difference and see this young Cats team has the typical home/road Jekyll/Hyde personality and shooting percentages of so many college teams. Other than the solid defensive effort at Marquette (same lousy O tho)....they haven't turned anything around in their play on the road. That's why the line is 5.

Assuming that Arizona will play to their talent level on the road in the first conference game and shoot much better than they have thus far is a large assumption IMO. Now they could shoot lights out tonight and cover easily. I just see nothing in their performances thus far that gives me any confidence that they will.

 

[Coast2Coast]

by the way, what two "key" starters are out for Cal? I'm not quite sure who you are thinking about. Powe has been out all year. Hasn't played a minute. Not sure you can count him. Ayinde has been out several games. They've played and won without him (though he is a solid player). It isn't like Cal suddenly has to learn to play without him. Is there somebody else you are referring to? Cal lost four guys back in November (Ayinde one of them). They have only eight scholarship players. They are thin...no question. I guess my point is that they haven't suddenly lost someone else. The team on the floor tonight is the same team they've had the last five weeks.

 

[oldmanTED]

Believe the reason the line is so low is because of Cal's recent performance against Washington and the Bears always being up for this game. That being said, however, Arizona is coming off destroying Arizona State at home and the Sun Devils are not chopped liver and were leading for most of the first half in that game until late, as a 10 point dog. Cal will be without the presence of Powe inside this year. I would think that Cal would have to play at it's very best tonight and Arizona would have to be a bit flat for Cal to cover the number. Anything is possible when these two teams meet. Just my thoughts.

 

[TideRider]

I like your thoughts . Thanks and have a great day!:howdy:

 

[WhateverMakesYouNervous]

Arizona is starting to fire on all cylinders...Check out Salim's last 4 games since being benched. This is a different team than the one that played in Virginia as the Cats have finally found their offense to go with their stingy defense....even though it was on home cooking. Cats -5 is definitely the play IMO.