The No. 9 Arizona Wildcats (8-1) and No. 18 University of Memphis Tigers (8-2) headline the 22nd Annual Chase Fiesta bowl Classic hoops tournament tonight at the McKale Center in Tucson, AZ with tip-off set for 8:30 p.m. EST. After 21 years of a four-team tournament format, the Fiesta Bowl Classic has morphed into a one-game showcase event. The Wildcats hold a 41-1 all-time record in Fiesta Bowl Classic play. The game is televised by FSN.
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The Tigers come to Tucson having won six of its last seven games, including an 88-63 win over Austin Peay on Dec. 14. As a team, Memphis averages 82.2 points per game, shoots 45.4 percent (295-of-650) from the field and out rebounds the opposition by a +5.7 per game margin. Five Tigers average in double figures, led by Chris Douglas-Roberts’ 16.7 points per game figure. Joey Dorsey leads the club with a 9.7 rebounds per game mark.
Arizona got a balanced offensive effort, held Houston to 30 points below its season scoring average and posted a +32 rebound advantage in earning a decisive 87-62 win Sunday night. Five Wildcats finished in double figures, led by Ivan Radenovic and Marcus Williams who each collected double-doubles, and the team shot better than 50 percent for the fifth time this season. By contrast, Houston shot a season-low 31.2 percent from the field.
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The Wildcats were installed minus 7 ½-point favorites at most offshore and Las Vegas sports-books and are playing on home-court where they are 5-0 on the season and 4-1 ATS. Arizona has reeled off eight straight wins since opening the season with a 93-90 loss at Virginia and four in a row ATS. The betting public appears to view Arizona’s giving 7 ½ -points to be a bit extreme and are laying their money on the Tigers at a 71% clip.
Arizona might be the play here due to the fact that the McKale Center is home-court where the Cats traditionally fare well. Also, Memphis has not provided good value to its betting supporters failing to cover in 6-of-9 contests ATS and have failed to cover in five of its last six games.
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I am going to roll with what the numbers tell me and and go against the public in this game and take Arizona minus the 7 ½-points.
