San Diego State vs Arizona Basketball Prediction & Picks: Will the scoring continue for the Aztecs in Maui semis?

After opening the Maui Invitational with double-digit wins yesterday, San Diego State and Arizona will meet in tonight’s semifinals with a matchup against a top-ten team in Wednesday’s final awaiting the winner.

The #17 Aztecs continued their unbeaten start with an 88-77 win over Ohio State, while the #14 Wildcats hit the century mark for the third time in four games in a 101-93 win over Cincinnati.

While Arizona is the highest-scoring team in college basketball at this early point of the season, San Diego State’s scoring is certainly something to take note of. Through their first four games this season, the Aztecs have now hit the 80-point mark three times, two more times than they did all of last season.

But with how the Wildcats have been scoring so far, can the Aztecs keep up tonight? Keep reading for my look at a key for the matchup, along with my San Diego State vs Arizona prediction and picks.

San Diego State Aztecs vs Arizona Wildcats Matchup Information and Betting Odds

Matchup Information

• Matchup: #17 San Diego State Aztecs (4-0) vs #14 Arizona Wildcats (4-0)
• Venue & Location: Lahaina Civic Center (Maui, Hawaii)
• Date: Tuesday, November 22, 2022
• Game Time: 10:30 pm ET (5:30 pm local time)
• How to Watch San Diego State vs Arizona: ESPN

San Diego State vs Arizona Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline as of Tuesday, November 22, 2022, at 6:00 pm ET. Odds from our other recommended online sportsbooks may also be included in this article.

Spread

• San Diego State +2.5 (-112)
• Arizona -2.5 (-108)

Over/Under

• Over 166.5 (-105)
• Under 166.5 (-115)

Moneyline

• San Diego State +114
• Arizona -137

Can Bradley Build Off of His Big Night Against Ohio State?

San Diego State scoring 80, 82, and 74 points in their first three games this season after averaging only 65.3 points per game last season was quite the notable sight in itself.

But for them to do so with star scorer Matt Bradley contributing very little made it all the more notable. Through his first three games, Bradley, who averaged 16.9 PPG last season, was just 8 for 33 from the field and had scored eight, six, and seven points.

But as the saying goes, form is temporary, but class is permanent, and it was only a matter of time before Bradley found his shot. And he did just that against the Buckeyes yesterday, making 6 of 11 from the field, including 4 of 6 from three, in scoring a season-high 18 points.

If the Aztecs are to have any shot at all of winning this game, Bradley will need to be on target again. When he was at Cal, he faced the Wildcats four times, with his best performance a 21-point effort in Tucson in January of 2021.

Will Arizona’s Depth Be Too Much for the Aztecs to Overcome?

In their win over Cincinnati, Arizona shot 62.3 percent (38 of 61) from the field and 53.3 percent (8 of 15) from three and were led by double-doubles from big men Azuolas Tubelis (30 points, 11 rebounds) and Oumar Ballo (21 points, 10 rebounds).

All in all, five Wildcats scored in double figures, including Texas transfer Courtney Ramey, who scored 17 points in his Arizona debut after missing the first three games.

Through four games, six Arizona players are averaging double 10+ points per game, with Tubelis (22.5 PPG, 8.5 RPG) and Ballo (18.0 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 1.8 BPG) topping the charts.

The international duo of Kerr Kriisa and Pelle Larsson have started well, and Ramey isn’t the only impact transfer in Arizona’s ranks, as Campbell transfer Cedric Henderson Jr. has gone for 20 and 14 in his last two games.

San Diego State vs Arizona Prediction and Picks

San Diego State vs Arizona Prediction: Arizona to win

San Diego State vs Arizona Picks: Arizona ML (Best Value: -125 at BetMGM) & Arizona team total over (Best Value: over 83.5 @ -110 at Bovada Sportsbook)

Can San Diego State contain Arizona’s numerous threats? As much as the Aztecs are known for their defense, it feels like too much to ask for them to keep the Wildcats under 80.

And while the scoring that they have done so far proves that the ability is there if they want to tap into it, I think Arizona will do it just a bit better tonight.

It may be a late game on a Tuesday night, but I highly recommend staying up to watch it, whether or not you have a stake in it.

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