Wisconsin vs. Arizona

The Elite 8 will get underway tonight as the Arizona Wildcats take on the Wisconsin Badgers. The Wildcats were cruising along at 21-0, when they suffered a serious setback with the injury of Brandon Ashley. Ashley contributed 11.5 points per game and 5.8 rebounds per game. The result in the game he went down was a 2-point loss, and shortly after a 3-point overtime loss to Arizona State. The Wildcats have learned to play without him, having gone 10-2 in their last 12 games. The Wildcats have since become a better offensive team. After scoring 80+ just once in a 19-game stretch, they have now posted 80+ in 3 of their last 11, and have gotten to 70 or more in 8 of 11. Wisconsin is a different team this season, one that is led by offense, not defense. The Badgers have posted 77.4 ppg in five postseason tilts, but the defense is not what they typically have brought to the table in recent years. I think a surging Arizona offense, along with a strong defensive presence will get the job done here tonight. The Wildcats own a 20-8 ATS mark in their last 28 outside of conference play, including a perfect 4-0 ATS in their last four vs. the Big-10. Wisconsin has played four of their last five to the OVER when coming off a win, while Zona has logged four straight to the OVER with a vastly improved offense down the stretch. Play Arizona and take the OVER.