San Diego St. vs Arizona West Region Handicapping
Top-seeded Arizona will face the San Diego Aztecs for the second time with a spot in the Elite Eight on the line, when the two collide at the Honda Center in Anaheim on Thursday night. [ad-4468020]
2014 NCAA Tournament Free Picks
West Bracket – Sweet 16
Date/Time: 10:17 p.m. EST, Thursday, March 27, 2014
Venue: : Honda Center, Anaheim, California
Broadcast: TNT
Spread: -6.5 Arizona
Over/Under: 122.5
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The fourth-seeded Aztecs fell to the Wildcats earlier in the year, 69-60, and will rely on their stingy defense that has kept them alive in the tournament so far.
That defense needed a little extra time to show New Mexico State the door in the Aztecs first round matchup, but followed up holding North Dakota State’s high powered offense to just 44 points in the second round.
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That’s all the Aztecs offense needed, as Xavier Thames was unstoppable with 30 points and five assists with Dwayne Polee II following with 15 points and six boards.
On the season, San Diego State allows opponents to shot just 39.4 percent, and held the Bison to 32 percent. They have also not allowed a 70-point performance in 20 straight games.
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Meanwhile, Thames has scored 53 points and racked up 10 assists in this tournament, but will face his toughest test thus far against an Arizona team, which after stumbling in its opening victory over Weber State, rebounded nicely to look like the number one team in the country in their 84-61 rout of Gonzaga in round two.
The Wildcats offense stepped on the gas early and jumped out to a healthy13-point lead, while the defense shut down the Bulldogs, holding them to 40 percent from the field while forcing 21 turnovers.
Aaron Gordon and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson hit 18 points each with 11 yanks, while Nick Johnson chipped in with 17.
Arizona averages 73.2 points on 47.1 percent shooting and allows 58.2 points on 38 percent shooting.
Sweet 16 Free Pick
San Diego State — Although the Wildcats won the first meeting this season, they did have Brandon Ashley in the lineup.
With Ashley sidelined with an injury, I actually think the Aztecs can win this game with their staunch defense and a hot Thames.
Arizona has shown its ability to fold offensively, which could be a huge problem against this Aztecs’ defense.
I’ll take San Diego State and the points here.
