Washington vs. Arizona: How to watch, odds, predictions from ESPN, KenPom

As Pac-12 play gets rolling, Washington has a very difficult challenge ahead tonight as they head into the McKale Center and try to knock off a Top-5 Arizona team. The Huskies will be trying to end a three-game losing streak in doing so as the Wildcats are currently riding a streak of seven straight in the win column.

Ahead of an important game out west, predictions and odds have now been released for what’s going to go down out in Tuscon tonight.

How to watch Washington vs. Arizona

Tip-off: 11 p.m. EST

Location: McKale Center (Tuscon, Arizona)

Channel: FS1

Vegas odds

Arizona is a 17.5-point favorite over Washington on Thursday, according to VegasInsider. The over-under is set at 154.5 points.

ESPN BPI prediction

Predicted winner: Arizona

Predicted point differential: 21.3

Win probability (for Arizona): 95.4%

Matchup quality: 67.7

ESPN’s College Basketball Power Index (BPI) is a tool that measures team strength and uses that to predict outcomes of future performances. ESPN’s BPI has Washington vs. Arizona ranked as the 14th highest-rated game on Thursday’s slate in terms of matchup quality.

KenPom prediction

Predicted final score: 87-69

Win probability (for Arizona): 95%

KenPom is another tool that provides advanced analysis across college basketball. Like ESPN, KenPom projects that the Wildcats will come away with an eighth victory over the Huskies.

More on Washington vs. Arizona

Washington actually had a decent start to their season at 9-3. However, they’ve dropped their last three by an average of 20.3 points per game to Auburn, USC, and UCLA. That’s a rough run against stout competition and it won’t get any easier tonight. Getting some stops tonight will naturally be crucial, but finding some points will go a long way in helping them make a run at the Wildcats. That means someone else will have to step up beyond Keion Brooks, who currently leads Washington in at 16.2 points per game.

As for Arizona, they’ve ripped off seven wins in a row after an opening loss to conference play at Utah. That stretch includes wins over Indiana, Tennessee, and, most recently, Arizona State. Now, as they really dive into the Pac-12, it’ll be steadily improving their defense as their offense is already good enough to win them several games. As they’re Top-5 in points per game, offensive rating, and adjusted efficiency on offense, Azuolas Tubelis and his teammates will be a load for the Huskies to defend in what could be a lop-sided matchup in the end.