Is #7 Arizona a Winning Pick For 2017 NCAA Championship?

The seventh-ranked Arizona Wildcats (27-4 SU, 15-14-2 ATS) are looking like one of the very best teams in the nation as they head into the 2017 March Madness national championship tournament. If you’re wondering whether the Cats are worthy of a wager against their value-packed 2017 national championship odds, then you’re going to find out right now thanks to the expert betting breakdown you’re going to get on the desert-based national title contender. Let’s get started.

Is No. 7 Arizona a Winning Pick For 2017 NCAA Championship?

   

2017 National Championship Odds

Arizona 15/1

The Good

The Wildcats have won seven of their last eight games including their 92-78 spanking over Colorado in their Pac-12 tournament quarterfinal win on Thursday despite falling to No. 6 UCLA during that stretch, so they’ve got some good momentum going. Arizona is also very solid defensively in ranking 33rd nationally in points allowed (64.7 ppg), 61st in defensive field goal percentage (41.5%) and 26th in three-point field goal percentage (31.3%). The Wildcats also have a pair of likely future NBA performers in guard Alonzo Trier (16.4 ppg) and 7-0 center Lauri Markkanen (15.2 ppg).

The Bad

The Wildcats are monstrous defensively, but they often struggle to score the ball as they rank an uninspiring 126th nationally in scoring (75.2 ppg) and 118th in rebounding (36.8 rpg). Arizona also didn’t play the toughest schedule in the world with their best non-conference matchups being a 69-65 loss to Butler and a 69-62 loss to previously No. 1 Gonzaga.

The Bottom Line

While Arizona struggles to score the ball, they are still outstanding defensively and should be able to get past all of their early round opponents because of it. Still, I’m thinking the Wildcats will be looking at an Elite Eight appearance at the very best and a possible Sweet 16 exit.