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No. 4 Arizona vs. No. 5 Oregon: Round of 32 Betting Preview
After breezing through their first-round matchups, former Pac-12 rivals Arizona and Oregon meet again Sunday night in the Round of 32 in Seattle. While this East Region showdown has an odd geographic label, it’s got a full West Coast feel—with Oregon fans making the short trip up I-5 and Arizona looking to flex its offensive firepower once more.
Oregon Ducks (25-9) – Momentum and Matchup Edge?
Oregon made quick work of Liberty, throttling the Flames 81-52 behind a blistering start. The Ducks hit seven of their first nine shots en route to an 18-2 lead and never looked back, cruising to a 29-point victory while shooting 54.4% from the field.
Freshman Jackson Shelstad (17 points), Nate Bittle (14 points, 10 rebounds), and Keeshawn Barthelemy (10 points) led the charge, and the Ducks’ defense held Liberty to just 35.1% shooting. With Bittle patrolling the paint and Oregon’s guards controlling tempo, they dominated wire to wire.
One key betting note: Oregon is now 6-1 ATS (against the spread) in its last seven games and has found a defensive identity that could pose problems for Arizona.
Arizona Wildcats (23-12) – Can They Keep the Pace?
Arizona put on an offensive clinic against Akron, torching the Zips 93-65 behind 56.5% shooting from the field and a lethal 12-for-25 (48%) from deep. Once the Wildcats got separation in the first half, they never looked back, building a lead as large as 34 points.
Despite the blowout win, star guard Caleb Love finished with just 10 points, well below his 16.4 PPG average, though he added seven rebounds. Arizona, which led the Big 12 in both scoring (82.1 PPG) and rebounding (40.0 RPG), will need a strong effort on the boards against an Oregon squad that has a clear size advantage with Bittle anchoring the paint.
A key trend for bettors: Arizona has failed to cover in three of its last four games as a favorite of six or more points. They’ll need Love and their supporting cast to deliver against a well-balanced Oregon squad.
Revenge Factor? Season Series Recap
These teams are no strangers. Arizona swept Oregon in the regular season, but the Ducks punched back with a 67-59 upset win in the Pac-12 tournament semifinals. That game showcased Oregon’s defensive ability, holding Arizona to its lowest scoring total in two months.
Oregon coach Dana Altman knows how to game-plan for elite teams, and the Ducks have won five straight ATS as an underdog—a number that’s hard to ignore for bettors looking at the spread.
Betting Outlook & Best Angle
Oddsmakers will likely price this game close, with Arizona as a slight favorite, but Oregon is playing some of its best basketball at the right time. With their ability to control tempo and an emerging star in Shelstad, the Ducks are live dogs in this spot.
📌 Key Betting Trends to Watch:
✅ Oregon is 6-1 ATS in its last seven games
✅ Arizona has failed to cover in three of its last four as a favorite of 6+ points
✅ Oregon has won five straight ATS as an underdog
🚨 Best Bet: Oregon +4.5 Points
With a trip to the Sweet 16 on the line, expect a physical, intense battle. If Oregon can dictate pace and force tough shots, another tournament upset could be brewing.
