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The biggest matchup in college basketball this season takes place on Saturday when the #1 Arizona Wildcats (8-0, 8-0 ATS) take on the #3 Purdue Boilermakers (9-1, 6-2-2 ATS). This game is part of the Indy Classic and will take place on a neutral court. Arizona just ran #23 Wisconsin off the floor, winning 98-73 at home and covering as 9.5-point favorites. Purdue just took on Alabama in Toronto, defeating the Crimson Tide 92-86, and just barely covered the spread as 5.5-point favorites. These teams did not meet last season. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:30 from the Gainbridge Fieldhouse, the home of the Indiana Pacers, and can be found on Peacock.
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Arizona is the last team in the nation that is undefeated straight up and against the spread. The Wildcats had their fair share of easy games, but also played defeated #2 Duke, #21 Michigan State and #23 Wisconsin. The Wildcats are deep, they have five players averaging double figures, with future pros and 7-footers on the roster. In their last game, all five starters reached double figures, led by guard Pelle Larson with 21 points in the win over Wisconsin.
The Wildcats are led in scoring by UNC-transfer Caleb Love with 14.1 PPG. Love is an athletic 6'4 guard and is the best perimeter defender on the team with 1.6 steals per game. Love also averages 5.0 RPG and 4.5 APG. Kylan Boswell is the best pro prospect on the team, the 6'2 sophomore is projected as the 19th pick in the draft by NBADraft.net and averages 12.4 PPG and 4.8 APG. Boswell is also the top shooter on the team with 21 made thr ees on the year. Keshad Johnson is an athletic power forward adding 12.6 PPG and 6.9 RPG, while Pelle Larson is a guard with good size on the perimeter at 6'6 and adds 12.3 PPG. The Wildcats are huge inside with 7'0 Oumar Ballo (12.5 PPG, 6.3 RPG) and 7'2 Motiejus Krivas (8.9 PPG, 5.0 RPG).
Arizona is currently 1st in the AP Poll, and rank 2nd according to KenPom, only trailing Houston. The Wildcats rank 6th in offensive efficiency and 2nd in defensive efficiency. The Wildcats play at a break-neck pace offensively, they play at the 6th fastest tempo in the nation.