Pac-12 Conference Tournament - Semifinals
MGM Grand Arena – Las Vegas, NV
Tip-off: Friday, 9:00 p.m. ET
Line: Arizona -11, Total: 129

Colorado has a chance to bolster its NCAA Tournament resume when it faces Arizona, which is trying to secure a top seed in the big dance, in the Pac-12 tournament semifinals on Friday night.

The Wildcats (19-12 ATS, 10-9 ATS in Pac-12) have crushed the Buffaloes this season, winning both of the matchups by an average of 19.5 points, including a dominating 27-point victory in Boulder on Feb. 22. In Arizona’s first tournament win against Utah, the Wildcats coasted to a 71-39 victory, outshooting the Utes 53% FG to 26% FG. The defense of the Wildcats has been the calling card the entire season, ranking fourth in the nation in scoring defense (58.1 PPG allowed). This defense could play a big role Friday, as the Buffaloes have scored only 59 points in back-to-back wins against USC and California to open the Pac-12 Tournament. While the Buffaloes defense has also been great in those two games (56.0 PPG on 40.7% FG), those two opponents do not compare to what they will see on Friday night. Colorado (18-14 ATS overall, 10-10 ATS in Pac-12) has not been the same team since superstar guard Spencer Dinwiddie went out with a torn ACL. The Buffaloes have struggled on the offensive end, but PG Askia Booker has played terrific in his past two games, averaging 19.0 PPG and 5.0 RPG. He is the type of player that can catch fire from the field, but he does struggle with inconsistency. If the Buffaloes are looking to get a big victory against Arizona, Booker will have to have another big-time game. These teams are an even 4-4 ATS versus each other over the past three seasons with the Wildcats holding the slight 5-3 SU edge.

Can Colorado pull off the huge upset on Friday night? For the latest college basketball picks, check out The Platinum Sheet for all the StatFox Experts selections every week throughout the entire 2013-14 season. The StatFox Experts have been rolling in college basketball Best Bets this season with a stellar 59.4% ATS (271-185-16) mark, including a hefty 61.3% ATS (239-151-10) record since Nov. 23. StatFox Brian is on an amazing Best Bets run of 22-3-2 (88% ATS) since Feb. 6, 31-6-3 (84% ATS) since Jan. 17, and 74% ATS (56-20-3) since Nov. 26 to give him a robust 70% ATS (63-27-4) record in Best Bets for the season. StatFox Dave is 64% ATS (39-22-1) since in Best Bets Dec. 18 and 60% ATS (56-37-2) this season, while StatFox Scott is 68% ATS (13-6-2) since Feb. 16 and 58% ATS (53-38-4) for the season. StatFox Gary is 60% ATS (48-32) on Best Bets since Nov. 22 and 57% ATS (52-40-2) for the season.

The Buffaloes have 23 wins on the season, but a win in this game would have coach Tad Boyle a little less stressed on Selection Sunday. Colorado has done a solid job on the glass this year, ranking 42nd in the nation with 37.9 RPG. PF Josh Scott (14.4 PPG, 52% FG, 8.7 RPG) is the biggest reason why the Buffaloes have been so effective on the glass. He had his struggles as a freshman last season, but has taken significant strides as a sophomore. With Dinwiddie out, Scott is now the go-to-guy for the Buffaloes. He is a great rebounder on both ends of the court, as he averages 3.0 offensive RPG as well. The team averages 71.7 PPG (151st in the country), but has really struggled moving the ball (11.7 APG, 253rd in Div. I). That has been where the Buffaloes have missed Dinwiddie the most, as he is a terrific player that makes his teammates better. PG Askia Booker (14.0 PPG, 3.6 RPG, 3.5 APG) and SG Xavier Johnson (12.1 PPG, 6.0 RPG) are both guys that are capable of having big games, but have both struggled with their consistency. The Buffaloes shoot poorly from long distance (31.7% threes), and have made just 28.6% threes (6-of-21) versus Arizona this season. Colorado has a tall task on Friday, but the team has shown the ability to beat top teams, with a pair of wins over then-top-10 schools (Kansas and Oregon). Arizona’s defense has been terrific all season, but has had some problems scoring the ball as well.

The Wildcats are not an elite offense (73.4 PPG, 100th in nation), but they shoot the ball well from the field at 46.9% FG (49th in nation). Like the Buffaloes, Arizona has been great on the glass this season with 38.9 RPG (21st in Div. I). While the Wildcats slow the game down, they are efficient on offense, ranking 46th in the country in assists (15.0 APG) with only 10.5 turnovers per game. PG T.J. McConnell (8.5 PPG, 5.5 APG, 3.7 RPG) will not put up big numbers for the Wildcats, but he does a great job of running the offense for Arizona. The team made it to the Sweet Sixteen last season, but lacked a true point guard. SG Nick Johnson (16.1 PPG, 3.9 RPG, 2.8 APG) has emerged as more of a scorer this season, to go with being one of the best defensive guards in the country. Johnson and freshman PF Aaron Gordon (12.3 PPG, 7.8 RPG) are two of the best athletes at their position in the nation, and this team can be downright scary in the open court. The Wildcats do a great job of turning their defense into offense, and when this trio gets out in the open, it's almost an automatic two points. While SF Brandon Ashley (11.5 PPG, 5.8 RPG) was lost for the season, Arizona still has a solid supporting cast. C Kaleb Tarczewski (10.2 PPG, 58% FG, 6.6 RPG) and PF Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (8.5 PPG, 5.6 RPG) both know their roles on the team, and do a great job of getting second-chance points and opportunities for the team. The Wildcats right now appear to be a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament, and a win in this game should wrap up that top seed close to home in the West bracket.