NORTHERN ARIZONA LUMBERJACKS @ ARIZ

Tucson stop on a demanding road start

Arizona hosts at McKale Center at ALKEME Arena for a 7 p.m. MST ESPN+ tip; this is NAU’s third straight road game.

Recent series history favors Arizona

Arizona leads the all-time series 104-25, has won 35 straight since NAU’s last victory in 1968, and won last season’s meeting 84-49.

Turnovers remain NAU’s pressure point

NAU averages 17 turnovers through two games, and opponents have converted them into 21.5 points per game; Lloyd said Arizona recently lost the loose-ball battle.

Komin is NAU’s early offensive engine

Komin has consecutive 20-point games and averages 22.5 points and 4.0 assists; Abelman and Toukam have each reached double figures in both games.

Arizona has a productive frontcourt pair

Krivas averages 19.0 points and 8.5 rebounds, while Kharchenkov averages 27.0 points and 10.0 rebounds through two games. The pair gives Arizona a clear interior and scoring advantage, though Lloyd said Arizona lost the rebounding battle.

Arizona injury note

Endurance Aiyamenkhue is listed out with a leg injury; no NAU injury update is available.

Pick Ideas

Angles drawn from the matchup analysis above and refreshed as the news changes. They are a separate read from the LineCrush pick for this matchup, so the two can land on different sides.

Arizona moneyline, subject to price

Arizona is the side to consider for a straight-up win, but the moneyline is unavailable, so wait for a posted number. Lloyd said the Wildcats have a lot of new guys playing new roles.

Totals: wait for a market number

A small over lean is reasonable only below 165; Lloyd said UCLA’s game plan recently took Arizona out of its rhythm, so pass at higher numbers while no total is listed.