Cal Poly Mustangs will play the Arizona Wildcats at McKale Center in Tucson. The game is set for Thursday, November 5, 2026, at 10:30 PM ET. Viewers can catch the action on truT.
Cal Poly comes into this game with a 1-0 record. They recently defeated Cal State San Marcos Cougars, with Cayden Ward and Hamad Mousa leading the way. Ward scored 15 points and Mousa added 18 points.
Arizona Wildcats hold an AP rank of #5 despite their recent loss to UCLA. Ivan Kharchenkov's performance against UCLA was notable, scoring 38 points. The Wildcats are looking to bounce back and secure a win at home.
Arizona vs Cal Poly At a Glance
- Matchup: Cal Poly Mustangs vs #5 Arizona Wildcats
- Venue: McKale Center, Tucson AZ
- Date & Time: Thursday, November 5, 2026 at 10:30 PM ET
- TV Channel: truT
- Arizona Odds: Spread -30.5, MoneyLine -50000
- Cal Poly Record: 1-0 in 2027 Regular Season
Arizona Wildcats Ready to Turn the Corner in Upcoming Game
Offensive Performance
The Arizona Wildcats average 75.0 points per game, putting them in the middle of the pack. They attempt 60 field goals per game, but their shooting accuracy is at 36.7%. From behind the arc, they struggle, making only 23.3% of their three-point attempts.
Free throws are a strength, as they make 24 per game on average, hitting 80.0% from the line. With 44.0 rebounds per game, they are active on the boards. Their assists stand at 13.0 per game, reflecting a team that shares the ball but could improve on offensive efficiency.
Defensive Efforts
Defensively, the Wildcats excel in steals, averaging 3.0 per game. However, they need to work on their blocking, with only 7.0 blocks on the season. Turnovers are at 11.0 per game, an area that requires attention to maintain possession.
They commit 19.0 fouls per game, which is higher than desired. Keeping opponents off the free-throw line could be key in their future games. Improving these defensive aspects might help them secure more wins.
Key Players
Ivan Kharchenkov shines with 38.0 points and 10.0 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 60.0%, making him a pivotal part of the team's offense. Derek Dixon adds 18.0 points and 5.0 rebounds per game, though he could improve his shooting percentage from 29.4%.
Motiejus Krivas contributes 8.0 points and 9.0 rebounds per game, along with 6.0 blocks. His presence in the paint is critical for the team's defense. Caleb Holt, JJ Mandaquit, and Cameron Holmes round out the roster with supporting roles.
Injury Concerns
The team faces some uncertainty with RJ Godfrey and Endurance Aiyamenkhue. Godfrey is dealing with eligibility issues, while Aiyamenkhue has a lower leg injury. Their statuses remain questionable, which could impact team dynamics.
Team Betting Trends
- SU Last 3: 0-1 (0.0%)
- SU Last 5: 0-1 (0.0%)
- SU Last 10: 0-1 (0.0%)
- SU All Games: 0-1 (0.0%)
- SU as Favorite: 0-1 (0.0%)
- ATS Last 3: 0-1 (0.0%)
- ATS Last 5: 0-1 (0.0%)
- ATS Last 10: 0-1 (0.0%)
- ATS All Games: 0-1 (0.0%)
- ATS as Favorite: 0-1 (0.0%)
- O/U Last 3: 1-0 (100.0%)
- O/U Last 5: 1-0 (100.0%)
- O/U Last 10: 1-0 (100.0%)
- O/U All Games: 1-0 (100.0%)
Cal Poly Mustangs Prepare for a Challenging Game
Team Overview
The Cal Poly Mustangs head into the game with an average of 78 points per game. Their performance ranks them 188th in scoring across the league. The team's field goal percentage stands at 44.3%, placing them 205th in this category.
Cal Poly's rebounding is a strength, with an impressive 59 rebounds per game. This places them 10th in the nation. The Mustangs' pace of play is high, averaging 78.8 possessions per game, ranking 61st.
Key Players
Hamad Mousa is a player to watch, averaging 18 points and 7 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 45.5%, making him a reliable scorer for the Mustangs.
Cayden Ward contributes significantly with 15 points and 11 rebounds per game. His shooting accuracy is notable at 60%, and he also averages 5 assists per game.
Recent Performance
In their recent game against Cal State San Marcos, the Mustangs secured a 78-62 victory. Cayden Ward and Hamad Mousa were standout performers in this game.
Ward delivered 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Mousa added 18 points and 7 rebounds. This victory set a positive tone for the Mustangs this season.
Offensive Strategy
The Mustangs rely on their three-point shooting, with 12 made per game. They attempt 35 threes per game, ranking them 27th in attempts.
Despite their reliance on the three-point shot, Cal Poly needs to improve their free throw percentage, which stands at 57.1%. This is an area that could be key in tight games.
Defensive Focus
Defensively, the Mustangs average 7 steals per game. However, they have room for improvement in blocking, with only 6 per game, ranking them 352nd.
Cal Poly's defensive strategy will need to focus on reducing fouls, as they currently commit 21 per game. This ranks them 318th and could pose challenges in close contests.
Cal Poly Mustangs Betting Trends
- SU Last 3: 1-0 (100.0%)
- SU Last 5: 1-0 (100.0%)
- SU Last 10: 1-0 (100.0%)
- SU All Games: 1-0 (100.0%)
Arizona vs Cal Poly Prediction: Cal Poly +30.5
Arizona, ranked 5th, is a strong team, but they recently lost to Michigan by a considerable margin. Their current season record stands at 0-1, and they are struggling with shooting, having a field goal percentage of 36.7. This makes the -30.5 spread challenging for them to cover against Cal Poly.
Cal Poly, from the Big West, began their season with a win and is scoring an average of 78 points per game. They have proven they can shoot from beyond the arc, making 12 three-pointers per game. Their ability to score might help them stay within the +30.5 spread.
The head-to-head history shows Arizona usually wins by a large margin. However, Cal Poly's rebounding ability, ranked 10th, can limit Arizona’s second-chance points, which might help keep the game closer. Arizona's struggles against the spread, being 0-1 ATS this season, adds weight to picking Cal Poly +30.5.
Considering these factors, a projected final score could be Arizona 88 - Cal Poly 63. Cal Poly's pace and shooting can allow them to stay within the spread, even if they don't win the game.
- Arizona vs Cal Poly Prediction: Cal Poly +30.5
- Arizona vs Cal Poly Score: Arizona 88 - Cal Poly 63
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