Washington vs. Arizona score predictions

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Will the Wildcats end the regular season on a high note?

The Arizona Wildcats will look to close the regular season out on a high note on Saturday at 8 p.m. MST when they host the Washington Huskies.

Arizona needs to win to have a shot a first-round bye in the Pac-12 Tournament. The Wildcats beat the Huskies 75-72 in Seattle earlier in the season.

Will they win Part 2? Here is what our staff thinks.

Brian J. Pedersen — Arizona wins 78-71

Regardless of what seed Arizona gets in the Pac-12 tournament it has to head to Vegas with some momentum if it wants any shot at making a run at the title. Washington isn't your ordinary last-place team (just ask ASU) and has nothing but pride to play for. The Wildcats want to send off their many seniors/one-and-dones on a high note while also giving an on-the-ledge fanbase a reason to still have hope.

Matthew Rein — Arizona wins 71-66

UW looked much better against ASU on Thursday than their record suggests, and frankly, they have vastly underachieved this year. That being said, given their win against ASU, I’d expect the Huskies to come in with some momentum and a “nothing to lose” attitude. Arizona, on the other hand, is fighting for PAC 12 and NCAA Tournament seeding. A win and the Cats have a decent chance for a first round bye. A loss might see Arizona not only playing an extra game in Las Vegas, but adds another ding to the tournament resume.

I think Arizona is able to pull this game out. I’m encouraged by Nico Mannion’s better play, and even without the depth of Chase Jeter and Max Hazzard, having Josh Green back in action just makes this team so much better. UW will come to play, but it won’t be enough.

Adam Green — Arizona wins 75-65

The best part of this Arizona team is just when you think you have them figured out you soon realize you don’t. Their win over Washington State was nice — especially that second half — and if they can play like that the rest of the way then few teams could beat them.

Of course, if they play like they did in the first half then pretty much any team can beat them.

Their opponent, Washington, has talent. There are a couple of NBA first-rounders in their starting lineup and with how they looked against ASU on Thursday you would believe even more talent. The Wildcats beat them on the road a couple months back in a close affair, which heading into this game probably means nothing at all.

If the Wildcats can make open shots, they’ll win this game. If they make open shots and rebound the basketball, they’ll win this game comfortably.

Since it’s senior day let’s just say Arizona takes care of business because maybe we deserve nice things after all.

Christian Mortensen — Arizona wins 78-68

In the position they are currently in in the conference standings, Washington comes to McKale as a dangerous sleeper team, but Arizona should definitely win this game in all reality.

The Wildcats have been like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde all season, but I think they have enough to get this win on “senior night.”

The only way I don’t see that happening is if the UA comes out and underestimates the Huskies and end up getting punched in the mouth.

I just don’t see that happening.

Ryan Kelapire — Arizona wins 75-68

Washington is capable of pulling off an upset because of its sheer talent and zone defense, so it wouldn’t be the most surprising thing in the world. But the key stat in this game is turnovers. Arizona is the best in the conference at taking care of the ball; Washington is the worst.

As we know, the Wildcats are at their best when they are in transition, so the Huskies will uncharacteristically need to find a way to limit their turnovers and slow this game down.

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