Arizona Wildcats Dominate Cal Poly Mustangs in Season Opener
Thursday, November 5, 2026, 10:30 PM ET · McKale Center at ALKEME Arena
Arizona Wildcats 104, Cal Poly Mustangs 84, final. Our NCAAB picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Cal Poly Mustangs vs Arizona Wildcats?
Arizona Wildcats beat Cal Poly Mustangs 104-84 at McKale Center at ALKEME Arena on November 5, 2026.
Who was favored in Cal Poly Mustangs vs Arizona Wildcats?
Arizona Wildcats were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -100000 (about 100% implied). The favorite won.
In a decisive victory, the Arizona Wildcats triumphed over the Cal Poly Mustangs with a final score of 104-84 at the McKale Center at ALKEME Arena. This matchup showcased the Wildcats' offensive prowess, particularly in the second half, where they pulled away significantly after a competitive start.
Both teams entered the game with identical records of 1-1. The Wildcats had a recent form of 9-1 over their last ten games, despite a loss to the UCLA Bruins in their last outing on November 3, 2026. They averaged 79.8 points scored and allowed 70.8 points during this stretch, indicating a strong offensive capability. In contrast, the Mustangs, with a record of 6-4 in their last ten games, were coming off a win against the Cal State San Marcos Cougars, where they scored 78 points. Their average scoring during this period was 81.8 points, but they also allowed 78.3 points per game, reflecting a less robust defense compared to the Wildcats.
At home, Arizona boasted a perfect record of 6-0, while the Mustangs struggled on the road with an away record of 1-4. This home advantage was palpable as the Wildcats took control of the game early on and maintained their lead throughout. The Wildcats' last five games showed a record of 4-1, with an average of 81.2 points scored and 75.2 points allowed, further emphasizing their strong form.
Historically, the Wildcats have had the upper hand in previous meetings, and this game continued that trend. The Mustangs faced an uphill battle, particularly given their away record and the Wildcats' home dominance. The injury picture for both teams did not appear to significantly impact the game, as both sides fielded their key players.
The betting market, as reported by DraftKings, had Arizona heavily favored with a spread of -31.5 and a moneyline of -100000. In contrast, Cal Poly was listed at +5000 on the moneyline, indicating a significant disparity in expectations for the matchup. The total for the game was set at 174.5, reflecting an anticipated high-scoring affair, which ultimately came to fruition with a combined score of 188 points.
Conditions in the arena were conducive to a high-paced game, with both teams demonstrating a willingness to push the tempo. The Wildcats' scoring was highlighted by a series of impressive plays in the second half, including multiple three-point shots and effective free-throw shooting. Key moments included Cayden Ward's assists leading to crucial baskets by Jason Scott and Hamad Mousa, which helped extend Arizona's lead.
Viewers were treated to a display of offensive skill, particularly from the Wildcats, who capitalized on their home court advantage. The final score of 104-84 not only marked a strong performance from Arizona but also set the tone for their upcoming games in the season.
What we said beforehand
The Arizona Wildcats will host the Cal Poly Mustangs at the McKale Center at ALKEME Arena on November 6, 2026. This game is particularly interesting as the Wildcats, despite their recent loss, have been a strong team at home historically, and they will look to bounce back against the Mustangs after a disappointing start to the season.
In their last five games, the Arizona Wildcats have a record of 4-1. They recently secured wins against the Utah State Aggies (78-66), Arkansas Razorbacks (109-88), and Purdue Boilermakers (79-64), but faced setbacks against the Michigan Wolverines (91-73) and UCLA Bruins (84-75). Over these games, the Wildcats have averaged 81.2 points scored and allowed 75.2 points, showcasing their offensive capabilities but also indicating some defensive vulnerabilities.
On the other hand, the Cal Poly Mustangs have a record of 2-3 in their last five games. They recently won against the Cal State San Marcos Cougars (78-62) but lost to UC San Diego Tritons (69-72), UC Irvine Anteaters (85-107), and suffered a previous defeat against the Tritons (64-80). The Mustangs have averaged 80.8 points scored and 79.4 points allowed in their last five games, indicating a competitive scoring ability but also a tendency to concede points.
When considering their home and away performances, Arizona has a strong home record of 6-0 over their last ten games, with an average of 79.8 points scored and 70.8 points allowed. In contrast, Cal Poly's away record stands at 1-4, which reflects their struggles outside of their home venue. The Wildcats will be looking to leverage their home advantage to secure a much-needed victory.
In terms of individual performances, Ivan Kharchenkov leads the Wildcats with an impressive 38.0 points per game, alongside 10.0 rebounds. JJ Mandaquit contributes significantly with 6.0 assists per game. For the Mustangs, Hamad Mousa is their top scorer with 18.0 points per game, while Jackson Mosley adds 5.0 assists, and Cayden Ward leads in rebounds with 11.0.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, has set the odds with Arizona favored by 30.5 points on the spread, and the total points line is set at 174.5. The moneyline reflects a significant disparity, with Arizona at -100000 and Cal Poly at 5000, indicating a strong expectation for the Wildcats to win.
As the game approaches, conditions in the arena will likely be favorable for a high-scoring affair, given the teams' offensive capabilities. Viewers should watch for how Arizona's offense, led by Kharchenkov, matches up against Cal Poly's defense, as well as how the Mustangs respond to the Wildcats’ home crowd. The performance of both teams' key players will be crucial in determining the outcome of this matchup.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | ARIZ -31.5 | 174.5 o -110 / u -110 | Cal Poly Mustangs +5000 · Arizona Wildcats -100000 |
Leaders
- PointsMotiejus Krivas30Arizona Wildcats
- AssistsIvan Kharchenkov7Arizona Wildcats
- ReboundsIvan Kharchenkov10Arizona Wildcats
- PointsHamad Mousa30Cal Poly Mustangs
- AssistsHamad Mousa3Cal Poly Mustangs
- ReboundsAli Assran5Cal Poly Mustangs
Recent form
Arizona Wildcats
Last 10: 9-1Streak L179.8 scored · 70.8 allowed per game6-0 at home
- L75-84at UCLA BruinsNov 3
- W79-74vs Houston CougarsMar 14
- W82-80vs Iowa State CyclonesMar 13
- W81-59vs UCF KnightsMar 12
- W89-79at Colorado BuffaloesMar 8
- W73-57vs Iowa State CyclonesMar 3
- W84-61vs Kansas JayhawksFeb 28
- W87-80at Baylor BearsFeb 25
- W73-66at Houston CougarsFeb 21
- W75-68vs BYU CougarsFeb 19
Cal Poly Mustangs
Last 10: 6-4Streak W181.8 scored · 78.3 allowed per game1-4 away
- W78-62vs Cal State San Marcos CougarsNov 3
- L69-72at UC San Diego TritonsMar 12
- W108-76vs Cal State Bakersfield RoadrunnersMar 8
- L85-107at UC Irvine AnteatersMar 6
- L64-80at UC San Diego TritonsMar 1
- W102-92vs Long Beach State BeachFeb 27
- W86-75at Hawai'i Rainbow WarriorsFeb 20
- W89-79vs UC Santa Barbara GauchosFeb 15
- W79-73vs UC Irvine AnteatersFeb 13
- L58-67at UC Davis AggiesFeb 7
Standings
| Team | Overall | Games behind | In conference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cal State Bakersfield | 1-0 | - | 0-0 |
| Sacramento State | 1-0 | - | 0-0 |
| UC Irvine | 1-0 | - | 0-0 |
| UC Riverside | 1-0 | - | 0-0 |
| UC San Diego | 1-0 | - | 0-0 |
| UC Santa Barbara | 1-0 | - | 0-0 |
| Utah Valley | 1-0 | - | 0-0 |
| Cal Poly | 1-1 | - | 0-0 |
| Cal State Fullerton | 0-1 | - | 0-0 |
| Cal State Northridge | 0-1 | - | 0-0 |
| California Baptist | 0-1 | - | 0-0 |
| Long Beach State | 0-1 | - | 0-0 |
| Cincinnati | 2-0 | - | 0-0 |
| Texas Tech | 2-0 | - | 0-0 |
| Utah | 2-0 | - | 0-0 |
| Arizona State | 1-0 | - | 0-0 |
| BYU | 1-0 | - | 0-0 |
| Baylor | 1-0 | - | 0-0 |
| Colorado | 1-0 | - | 0-0 |
| Houston | 1-0 | - | 0-0 |
| Kansas | 1-0 | - | 0-0 |
| Oklahoma State | 1-0 | - | 0-0 |
| TCU | 1-0 | - | 0-0 |
| UCF | 1-0 | - | 0-0 |
| West Virginia | 1-0 | - | 0-0 |
| Arizona | 1-1 | - | 0-0 |
| Iowa State | 0-1 | - | 0-0 |
| Kansas State | 0-1 | - | 0-0 |
Box score
| Stat | Cal Poly Mustangs | Arizona Wildcats |
|---|---|---|
| Field goals | 29-66 | 36-66 |
| Field goal % | 44 | 55 |
| Three-pointers | 16-37 | 4-14 |
| Three-point % | 43 | 29 |
| Free throws | 10-21 | 28-36 |
| Free throw % | 48 | 78 |
| Rebounds | 30 | 44 |
| Offensive rebounds | 13 | 15 |
| Defensive rebounds | 17 | 29 |
| Assists | 15 | 22 |
| Steals | 6 | 14 |
| Blocks | 0 | 3 |
| Turnovers | 19 | 13 |
| Team turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Technical fouls, total | 0 | 0 |
| Flagrant fouls | 0 | 0 |
| Points off turnovers | 13 | 25 |
| Fast-break points | 15 | 17 |
| Points in the paint | 26 | 56 |
| Fouls | 27 | 18 |
| Largest lead | 2 | 29 |
| Lead changes | 1 | 1 |
| Time in front | 1 | 97 |
How the scoring went
- 2nd Half48-67Hamad Mousa makes 26-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half48-69Derek Dixon makes 17-foot jumper (JJ Mandaquit assists)
- 2nd Half50-69Ali Assran makes layup (Jess Esso Essis assists)
- 2nd Half50-70JJ Mandaquit makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half50-71JJ Mandaquit makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half53-71Jason Scott makes 23-foot three point jumper (Austin Goode assists)
- 2nd Half53-73Derek Dixon makes 14-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half56-73Hamad Mousa makes 24-foot three point step back jumpshot
- 2nd Half56-75Motiejus Krivas makes 2-foot dunk (Ivan Kharchenkov assists)
- 2nd Half56-76Motiejus Krivas makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half56-77Motiejus Krivas makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half56-79Motiejus Krivas makes 2-foot dunk (Caleb Holt assists)
- 2nd Half56-80Caleb Holt makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half56-81Caleb Holt makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half56-83Motiejus Krivas makes layup
- 2nd Half56-85Ivan Kharchenkov makes layup
- 2nd Half59-85Hamad Mousa makes 25-foot three point jumper
- 2nd Half59-86Motiejus Krivas makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half59-87Motiejus Krivas makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half61-87Troy Plumtree makes layup (Austin Goode assists)
- 2nd Half61-89Motiejus Krivas makes layup (Ivan Kharchenkov assists)
- 2nd Half63-89Troy Plumtree makes driving layup
- 2nd Half63-90Cameron Holmes makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half63-91Cameron Holmes makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half66-91Hamad Mousa makes 23-foot three point jumper (Troy Plumtree assists)
- 2nd Half66-94Derek Dixon makes 24-foot three point jumper (Evan Otten assists)
- 2nd Half69-94Austin Goode makes 23-foot three point jumper (Hamad Mousa assists)
- 2nd Half69-96Caleb Holt makes driving layup
- 2nd Half71-96Cayden Ward makes layup
- 2nd Half71-98Caleb Holt makes layup
- 2nd Half71-100Maksim Brnovic makes layup
- 2nd Half72-100Cayden Ward makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half73-100Cayden Ward makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half76-100Hamad Mousa makes 25-foot three point jumper (Cayden Ward assists)
- 2nd Half79-100Jason Scott makes 23-foot three point jumper (Cayden Ward assists)
- 2nd Half79-102Bryce James makes 16-foot pullup jump shot
- 2nd Half82-102Jason Scott makes 23-foot three point jumper (Braden Freeman assists)
- 2nd Half82-103Addison Arnold makes free throw 1 of 2
- 2nd Half82-104Addison Arnold makes free throw 2 of 2
- 2nd Half84-104Jason Scott makes layup (Troy Plumtree assists)
Win probability
Above the line favours Arizona Wildcats, below favours Cal Poly Mustangs.
Venue
- McKale Center at ALKEME ArenaTucson, AZ
- Attendance13989
- OfficialsJohn St. Clair, Keith Patterson
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