Andy Altenburger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images. Pictured: Doug Nikhazy #26 of the Ole Miss Rebels.
Ole Miss vs. Arizona Odds & Schedule
Tucson Regional: June 11-13*
| Odds | Game 1 | Series | Futures |
| Ole Miss | +125 | +100 | +2200 |
| Arizona | -150 | -125 | +1800 |
| Odds as of Thursday afternoon and via BetMGM. | |||
- Game 1: Friday, 9 p.m. ET on ESPNU
- Game 2: Saturday, 10 p.m. ET on ESPN2
- Game 3*: Sunday, 9 p.m. ET on ESPN2/ESPNU
Series schedule and programming are subject to change due to flex scheduling and inclement weather.
No. 12 Ole Miss (44-20) vs. No. 5 Arizona (43-15)
Series Betting Analysis
As I often state on social media, “Happy Doug Nikhazy Day.” The Rebels pitcher has notched 11 wins in 15 appearances and has 132 strikeouts in 86.2 innings pitched, making him an auto-play when head coach Mike Bianco gives him the nod.
The opening-game starter may be Derek Diamond, who threw 4.1 innings and allowed no earned runs to Southern Miss in the Oxford regional. The one-two pitching combination of Diamond and Nikhazy may be enough for a patient Rebels offense to strike.
The Ole Miss pitching is backed by an offense that ranks 37th in home runs per game and ranks fifth in strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Arizona started off on the right foot, overcoming Grand Canyon ace Pierson Ohl. The Wildcats swept the remainder of the region by a combined score of 9-2 over UC Santa Barbara.
Probable Starting Pitchers & Projected Odds
| Game | Ole Miss | Arizona | Proj. |
| 1 | Derek Diamond | Chase Silseth | ARI -140 |
| 2 | Doug Nikhazy | Garrett Irvin | ARI -105 |
| 3* | Tyler Myers | Chandler Murphy | ARI -140 |
Neither of Arizona’s regional opponents could expose its season-long issues with fielding and strikeout-to-walk ratio. The Wildcats are outside the top 70 in home runs per game, strikeout-to-walk ratio and walks allowed per nine. The most glaring stat is defensive efficiency, as Arizona is the worst-ranked team remaining with a rank of 189th in fielding percentage.
The true odds for Arizona based on staff FIP and starting pitchers is -170, but this is a series that is almost guaranteed to go three games when Doug Nikhazy takes the mound for Ole Miss.
In lieu of a series bet, earmark the Nikhazy start for investment, as it should come as an Ole Miss pick’em.
Pick: Single Game — Ole Miss -120 or better when Doug Nikhazy starts
