UCLA BRUINS (+9) VS ARIZONA WILDCATS
Tonight at 9PM EST on ESPN2 the Arizona Wildcats (16-1) welcome the UCLA Bruins (15-4) into the McKale Center. Arizona is looking to stay undefeated at home this season, but I expect that the Bruins will have something to say about that.
UCLA is beginning to look like the college basketball super power they once were. They quietly strung together 10 wins before losing in Oregon in their last matchup. I expect this team to compete against the Wildcats on almost every level. The Bruins are 22nd in the country averaging 77.6 points per game offensively. This team can light you up if you leave a man open. Freshman Shabazz Muhammad is already touted as one of the best picks going into the draft this year, he leading this team with 17.9 PPG. With much of his success coming off the hands of senior guard Larry Drew II. He is 3rd in the country averaging 8.1 assists per game and helps this Bruins squad rank 8th overall, average 17.4 assists per game.
As much as both these teams are capable of scoring, this game could turn into a defensive and possession game. The last 4 times these teams have met the total score has finished under, with the last 3 matchups decided by 8 points or less. I expect another tight matchup between these two rivals. Look for UCLA to step up their game and aim to take full control of the 2nd spot in the PAC-12 conference.
TRENDS
UCLA
- 2-0 straight up on the road this season
- 5-1 straight up against conference opponents this year
- 12-4 against the spread since 1997 in games as a road underdog of 6.5-9 points
- 27-18 against the spread versus conference opponents the last 3 seasons
- 1-4 against the spread versus conference opponents this season
- 1-3 against the spread versus UCLA since 2011