The Arizona Wildcats (14-7 overall, 8-7 Pac-12) visit the UCLA Bruins (14-5, 10-3) for a Thursday night (9 p.m. ET) contest at Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles. Below, we analyze the Arizona-UCLA college basketball odds and lines, with picks and predictions.
Arizona at UCLA: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:35 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Arizona +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | UCLA -140 (bet $140 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: Arizona +2.5 (-115) | UCLA -2.5 (-105)
- Over/Under: 136.5 (O: -115 | U: -105)
Arizona at UCLA: Three things to know
- Shaky February losses at USC and Washington State have knocked UCLA out of the top-25. From an analytics standpoint, the Bruins haven’t really been at their best since mid-January. Thursday’s game marks just UCLA’s second contest at home since Jan. 16. The Bruins are 9-0 at Pauley Pavilion.
- UCLA defeated Arizona, 81-76, in Tucson, Ariz., on Jan. 9. The Wildcats are 0-4 straight-up and 0-4 against the spread over their last four games against the Bruins. Since 2013, UA is 2-5 ATS at UCLA.
- From an analytics standpoint, Arizona ranks second and sixth, respectively, in offensive and defensive efficiency among Pac-12 schools. The Wildcats are adept at creating and avoiding turnovers, and their overall rebounding ranks first in the conference. UA was out-rebounded in its last game, a 63-61 home loss to Oregon on Saturday. That marked the first time since Jan. 9 the Wildcats had been outdone on the boards.
Special College Basketball Betting Promotion!
Bet $1 on any college basketball team money line, WIN an additional $100 (in free bets) if ANY team hits a 3-pointer today. Promotion available in CO, IN, MI, NJ, TN, VA and WV. IA and PA residents, don’t miss BetMGM‘s risk-free, first-bet offer!
Place your legal, online sports bets at BetMGM! Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!
Arizona at UCLA: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
UCLA 71, Arizona 70
Money line (ML)
Six-foot-10 F Jalen Hill (personal) is listed as questionable for Thursday’s game. Hill is UCLA’s fourth-leading rebounder, but he’s a bigger factor than his 5.5 rebounds per game when UCLA is at its best.
The Bruins’ last two home wins have not at all been impressive, and UCLA seems to be on the verge of being recognized as maybe more of a top-75 team than a top-25 one.
Look for the Wildcats to leverage rebounding as well as their inside game, outside shooting, and ability to get frequent throws at the charity stripe. BACK ARIZONA (+115).
Play our new free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!
Against the spread (ATS)
The Wildcats are 4-1 ATS in their last five games following an ATS loss. ARIZONA +2.5 (-115) is the play in this one, but weigh your appetite for this play based on how much you value a straight-up ML wager.
Over/Under (O/U)
The Over is 4-1 in the Wildcats’ last five road games. Both teams can shoot the three, and both struggle in the perimeter defense department. Figure on enough triples and untimed singles (free throws) to get this game into the 140s.
TAKE THE OVER 136.5 (-115). And consider moving quickly to grab that number.
Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
Additional college sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Auburn / Florida / Georgia / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Tennessee / Texas / USC / Wisconsin
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1667]