The No. 6 Baylor Bears (3-1) take on the No. 7 UCLA Bruins (3-1) at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas Sunday. Tip-off is at 5:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Baylor vs. UCLA odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Rankings courtesy of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll.
The Baylor Bears come in after an 86-79 loss Friday to No. 14 Virginia in the first game of the Continental Tires Main Event. Baylor was a 4.5-point favorite in the loss — it was the 1st meeting between the 2 teams since 1968. Baylor is expected to compete for the Big 12 title with Kansas, and Virginia was just a tough game early in the season.
The same can be said for a UCLA squad coming off its own 79-70 loss to 20th-ranked Illinois Friday. The Bruins left the friendly Pauley Pavilion for the 1st time this season and they were topped by a more prepared Illinois team.
Both teams look to get back on track and hope to avoid an early losing skid.
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Baylor vs. UCLA odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:54 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Baylor -140 (bet $140 to win $100) | UCLA +120 (bet $100 to win $120)
- Against the spread (ATS): Baylor -2.5 (-110) | UCLA +2.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 146.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Baylor vs. UCLA picks and predictions
Prediction
Baylor 73, UCLA 69
Moneyline
PASS.
Baylor (-140) is the right side here, but the number is slightly too high for my liking. This is a suitable number for a parlay, but otherwise, the spread is a better play.
Against the spread
BET BAYLOR -2.5 (-110).
Although close in the rankings, Baylor is the better and more physical team. The Bears will use this advantage to pound the boards and get second chances that the Bruins will not get.
UCLA will be a great team by the season’s end, but Baylor will show Sunday that it is the better team now.
Over/Under
BET UNDER 146.5 (-110).
In a physical game, I like the Under.
Not only will both teams want to drive the lane, but both teams will also be challenged while doing it. This will lead to the Under cashing tickets. This is my FAVORITE PLAY for this game.
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