The No. 13 UCLA Bruins (20-5, 12-4 Pac-12) visit Matthew Knight Arena Thursday to take on the Oregon Ducks (17-10, 10-6). Tip-off is scheduled for 9:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the UCLA vs. Oregon odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
Oregon has lost three of its last four games, one of which was an embarrassing home 78-64 defeat by California in which the Ducks were 14.5-point favorites.
They’ve since lost to Arizona (84-81 Saturday) and Arizona State (81-57 last Thursday) while taking down Washington State 62-59 at home Feb. 14. Oregon is 10-16 against the spread (ATS).
UCLA has been banged up with starting G Tyger Campbell still day-to-day with a shoulder injury. The Bruins have covered three straight outings and are 7-3 ATS over their last 10 games.
Despite having had a relatively disappointing season, UCLA is still 20-5 straight up, 6-3 on the road, and 13-11-1 ATS. UCLA is 4-4 ATS as an away favorite.
Rankings courtesy of the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
UCLA at Oregon odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:16 p.m. ET.
- Money line: UCLA -155 (bet $155 to win $100) | Oregon +125 (bet $100 to win $125)
- Against the spread (ATS): UCLA -2.5 (-112) | Oregon +2.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 136.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
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UCLA at Oregon odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
UCLA 74, Oregon 69
Money line
PASS.
I can understand a sprinkle on the Oregon money line, but it is a side that isn’t playing well as of late and needs to re-prove itself. Oregon is 2-3 straight up against ranked opponents.
Against the spread
“LEAN” to UCLA -2.5 (-112).
While home court advantage is important, Oregon is just 11-4 at home this season. When it comes to covering, the Ducks are just 6-9 ATS on their home hardwood.
Despite a 6-3 straight-up record as visitors, the Bruins are 4-5 ATS on the road. UCLA actually lost 84-81 in overtime as a 9.5-point home favorite against Oregon Jan.13.
Beating a team twice, especially in conference play, is easier said than done.
Oregon also shoots the third most triples in conference play. UCLA has the best opponents’ three-point percentage, forcing opponents to shoot a conference-best 29.8% from deep.
The Bruins shot just 28% from deep in the first battle of the two teams. Expect them to improve to their mean and cover this spread.
Over/Under
BET on the OVER 136.5 (-115).
Oregon is 16-11 O/U this season, the second-best Over record in the Pac-12. It is also 11-5 O/U in conference games.
While UCLA hasn’t been great at covering the over, it was able to break down Oregon in the first matchup between the two programs. It was 73-73 at the end of regulation and ended 84-81.
Neither team shot over 43% (UCLA 39.7%, Oregon 42.9%) in that first battle and both knockdown more than 44% of their shots in conference play (44.2% UCLA, 45% Oregon) this season.
The Over should be the better play here if both sides stick to their averages.
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