It will be a battle between Pac-12 opponents when the UCLA Bruins (10-10, 3-4 Pac-12) welcome the No. 20 Colorado Buffaloes (16-4, 6-2 Pac-12) to Pauley Pavilion. The game will air on ESPN2 at 11 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 30, 2020.
Colorado Buffaloes at UCLA Bruins ATS Prediction
In the Buffaloes’ last outing, they topped the Washington Huskies, 76-62. The Buffaloes knocked down 11 of their 14 free throws (78.6 percent) and held the Huskies to an offensive rebounding percentage of 22.2 (below their season average of 28.8). With 16 points on 6-for-15 shooting, Tyler Bey led Colorado in scoring.
The Bruins got blown out by the No. 12 Oregon Ducks in their last matchup, 96-75. Oregon’s 17.4 turnover percentage was the team’s biggest strength over UCLA, who had a rate of 27.1. The Ducks’ mark was worse than their season average of 15.2, while the Bruins’ was above their season average of 16.6. UCLA’s Jalen Hill had 16 points and eight rebounds in the game.
After the Buffaloes won both meetings against the Bruins last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the last game, Colorado won 93-68. The Buffaloes had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (27.8 vs. 19.6) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.543 vs. 0.414).
The battle on the backboards could prove decisive, pitting strength against strength. The Bruins rank 13th in offensive rebounding percentage (36.3 percent), while Colorado ranks 38th in defensive rebounding percentage (75.9 percent). Additionally, the Buffaloes rank 31st in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.278), while the Bruins rank 318th in opponents’ FTA rate (0.286).
Colorado Buffaloes at UCLA Bruins Betting Pick
Free Pick: ATS Winner – Colorado, O/U – Under
Betting Trends
UCLA ranks 100th in steals per game (7.0) while Colorado ranks 189th in steals allowed per game (7.8).
The Buffaloes rank 189th in three pointers attempted per game (20.6) while the Bruins rank 244th (18.1).
UCLA averages 3.5 blocks per game, which ranks 98th in the NCAA. Colorado ranks 123rd in blocks allowed per game (3.6).
The Bruins rank 36th in assists allowed per game (10.6) while the Buffaloes rank 50th (11.1).
UCLA is 17th in the country with 30.5 rebounds allowed per game while Colorado is 28th with 31.6 rebounds allowed per game.
The Buffaloes’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 12.2, up from 10.4 for the season.
During their last five games, the Bruins have scored an average of 61.8 points per game (7.7 below their season average) and allowed an average of 68.4 points per game (0.1 above their season average).
