It will be a battle between Pac-12 opponents when the Arizona State Sun Devils (13-8, 4-5 Pac-12) welcome the UCLA Bruins (12-10, 5-4 Pac-12) to Wells-Fargo Arena. The game starts at 11 p.m. ET on Thursday, February 6, 2020, and will air on ESPN2.
Arizona State is a 7.5-point favorite on the opening line, while the game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 141.5 points at PointsBet NJ.
UCLA Bruins vs. Arizona State Sun Devils Free Prediction
In the Bruins’ last outing, they easily covered the 3.5-point spread against the Utah Runnin’ Utes, 73-57. The total points for the game (130) came in under the projected point total of 137. The Bruins made 17 of their 22 free throws (77.3 percent), while the Runnin’ Utes had a turnover percentage of 20.5 (above their season average of 16.9). UCLA received a boost from Tyger Campbell, who was the game’s leading scorer with 22 points on 7-for-13 shooting.
The Sun Devils defeated the Washington Huskies in their last matchup, 87-83, despite being 5.5-point underdogs. The game’s combined points (170) finished well over the projected point total of 137. The Sun Devils held the Huskies to an offensive rebounding percentage of 22.0 (below their season average of 28.1) and an effective field goal percentage of 0.460 (below their season average of 0.514). With 18 points and seven rebounds, Arizona State’s Romello White put together a good game.
This game should be a showdown of contrasting styles. Arizona State has preferred to play fast (27th in possessions per game), while UCLA has been more methodical (308th in possessions per game).
UCLA heads into the game with records of 12-10 straight up (SU) and 11-11 against the spread (ATS). Vegas has been spot on when predicting totals of Bruins games, with an even split between overs and unders.
Meanwhile, Arizona State is 13-8 SU and 11-10 ATS. Games involving the Sun Devils tend to go under the total (61.9 percent).
After the Sun Devils won both meetings against the Bruins last season, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. In the last matchup, Arizona State won 83-72. The Sun Devils had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (33.3 vs. 20.6) and had a better turnover percentage (12.1 vs. 17.0).
UCLA Bruins vs. Arizona State Sun Devils Odds Pick
Basketball Prediction: ATS Winner – Arizona State, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
UCLA ranks 135th in assists per game (13.1) while Arizona State ranks 229th (11.0).
UCLA is 4-5 ATS on the road, while Arizona State is 5-6 ATS at home.
In its last five contests, UCLA is 4-1 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs.
Arizona State is 3-2 ATS with 3 unders and 2 overs over its last five games.
The Bruins’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 2.6, up from 1.9 for the season.
During their last five games, the Sun Devils have scored an average of 72.4 points per game (0.6 below their season average) and allowed an average of 69.4 points per game (0.1 above their season average).
