It will be a battle between Pac-12 opponents when the No. 23 Arizona Wildcats (16-6, 6-3 Pac-12) welcome the UCLA Bruins (12-11, 5-5 Pac-12) to the McKale Memorial Center. The game will air on ESPN2 at 10 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 8, 2020.
UCLA Bruins vs. Arizona Wildcats Betting Prediction
The last time the Bruins played, they were blown out by the Arizona State Sun Devils, 84-66. Arizona State launched 24 three pointers, making 14 of them (58.3 percent), while UCLA was 7-25 (28.0 percent). Cody Riley led UCLA in scoring with 16 points on 7-for-11 shooting.
The Wildcats defeated the USC Trojans in their last matchup, 85-80. The Wildcats had a fantastically low turnover percentage of 7.4 (better than their season average of 14.3) and had a free throw rate of 0.491 (above their season average of 0.258). With 18 points and 11 rebounds, Arizona’s Zeke Nnaji had a good outing.
After the Bruins won the lone contest against the Wildcats last season, 90-69, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. The Bruins had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.658 vs. 0.394) and had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (41.4 vs. 27.1).
Arizona could have their way on the defensive side of the ball as they face off against one of the nation’s worst offenses. The Wildcats currently rank 29th in effective field goal percentage allowed (0.450), while UCLA is 257th in effective field goal percentage (0.484).
UCLA Bruins vs. Arizona Wildcats Pick
Free Pick: ATS Winner – Arizona, O/U – Over
Betting Trends
Arizona ranks 21st in assists per game (16.1) while UCLA ranks 149th (13.0).
The Bruins rank 19th in rebounds allowed per game (30.7) while the Wildcats rank 95th (33.7).
Arizona ranks 207th in three pointers attempted per game (20.3) while UCLA ranks 266th (18.1).
The Wildcats are fourth in the NCAA with 4.5 steals allowed per game while the Bruins are 39th with 5.4 steals allowed per game.
Arizona ranks 69th in blocks per game (3.8) while UCLA ranks 102nd in blocks allowed per game (3.3).
The Bruins have been outscored by an average of 3.0 points in their last five games. For the season, UCLA has defeated opponents by an average of 1.0 point.
During their last five games, the Wildcats have scored an average of 73.2 points per game (6.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 64.2 points per game (1.7 below their season average).
