Number 24 UCLA and unranked Arizona both head to Phoenix to face each other on Saturday afternoon. The game is at 3:00 PM ET on ESPN2. Can UCLA cover the 3.5-point spread as neutral-site underdogs? Keep reading for our UCLA vs. Arizona prediction.
The UCLA Bruins are 8-1 straight up in the regular season this year. They are 6-3 ATS this season.
The Arizona Wildcats are 4-4 straight up in the regular season this year. They are 3-5 ATS this season.
UCLA vs. Arizona Matchup & Betting Odds
631 UCLA Bruins (+3.5) vs. 632 Arizona Wildcats (-3.5); o/u 147.5
3:00 p.m. ET, Saturday, December 14, 2024
Footprint Center, Phoenix, AZ
TV: ESPN2
UCLA vs. Arizona Public Betting Information
Our CBB Public Betting Information page indicates that 54% of public bettors are currently backing Arizona when it comes to the spread. This information is subject to change throughout the day, however, so be sure to check the link so you’re receiving the most up-to-date public betting data.
UCLA Bruins Game Notes
Bruins guard Eric Dailey Jr. was excellent in his team’s 73-71 win over Oregon on Sunday night. The 6’8” sophomore recorded 19 points, 5 rebounds, an assist, and 2 steals. Dailey shot 7 of 8 from the field and 3 of 4 from beyond the arc in the victory.
UCLA guard Sebastian Mack provided a spark off the bench in his team’s game on Sunday. In 25 minutes, the sophomore from Chicago logged 10 points, a rebound, 3 assists, and a steal. Mack is third on the team in scoring with 10.6 points per game this year.
Arizona Wildcats Game Notes
Wildcats guard Anthony Dell’Orso had a big scoring outing in his club’s 102-66 win over Southern Utah last Saturday. In 18 minutes off the bench, the Melbourne, Australia native registered 19 points, an assist, and a steal. Dell’Orso shot 6 of 9 from the floor and 3 of 4 from long distance in the victory.
Arizona forward Trey Townsend was efficient from the field in his team’s game on Saturday. The Oakland transfer accumulated 12 points, 2 rebounds, and an assist in 20 minutes of game action. Townsend is third on the team in scoring with 11.3 points per game this season.
UCLA vs. Arizona CBB Betting Trends
UCLA is 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
The Bruins are 12-6 ATS as an underdog since the start of last season.
Arizona is 5-7 ATS in neutral-site games since the start of last season.
Arizona is 3-6 ATS in their last 9 games overall.
UCLA vs. Arizona CBB Prediction:
This game will be played in Phoenix, so it’s technically a neutral-site contest. Arizona’s campus in Tucson is 1 hour and 40 minutes away from Phoenix by car, so the Wildcats may have a slight home-court advantage over the Bruins in this contest. I’m not sure that will be enough to carry them over the finish line.
Arizona is 4-4 straight up this season, and they haven’t beaten a major conference team yet this year. The Wildcats’ four wins have come against Canisius, Old Dominion, Davidson, and Southern Utah. Arizona’s four losses have come against Wisconsin, Duke, Oklahoma, and West Virginia. The Wildcats haven’t proven they can beat a good team yet, and UCLA certainly qualifies as that. The Bruins are 14-8-1 ATS after a win and 4-2-1 ATS in neutral-site games since the start of last season. I think UCLA is simply the better team, so the Bruins are the pick in Phoenix on Saturday.