Arizona vs UCLA: Odds, Picks, Predictions (3/4/23)

Arizona visits UCLA in a huge Pac-12 finale. Arizona is coming off a bounce back win against USC on the road, while UCLA is coming off a blowout win against Arizona State at home. This is a big matchup because these are the two best teams in the Pac-12. Let’s take a look at the odds and make some picks and predictions for this game!

Arizona vs. UCLA Odds

UCLA is a 5-point home favorite against Arizona and is at -215 on the money line. The over/under is also at 148. UCLA being favored here makes sense because they’re playing like one of the best teams in all of college basketball and they’re at home too. The over/under makes sense too because most games Arizona plays in end up high-scoring with how fast they play. This spread should stay where it’s at before tip-off too.

Arizona vs. UCLA Prediction & Pick

The pick: Arizona +5

Arizona got a much-needed bounce back win against USC on Thursday. They needed to focus back up after the way they lost to Arizona State and it worked.

Azuolas Tubelis is the best player Arizona has and he had also had a bounce back game against USC too. He had 25 points and 10 rebounds per game against the Trojans. He also averages 20 points, 2 assists, and 9 rebounds per game for the season. He’s in the running still to be the Pac-12 Player of the Year. Oumar Ballo helps make the best front court in the country. He’s second on the team in scoring and rebounding at 14 points, and 8.7 rebounds per game, and he leads the team in blocks at 1.3 per game. Courtney Ramey and Kerr Kriisa have been solid in the backcourt too. Ramey averages 11 PPG and leads the team in steals at 1.1 per game. Kriisa is the engine of the offense at point guard and averages 10.6 PPG and leads the Pac-12 in assists at 5.4 per game.

Arizona is one of the best offensive teams in the country this season. They’re top-5 in scoring at 83.5 PPG, top-10 in FG percentage at 49.4, and they’re also top-10 in rebounds per game at 40.

On the other side, UCLA has emerged as one of the best teams in the country this season and is a favorite to win it all becaus eof their experience and defense.

Jaime Jacquez Jr. is another leading candidate to win Pac-12 Player of the Year. He averages 17.3 points, 2 assists, and 8 rebounds per game for the season. Jaylen Clark and Tyger Campbell are the two guards that standout for the Bruins. Clark is second in scoring at 13 PPG and leads the team in steals at 2.6 per game. Campbell is third in scoring at 12.7 PPG and leads the team in assists at 4.7 per game. Amari Bailey is another key piece in the backcourt. He averages 10 PPG.

UCLA is one of the best defensive teams in the country. They’re top-10 in points allowed at 59.7 and they’re also top-10 in point differential at +14.2.

This game is going to be close, especially after what happened in the last game in Tucson. Arizona’s size is going to bother UCLA, but UCLA has the advantage on the perimeter. Arizona covers in a thriller of a game, but the Bruins win outright.

Arizona vs. UCLA Key Matchups

Can Adem Bona matchup with Oumar Ballo? Can Cedric Henderson Jr. matchup with Jaylen Clark?

Oumar Ballo vs Adem Bona

Oumar Ballo was the difference in the first game. He had 16 points and 8 rebounds and on the season he averages 14 points, 2 assists, and 8.7 rebounds per game for the season. He’ll be matched up against Adem Bona, who averages 8 points, 1 assist, and 5 rebounds per game for the season. This is a big matchup because Bona’s been playing well recently and is a very good defender. If Bona can matchup against Ballo and not get in foul trouble, UCLA has a big chance of winning.

Jaylen Clark vs Cedric Henderson Jr.

Jaylen Clark is the best defender in the conference. He averages 13 points, 2 assists, 6.2 rebounds, and 2.6 steals per game for the season. He’ll be matched up against Cedric Henderson Jr., who averages 8 points, 1 assist, 3.6 rebounds, and 1 steal per game for the season. This is a big matchup too because Henderson turned the ball over four times the last time they played, so he needs to play better. If Henderson can play well against Clark, then Arizona has a big chance of winning too.