UCLA Vs. Arizona: NCAAB Odds, Picks, Predictions (1/21/23)

UCLA is visiting Arizona in a massive game in the Pac-12. UCLA is coming off a come from from behind win against ASU on the road, while Arizona is coming off a comfortable home win against USC. This should be an interesting matchup in the Pac-12 Title race. Let’s take a look at the odds and make some picks and predictions for this game!

UCLA vs. Arizona Odds

The game is currently listed as a pick’em with no clear favorite. The over/under is also listed at 150.5. The game being a pick’em makes sense because oddsmakers think both of these teams are so evenly matched. The over/under also makes sense because when teams play Arizona they tend to play at their pace and get lumped into higher-scoring games. This spread could move either way before tip-off, so keep an eye on that.

UCLA vs. Arizona Prediction & Pick

The pick: Arizona

The Wildcats seem like they may have found their mojo once again after a big time win against USC at home. Arizona will have the advantage down low with Azuolas Tubelis. He’s a monster down low and running the floor. He leads the team in scoring and rebounding and is a definite candidate for Player of the Year and for All-American honors. He’s joined by Oumar Ballo at center, who’s the second-leading scorer and leader in blocks for the Wildcats too. Tubelis and Ballo have been an almost unstoppable force for Arizona.

Kerr Kriisa and Courtney Ramey were also good against USC, but they need to be more consistent than they’ve been. Kriisa is leading the Wildcats in assists and could be a key in this game. Ramey’s also rebounded and is leading the team in steals.

As a team the Wildcats are one of the best offensive teams in college basketball. They are top-10 in scoring, top-15 in field goal percentage, and 3rd in college basketball in rebounding at 42 per game.

On the other side, UCLA has been great so far this year. They lost twice in a row, but have won 14 in a row since then. Jaime Jacquez Jr. is their best player and leads the Bruins in scoring and rebounding. Jaylen Clark and Tyger Campbell are great at the guard spots for the Bruins too. David Singleton is another guard here that has played very well for the Bruins and might be their best three-point shooter.

As a team, the Bruins are the better defensive team here. They are top-15 in points allowed in college basketball.

Arizona is the play here because they have their momentum back. They are also the home team and rarely lose games at home. Take Arizona here to win outright.

UCLA vs. Arizona Key Matchups

Can Adem Bona matchup with Azuolas Tubelis? Can Kerr Kriisa matchup with Tyger Campbell?

Azuolas Tubelis vs Adem Bona

Azuolas Tubelis has been one of the best players in all of college basketball this season. He averages 20 points, 2 assists, and 9 rebounds per game for the season. He’ll be matched up with Adem Bona most of the game who averages 8 points, 1 assist, and 5 rebounds per game for the season. Azuolas Tubelis is obviously a better player, but Bona’s made his worth this year on the defensive end so far. This will be a big matchup because Tubelis has been almost unstoppable this year, so it will be interesting to see what Bona can do against him.

Tyger Campbell vs Kerr Kriisa

Tyger Campbell has been a steady force in the Bruins backcourt for some time now. He averages 14 points, 5 assists, and 3 rebounds per game for the season. He’ll be matched up with Kerr Kriisa most of the game, who averages 11 points, 6 assists, and 3 rebounds per game for the season. Campbell has proven he’s the better player, but Kriisa is streaky and can get a hot hand. This will be a big matchup because these two are the engines that make their teams go, so keep an eye on who can gain the upper-hand here.