It will be a battle between Pac-12 opponents when the UCLA Bruins (14-7, 5-4 Pac-12) welcome the Stanford Cardinal (11-10, 5-3 Pac-12) to Pauley Pavilion. The game starts at 10:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 27, 2018, and will air on Pac-12 Network.
The Over/Under (O/U) for the game has been set at 152 points with UCLA opening as a 6-point favorite.
Stanford Cardinal vs. UCLA Bruins Betting Prediction
The last time the Cardinal played, they were defeated by the No. 25 USC Trojans, 69-64. USC’s turnover percentage was their biggest advantage over Stanford. The Trojans had a rate of 9.3 (better than their season average of 13.8), while the Cardinal posted a mark of 21.5 (above their season average of 18.3). Reid Travis led Stanford in scoring with 16 points on 7-for-12 shooting.
The Bruins were victorious over the California Golden Bears in their last contest, 70-57. The Bruins made 25 of their 32 free throws (78.1 percent) and held the Golden Bears to an effective field goal percentage of 0.387 (below their season average of 0.475). Aaron Holiday led UCLA in scoring with 21 points on 5-for-8 shooting.
UCLA should be expected to protect the ball well in this contest. UCLA ranks 39th in the nation at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 16.6 percent), while Stanford forces the 26th-fewest turnovers (16.2 percent).
Stanford heads into the game with records of 11-10 straight up (SU) and 10-10-1 against the spread (ATS). Of the Cardinal’s 21 games, 14 have finished under the projected point total.
UCLA is 14-7 SU, but they are just 9-12 ATS. Contrary to Stanford, Bruins games tend to go over the total (55.0 percent).
This is the second game of the season between these two teams. Holiday scored a game-high 31 points in the first matchup, in which the Bruins lost 107-99, unable to cover as 3-point favorites. The game finished with a total of 206 points, which was 53.5 points above the projected point total of 152.5 points. The Cardinal had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (26.2 vs. 20.8) and had a better free throw rate (0.297 vs. 0.247).
Stanford Cardinal vs. UCLA Bruins ATS Pick
Free Basketball Pick: SU Winner – UCLA, ATS Winner – Stanford, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
Stanford is 3-4 ATS on the road with 6 unders and 1 over.
UCLA is 5-7 ATS at home with 6 unders and 5 overs.
Stanford ranks 47th in rebounds per game (38.9) while UCLA ranks 207th in rebounds allowed per game (36.7).
The Bruins rank eighth in blocks allowed per game (2.2) while the Cardinal rank 157th (4.3).
UCLA ranks 107th in three pointers attempted per game (23.0) while Stanford ranks 242nd (18.4).
The Bruins rank 110th in steals per game (6.4) while the Cardinal rank 142nd in steals allowed per game (6.9).
UCLA ranks 84th in assists per game (15.0) while Stanford ranks 102nd in assists allowed per game (12.8).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Stanford is 5-0 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
UCLA is 2-3 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over over their last five games.
The Cardinal’s average margin of victory in their last five games has been 4.0, up from 0.4 for the season.
During their last five games, the Bruins have scored an average of 73.2 points per game (9.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 70.4 points per game (5.4 below their season average).
