The UCLA Bruins (7-4) take on the No. 15 Ohio State Buckeyes (10-1) at United Center. The game is scheduled to get underway at 3 p.m. ET on Saturday, December 22, 2018.
Ohio State Buckeyes vs. UCLA Bruins Betting Prediction
In the Buckeyes’ last contest, they topped the Cincinnati Bearcats, 64-56. Ohio State was 8-20 on three pointers (40.0 percent), while Cincinnati was 6-26 (23.1 percent). With 15 points on 5-for-9 shooting, Kaleb Wesson was Ohio State’s high scorer.
The Bruins easily got past the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons in their last matchup, 96-71. UCLA won the rebounding battle. The Bruins had more offensive rebounds (13 vs. six), defensive rebounds (39 vs. 22) and total rebounds (52 vs. 28). Kris Wilkes was the top scorer from either team with 27 points on 11-for-19 shooting from the field.
Wilkes and Moses Brown have played well over the last five games for UCLA. Wilkes has averaged 0 points per game. Not to be outdone, Brown has put up 0 points a game during that span.
This contest should be a showdown of opposite styles. UCLA has preferred a fast-breaking style of play (56th in possessions per game), while Ohio State has been slower-paced (281st in possessions per game). Also, the Buckeyes are among the country’s best at getting to the line, ranking seventh in free throw attempt (FTA) rate (0.340). The Bruins, however, rank 50th in opponents’ FTA rate (0.182).
Ohio State Buckeyes vs. UCLA Bruins Free Pick
Free Prediction: SU Winner – UCLA, ATS Winner – Ohio State, O/U – Under
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Notes
Betting Notes:
Ohio State ranks eighth in assists allowed per game (9.1) while UCLA ranks 195th (15.5).
The Buckeyes rank 39th in rebounds allowed per game (31.8) while the Bruins rank 192nd (37.5).
Ohio State ranks 109th in three pointers allowed per game (21.7) while UCLA ranks 249th (27.6).
The Bruins rank 11th in blocks per game (5.5) while the Buckeyes rank 113th (2.9).
Ohio State is eighth in the NCAA with 4.4 steals allowed per game while UCLA is 60th with 5.8 steals allowed per game.
Bettings Trends:
The Buckeyes’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 21.8, up from 16.1 for the season.
During their last five games, the Bruins have scored an average of 85.8 points per game (6.7 above their season average) and allowed an average of 72.2 points per game (0.8 below their season average).
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