The St. Bonaventure Bonnies (25-7) challenge the UCLA Bruins (21-11) in the First Four at University of Dayton Arena. The game is scheduled to begin at 9:10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, March 13, 2018.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 154.5 points with UCLA set as a 3.5-point favorite.
St. Bonaventure Bonnies vs. UCLA Bruins Betting Prediction
In the , the Bonnies were topped by the Davidson Wildcats, 82-70. One of Davidson’s biggest strengths was their ability to convert at the free throw line. They were 10-12 (83.3 percent), while the Bonnies were just 7-13 (53.8 percent). Jaylen Adams led St. Bonaventure in scoring with 20 points on 6-for-15 shooting.
The Bruins lost to the No. 15 Arizona Wildcats in the , 78-67. Arizona’s 0.197 free throw rate was their biggest advantage over UCLA, who had a rate of 0.044. The Wildcats’ mark was below their season average of 0.293, while the Bruins’ was below their season average of 0.267. UCLA’s Thomas Welsh had a solid performance, leading the team in scoring with 17 points on 7-for-13 shooting.
It might turn into a high-scoring affair as two of the nation’s best offenses clash. UCLA currently ranks 44th with 112.8 points per 100 possessions and St. Bonaventure is 47th (112.7). The Bonnies should have an edge in terms of ball security. They rank 47th at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 16.6 percent). Conversely, the Bruins force the sixth-fewest turnovers in the NCAA (opponents’ turnover percentage of 14.9 percent).
St. Bonaventure holds records of 25-7 straight up (SU) and 15-14 against the spread (ATS). Vegas tends to set the total low when the Bonnies are involved, as 16 of their 29 games have finished over the O/U total.
Meanwhile, UCLA is 21-11 SU and 15-16-1 ATS. Similarly to St. Bonaventure, Bruins games also tend to go over the total (58.1 percent).
Aaron Holiday has averaged 28.2 points, 6.8 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals over the last five games for UCLA.
St. Bonaventure Bonnies vs. UCLA Bruins Pick
Free Basketball Tip: SU Winner – UCLA, ATS Winner – UCLA, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
UCLA ranks 65th in three pointers attempted per game (24.5) while St. Bonaventure ranks 258th in three pointers allowed per game (24.0).
The Bruins rank 29th in blocks allowed per game (2.5) while the Bonnies rank 179th (3.8).
UCLA ranks 31st in rebounds per game (38.8) while St. Bonaventure ranks 149th (35.6).
The Bruins rank 74th in assists per game (15.1) while the Bonnies rank 147th in assists allowed per game (13.5).
St. Bonaventure ranks 38th in steals allowed per game (5.3) while UCLA ranks 101st (5.9).
Bettings Trends:
The Bonnies’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 2.2, down from 6.9 for the season.
During their last five games, the Bruins have scored an average of 78.4 points per game (3.5 below their season average) and allowed an average of 78.2 points per game (1.9 above their season average).
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