The No. 15 Arizona Wildcats (25-7, 15-4 Pac-12) square off against the UCLA Bruins (21-10, 12-7 Pac-12) in the Pac-12 Conference Tournament at T-Mobile Arena. The game will air on Pac-12 Network at 9 p.m. ET on Friday, March 9, 2018.
UCLA Bruins vs. Arizona Wildcats Betting Prediction
The Bruins come in on a high note after defeating the Stanford Cardinal in their last contest, 88-77. The Bruins had a phenomenally low turnover percentage of 8.3 (better than their season average of 14.6) and held the Cardinal to an offensive rebounding percentage of 22.9 (below their season average of 32.8). UCLA rallied around Aaron Holiday, who was the top scorer from either team with 34 points on 12-for-25 shooting.
The last time the Wildcats played, they defeated the Colorado Buffaloes, 83-67. The Wildcats held the Buffaloes to an offensive rebounding percentage of 13.3 (below their season average of 29.8) and had a turnover percentage of 9.8 (better than their season average of 16.0). With 16 points and 11 rebounds, Arizona’s Dusan Ristic played well.
It might turn into a shootout as two of the nation’s top offenses clash. Arizona currently ranks 10th with 117.9 points per 100 possessions and UCLA is 39th (113.4). Additionally, the Bruins rank 41st in turnover percentage (16.4 percent), while the Wildcats rank 273rd in opponents’ turnover percentage (17.1 percent).
Holiday has averaged 24.8 points and 7.2 assists over the last five games for UCLA.
This will be the second game of the season between these two teams. In the first, the Wildcats lost 82-74. Deandre Ayton recorded 16 points and 12 rebounds. UCLA’s 0.605 effective field goal percentage was its biggest strength over Arizona, who had a mark of 0.500.
UCLA Bruins vs. Arizona Wildcats Free Pick
Free Basketball Pick: SU Winner – UCLA, ATS Winner – UCLA, O/U – Over
Notes
Betting Notes:
Arizona ranks 68th in three pointers allowed per game (20.2) while UCLA ranks 277th (25.4).
The Wildcats rank fifth in rebounds allowed per game (29.2) while the Bruins rank 202nd (36.2).
Arizona averages 15.4 assists per game, which ranks 58th in the nation. UCLA ranks 183rd in assists allowed per game (14.0).
The Wildcats rank 32nd in blocks per game (4.7) while the Bruins rank 68th (4.0).
Bettings Trends:
The Bruins’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 4.0, down from 6.1 for the season.
During their last five games, the Wildcats have scored an average of 78.4 points per game (2.8 below their season average) and allowed an average of 70.2 points per game (1.4 below their season average).
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