It will be a battle between Pac-12 opponents when the UCLA Bruins (12-4, 3-1 Pac-12) welcome the Utah Runnin’ Utes (10-5, 2-2 Pac-12) to Pauley Pavilion. The game starts at 11 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 11, 2018, and will air on ESPN2.
The game’s Over/Under (O/U) opened at 154 points with UCLA set as a 7-point favorite.
Utah Runnin’ Utes vs. UCLA Bruins Betting Prediction
The last time the Runnin’ Utes played, they were beaten by the No. 4 Arizona State Sun Devils, 80-77. Arizona State won the rebounding battle. The Sun Devils had more offensive rebounds (12 vs. three) and total rebounds (32 vs. 25). Justin Bibbins was the top scorer from either team with 22 points on 4-for-12 shooting.
The Bruins won big over the California Golden Bears in their last game, 107-84. One of UCLA’s largest advantages was getting to the charity stripe. They had 33 free throw attempts, seven more than California. With 19 points and 14 rebounds, Thomas Welsh played well for UCLA.
It will be a battle of contrasting paces as the fast-breaking Bruins will look to push the slower-paced Runnin’ Utes. The Bruins rank 15th in possessions per game while the Runnin’ Utes are 222nd.
Utah comes into the contest with records of 10-5 straight up (SU) and 7-5-1 against the spread (ATS). Vegas tends to set the total high when the Runnin’ Utes are involved, as eight of their 13 games have finished under the total.
Meanwhile, UCLA is 12-4 SU and 7-9 ATS. Unlike Utah, Bruins games have typically gone over the projected point total (66.7 percent).
Both teams have had a player step their game up over their last five games. Bibbins (16.4 points, 4.8 assists and 1.4 steals) has been stellar for the Runnin’ Utes while Aaron Holiday (22.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists and 1.6 steals) has made solid contributions to the Bruins.
After the Bruins won the only contest against the Runnin’ Utes last season, 83-82, this will be the first matchup of the year between these two teams. The Bruins had a better free throw rate (0.118 vs. 0.045) and had a better turnover percentage (8.7 vs. 11.6).
Utah Runnin’ Utes at UCLA Bruins Odds Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – UCLA, ATS Winner – Utah, O/U – Under
Notes
Betting Notes:
On the road, Utah is 3-3 ATS with 4 unders and 2 overs.
At home, UCLA is 4-5 ATS with 5 overs and 3 unders.
Utah averages 25.2 three pointers per game, which ranks 56th in the nation. UCLA ranks 244th in three pointers allowed per game (25.8).
The Bruins rank 14th in rebounds per game (40.9) while the Runnin’ Utes rank 183rd (34.6).
Utah ranks 30th in assists allowed per game (10.9) while UCLA ranks 125th (13.4).
The Bruins rank 14th in blocks allowed per game (2.2) while the Runnin’ Utes rank 63rd (3.1).
Bettings Trends:
In their last five games, Utah is 2-2-1 ATS with 4 unders and 1 over.
UCLA is 4-1 ATS with 4 overs and 1 under over their last five games.
The Runnin’ Utes’ average margin of victory in their last five games has been 3.8, down from 6.8 for the season.
During their last five games, the Bruins have scored an average of 91.8 points per game (6.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 80.2 points per game (2.8 above their season average).
