The UCLA Bruins take on the Arizona Wildcats in Phoenix, AZ. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
Arizona is favored by 4 points on the spread with a moneyline of -185. The total is set at 146 points.
Here are my UCLA vs. Arizona predictions and college basketball picks for December 14, 2024.
UCLA vs Arizona Prediction
My Pick: Arizona -3 (Play to -4)
My UCLA vs Arizona best bet is on the Wildcats spread, with the best odds currently available at DraftKings. For all of your college basketball bets, be sure to find the best lines by using our live NCAAB odds page.
UCLA vs Arizona Odds, Spread
| UCLA Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4 -110 | 146 -110 / -110 | +155 |
| Arizona Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4 -110 | 146 -110 / -110 | -185 |
- UCLA vs Arizona spread: Arizona -4
- UCLA vs Arizona over/under: 146 points
- UCLA vs Arizona moneyline: Arizona -185, UCLA +155
- UCLA vs Arizona best bet: Arizona -3 (Play to -4)
My UCLA vs Arizona College Basketball Betting Preview
UCLA Basketball
Mick Cronin is known as one of the premier defensive-minded coaches in America, and he’s returned to his roots. The Bruins' defense is suffocating, ranking fourth in defensive efficiency while boasting a 27% turnover rate, which is the best in America.
The Bruins' offense is the team's clear weakness, as UCLA ranks 50th in offensive efficiency. It’s helped that UCLA has faced a relatively modest schedule in the non-conference. In three games against top-105 teams in KenPom, the Bruins' best effort from a PPP perspective is 1.08.
The Bruins went with a portal-heavy approach, which has led to lesser roles for incumbent starters Sebastian Mack and Dylan Andrews. I don’t think starting Skyy Clark is a positive, but Andrews is down to 8.9 points per game and Mack is playing only 21 minutes a night.
UCLA should just play its best guards.
The clear strength of the Bruins' roster is on interior. Forward Tyler Bilodeau has been a stalwart at the five, leading the Bruins with 13.3 points on 38% from 3. Eric Dailey Jr. and Kobe Johnson were two terrific portal adds for Cronin, as both possess the skill, size and defensive versatility.
I just don’t think UCLA has a clear best player. On any given night, a different player could lead it in scoring. I’m not sure that’s a good thing in a matchup in which the opposing team has a go-to guy who gets shots late.
Arizona Basketball
It was fairly easy to spot where things could go awry for Arizona. It just doesn’t have enough shooters, which greatly limits the offensive effectiveness.
The starting lineup features four below-average shooters next to Caleb Love, who is a notoriously streaky scorer. So far, Love has been pretty poor, averaging 12 points and shooting 27% from 3.
Surely, Love will improve based on his track record. But can the other Wildcats improve? I’m not optimistic.
Jaden Bradley is a tremendous player, but he shoots 31% from 3. Neither Tobe Awaka nor Motiejus Krivas has made a 3 this year. Trey Townsend is at 25%, and KJ Lewis is at 29%.
Tommy Lloyd was looking for a jolt in the Wildcats’ last game and inserted five-star freshman Carter Bryant in lieu of Lewis. Bryant also isn’t shooting it well, connecting on 23% from 3.
Love is due for a huge scoring game, though. He has had a few 30+ point games every year, and that is exactly what this Wildcats offense could use right now.
The path to Arizona salvaging this season is buying into its defense. Based on the roster, sitting at 38th in KenPom’s defensive efficiency isn’t good enough.
I believe Arizona’s defense improves, though, as it forces turnovers on 19.9% of defensive possessions. It also holds teams to 44% on 2s, but it gets stung on 3s, allowing 35% from downtown.
I’d guess some positive regression awaits in the shooting department.
Plus, Arizona wants to push the tempo, and it’s hard to play fast when you can’t get consistent stops. Solving the defensive riddle would lead to an improved offense.
UCLA vs. Arizona Betting Analysis
The Wildcats would be wise to amp up the pressure to coax the Bruins into upping the tempo and getting uncomfortable.
That worked perfectly for the Lobos, as they forced UCLA into 21 turnovers en route to handing the Bruins their lone loss.
Another area that bodes well for the Wildcats is the offensive glass. The tallest starting Bruin is Bilodeau at 6-foot-9. He will have problems fending off 7-foot-2 Krivas or Awaka, who weighs around 250 pounds.
The Wildcats rebound over 40% of their misses, while UCLA ranks 149th in defensive rebounding rate.
Back Arizona to bounce back.
