Arizona Wildcats vs UCLA Bruins Matchup

Read on to get betting odds and analysis in our UCLA vs Arizona NCAA Basketball prediction and preview and see who we think will win and cover the spread in Phoenix.

UCLA vs Arizona Prediction

Making on a bet on this NCAA game featuring the Bruins versus the Wildcats? Tip off is at at 3:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on ESPN2. The game will be played at Footprint Center in Phoenix, AZ. The over/under for this game is set at 147 points, and Arizona is favored by -3.5 against UCLA in a non-conference matchup.

UCLA vs. Arizona Matchup At A Glance

Sport: NCAAB
Teams: UCLA Bruins at Arizona Wildcats
Where: Phoenix at Footprint Center
Date: Saturday, December 14th
Betting Odds ARZ -3.5, UCLA +132 | ARZ -161 O/U 147

Bruins Preview: Will UCLA Be The Talk of Footprint Center?

UCLA improved to 8-1 on the season after a 73-71 road win over Oregon on Sunday. The Bruins entered the game as +3.5 point underdogs but managed to cover the spread with the victory.

UCLA trailed 34-33 at halftime but outscored the Ducks 40-37 in the second half. The total points for the game were 144, surpassing the pre-game O/U line of 137.5.

Bruins Offense Breakdown

UCLA's offense put up 73 points in their last game, shooting 45.2% from the field. They were particularly effective from beyond the arc, hitting 52.2% of their threes (12/23), contributing to an effective field goal percentage of 54.8%.

Nate Bittle led the way with 22 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 61.5% overall and 66.7% from three. Eric Dailey Jr. was nearly perfect, hitting 87.5% of his shots and 75% from deep, finishing with 19 points in 23 minutes.

Bruins Team Defense

Despite UCLA's defensive efforts, they allowed 71 points on 47% shooting from the field. The Bruins gave up 17 two-point baskets on 34 attempts, with the opposing team hitting 50% of their shots inside the arc.

From three-point range, UCLA's defense allowed 9 made threes on 21 attempts, a 42% success rate. The Bruins also sent their opponents to the free-throw line 14 times, where they converted 10 shots, or 71%. UCLA gave up 9 offensive rebounds in the game.

Wildcats Preview: Can Arizona Deliver Being Favored at Home?

Arizona improved to 4-4 on the season with a dominant 102-66 win over Southern Utah on Saturday. Playing at home, the Wildcats entered the game as -28 favorites and covered the spread, while the total points of 168 went over the O/U line of 158.5.

Arizona jumped out to a commanding 55-23 lead by halftime. In the second half, they scored 47 points but allowed 43, showing some defensive lapses as the game progressed.

Wildcats Offense Breakdown

Arizona's offense was firing on all cylinders in their last game, putting up 102 points with a 50% field goal percentage. They connected on 37.5% of their threes, hitting 6 of 16 attempts, and were solid from the line, making 28 of 36 free throws for a 77.8% mark. Their effective field goal percentage stood at 54.4%, and they dominated the glass with 16 offensive rebounds, dishing out 23 assists as a team.

Jamir Simpson led the way with 21 points, shooting 53.3% from the field and 50% from deep. Anthony Dell'Orso added 19 points in just 18 minutes, hitting 3 of 4 from beyond the arc, while KJ Lewis was nearly perfect, going 6 of 7 from the field and grabbing 8 rebounds to go with his 15 points and 5 assists.

Wildcats Team Defense

Arizona's defense gave up 66 points in their last game, with opponents shooting 50% from the field, including 53% on two-pointers (28/52). From beyond the arc, the opposing team hit 6 of 16 threes, good for 37%.

At the free-throw line, Arizona's opponents went 28/36, shooting 77%. The Wildcats also allowed 16 offensive rebounds in the game.

Bruins vs Wildcats Betting Odds, Trends & Analysis

Through their last ten road games, UCLA has an ATS record of just 6-3-1. However, their overall record was 5-5 while averaging 69 points per game.
Through their last ten home contests, the Wildcats offense has averaged 84 points per game while allowing an average of 82. Arizona posted an overall record of 5-5 while going 5-5 ATS.
Through their last three games as the betting underdog, the Bruins have a strong record vs the spread going 2-1. Their straight up mark in these contests is 1-2.
The last three games that Arizona was favored, they have an ATS mark of 1-2 while going 1-2 straight up.