In today’s Pac 12 college basketball matchup, the California Golden Bears will take on the UCLA Bruins at Pauley Pavilion. Let’s take a look at the best college basketball betting picks and betting trends, then give our California vs UCLA prediction for today’s game.
California vs UCLA Game Information
Osos de oro de California (9-10, 2-6 Pac 12) vs. UCLA Bruins (14-2, 6-1 Pac 12)
Date: Thursday, January 27, 2022
Hour: 9 p.m. ET
Site: Pauley Pavilion — Los Angeles, CA
Coverage: PAC12
California vs UCLA College Basketball Betting Odds and Picks
All California vs UCLA college basketball betting odds can be found at bet online
money line: CAL: (+890) | UCLA: (-1600)
Point difference: CAL: +16,5 (-110) | UCLA: -16,5 (-110)
Total: 127 — More than: (-110) | Low: (-110)
California vs UCLA College Basketball Betting Preview
California has had an incredibly bumpy pair of games, losing five in a row. To be fair to the Golden Bears, three of those matchups were against Top-10 teams. With that in mind, none of his losses, even to unranked opponents, came exactly close. California has struggled a lot this season to get anything done on offense. Averaging just under 65 points per game, California ranks 359th in the country. Their poor offense, coupled with a defense that gives up 64.5 points per game, has made wins hard to come by in conference play.
This season, UCLA returned virtually their entire team from last year that made a run from Cinderella to the Final Four. Johnny Juzang is averaging 18+ points on 46% shooting to lead the Bruins. UCLA has won four straight since losing to Oregon at home in overtime. Notably, their most recent win was a 16-point victory over Arizona on Tuesday. UCLA’s entire attack was in full view, scoring at will and harassing the defense at every turn.
California vs UCLA College Basketball Betting Trends
- California is 13-5 against the spread (ATS) in its last 18 games.
- The total has gone UNDER in eight of California’s last 11 games.
- California is 0-9 in its last 9 games against UCLA.
- The UNDER is 4-1 in UCLA’s last 5 games against California.
- The UNDER is 8-4 in UCLA’s last 12 games.
Prediction California vs UCLA | College Basketball Betting Picks
To put it bluntly, California can’t hang with UCLA. The talent is nowhere near and UCLA is coming off a big win over Arizona brimming with confidence. However, California has nothing to lose, making an extension of this magnitude elusive on both sides. It wouldn’t be surprising to see California outclassed, but it also wouldn’t be surprising to see them hold it within striking distance for longer than people expect.
The last time these two teams met, UCLA prevailed 60-52. While that would point to hitting the mark in this game, it’s important to remember that the two teams combined to shoot 5-for-32 from behind the arc (15.6%). With both offenses likely able to shoot more efficiently, it shouldn’t be too much to expect the over to hit with such a low line.
Our California vs UCLA college basketball betting prediction tonight will be OVER hits on bet online.
For what it’s worth, he ESPN Matchup Predictor gives UCLA a 95.1% chance of winning.
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