Arizona Wildcats vs UCLA Bruins Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 03/04/2023

by Rod Pearson

Friday, Mar 03, 2023
Game Time: 10:00 pm ET, Saturday, March 4, 2023
Venue:  Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, CA
Where to Watch:  ESPN


Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Arizona +5.5, UCLA -5.5; Over/Under:  148.5 points
Bet365:  Point Spread:  Arizona +5.5, UCLA -5.5; Over/Under:  148.5 points
BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Arizona +5.5, UCLA -5.5; Over/Under:  148.5 points

Season Record

Arizona Wildcats:  25-5 (14-5) (2nd place, PAC-12)
UCLA Bruins:  26-4 (17-2) (1st place, PAC-12)

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Recent Form
Arizona Wildcats:  3-2  last 5
UCLA Bruins:  5-0  last 5


Arizona Wildcats vs UCLA Bruins Preview and Analysis


Arizona is coming into this game with a 25-5 record overall and they are 6-3 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They are also 14-5 in their conference games this season as well. They are entering this game off of a win against the USC Trojans in their last game. Ąžuolas Tubelis led the team in points in that game with 25 while Courtney Ramey was next on the team with 16 points. Courtney Ramey, Kerr Kriisa, and Pelle Larsson each led the team in assists in that game with 4 while Ąžuolas Tubelis led the team in rebounds with 10. They were 54.2% from the field, 50% from 3-point range, and 66.7% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 83.5 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 71.6 PPG against them. Arizona has an ATS record of 14-15-1 this season and their O/U record is 16-14.


UCLA is coming into this game with a 26-4 record overall and they are 16-0 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They are also 17-2 in their conference schedule this season as well. They are entering this game on a 9 game winning streak with wins coming against the Washington Huskies, the Washington State Cougars, the Oregon State Beavers, the Oregon Ducks, the Stanford Cardinal, the California Golden Bears, the Utah Utes, the Colorado Buffaloes, and the Arizona State Sun Devils in their last game. Jaime Jaquez Jr. led the team in points in that game with 26 while Tyger Campbell was next on the team with 18 points. Tyger Campbell led the team in assists in that game with 4 while Adem Bona and Jaylen Clark each led the team in rebounds with 11. They were 41.9% from the field, 26.7% from 3-point range, and 85.2% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 73.9 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 59.7 PPG against them. UCLA has an ATS record of 17-12-1 this season and their O/U record is 14-16.



Arizona vs UCLA Prediction

The current betting odds have UCLA listed as a 5.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Both of these teams are entering this game as ranked teams and both are ranked as some of the best teams in the country. UCLA has been really good this year with their 26-4 record overall and they are running the PAC-12 right now with their 17-2 conference record. They have also been a really good home team with their 16-0 home record as they are undefeated there this season and they are one of the hottest teams in the country right now with 9 wins in a row too. Arizona has also been really good with their 25-5 record overall but they haven't been as good in the PAC-12 with a 14-5 conference record. They are also 6-3 in their road games which isn't bad at all but they just bounced back in their last game with a win as they have picked up 2 losses in their last 5 games now. UCLA has been the better team in the conference all season and they have been the much hotter team over these last few weeks too. Arizona also beat UCLA at home earlier in the season so UCLA will be looking to end their season with a crushing home win and some revenge here. The best way to place a bet here is on UCLA to cover the spread in this game. 

Arizona UCLA Prediction:  Our NCAAB Pick for Saturday, March 4, 2023 (10:00 pm ET start time) is UCLA 82 Arizona 74.
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NCAAB Betting Trends


Arizona Wildcats: 7-13 ATS after 2 straight games with 9 or less offensive rebounds. 14-26 ATS after allowing 80 points or more 2 straight games. 20-11 OVER in road games.
UCLA Bruins: 24-15 ATS as a home favorite or pick. 24-15 ATS off a home win. 23-17 OVER as a home favorite or pick.

Key Injuries


Arizona Wildcats:  None.
UCLA Bruins:  A. Canka (G) Ques Sat - Illness. E. Manjikian (F) Out indefinitely - Arm.

Notable Quotes


"They’re a good team and I don’t think Drew Peterson was at 100 percent today. He makes a big difference for them, but I thought our guys played really solid overall. They were pretty consistent for the most part all game. They made a few mini runs at us, but we kind of withstood them.” - Tommy Lloyd after his team’s win against USC in their last game. 


“We got down and I was upset myself. I knew that I don’t have many games left, so I’m gonna go down swinging. My teammates were able to find me in open spots. I was trying to do everything I could just to put our team back into the game.” - Jaime Jaquez Jr. after their win against ASU in their last game. 


Starting Lineups


Arizona Wildcats
O. Ballo 
K. Kriisa 
P. Larsson 
C. Ramey 
A. Tubelis

UCLA Bruins
A. Bailey 
A. Bona 
T. Campbell 
J. Clark 
J. Jaquez

Statistical Leaders


Arizona Wildcats
PPG: A. Tubelis (19.6)
APG: K. Kriisa (5.5)
Reb/G: A. Tubelis (9.1)

UCLA Bruins
PPG: J. Jaquez Jr. (17.3)
APG: T. Campbell (4.7)
Reb/G: J. Jaquez Jr. (7.9)

Coaches:
Arizona Wildcats: Tommy Lloyd (2nd season)
UCLA Bruins: Mick Cronin (4th season)


Rod Pearson

About the Author:

Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life.  He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years.  In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective.  Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.

All photographic images used for editorial content have been licensed from the Associated Press.

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