The UCLA Bruins survived a scare last time out, but don’t figure to be challenged in back-to-back contests. UCLA will host the Arizona State Sun Devils this week in a Pac-12 affair.
While Arizona State has held up OK in conference action, it is in rebuilding mode and does not have the talent to hang with the high-flying Bruins. UCLA is one of the best teams in the nation and should be able to flex its muscle in this matchup.
At 7 p.m. ET, tune into ESPN for live television coverage of this NCAA basketball game on Thursday, January 19, 2017, at the Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles, California.
We'll have NCAA basketball odds at BookMaker.eu available for this and every game on the college basketball Thursday schedule.
Odds at BookMaker.eu
UCLA is 18-1 straight up and 11-8 against the spread. The Bruins have covered in six of 11 attempts at home this season. They have been favored in all but one game this season, covering 10 times and failing to do so eight times.
Arizona State is 9-9 straight up and 7-9-1 against the spread. The Sun Devils have played well on the road this season, covering in three of four games in hostile environments. Arizona State is 4-6 against the spread as the underdog this season and will aim to improve on that mark.
Both teams have consistently hit the “over” in their matchups, and even though it figures to be high in this matchup, consider taking that side of the total because this one could be a shootout.
Matchup to Watch
The Bruins are one of the highest scoring teams in the nation while Arizona State has trouble slowing down opponents, which could be a recipe for a lot of easy UCLA buckets. The Bruins are pouring in 92.9 points per game while shooting a sparkling 53.2 percent from the field because their fast-breaking and halfcourt abilities are impressive.
Arizona State is scoring 81.6 points per contest, which is all well and good, but allows 82.9 per game, one of the higher marks nationally. The Sun Devils must contend with UCLA star Lonzo Ball, who is averaging 14.6 points, 8.0 assists and 5.6 rebounds per contest.
The Bruins’ leading scorer is Bryce Alford, who averages 17.8 points per contest while shooting 50 percent from the field and 46.8 percent from three-point range. T.J. Leaf is also a threat, as he averages 16.8 points and 8.9 rebounds per game.
Player to Watch
Torian Graham -- Arizona State’s only chance to keep this game close is to get a big-time performance from its senior guard. Graham is averaging 18.1 points and 4.1 rebounds per game this season in his first with the Sun Devils.
Graham is shooting 48.3 percent from the field and 39.3 percent from three-point range but could have trouble getting clean looks against an athletic UCLA defense. Graham had 18 points last time out but didn’t get enough help in a blowout loss to Arizona.
Graham may need to have the type of game he did in an upset of Stanford, when he scored 30 points on 12-of-17 shooting while bringing down eight rebounds.
Free College Basketball ATS Picks
UCLA was in a tough game last time out against Utah and came away with a narrow one-point win when the Bruins got a defensive stop on the Utes’ final possession. This one isn’t expected to be nearly as competitive.
Arizona State has found some success at home this year and has played decent on the road at times, but besides Graham and point guard Tra Holder doesn’t have enough talent to keep up with UCLA. Look for another big game from Ball to lead the way for an easy win for the Bruins.
College Basketball Odds: UCLA 92, Arizona State 74
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