The UCLA Bruins are among the top-ranked teams in the country, but thanks to an early loss to the Oregon Ducks, are only in the middle of the pack in the Pac-12. They will aim to start a march up the standings with a win over the California Bears next time out.
UCLA has a bundle of talent and despite the recent loss could be a national title contender. Cal has been competitive of late against ranked foes but will have a really tough time on the road for this one. The Bruins will undoubtedly be heavy favorites to take care of business as they try to start another winning streak.
This war on the floor will go down Thursday, January 5, 2017, at 9 p.m. ET at 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 14-1 straight up and 10-5 against the spread this season. The Bruins have played nine home games and have covered the spread in six of those. They have been the favorites in all but one game this year, going 9-5 against the spread as such.
California is 10-4 straight up but only 5-9 against the spread on the year. The Bears played a relatively easy non-conference schedule and have only been the underdog once this year. They failed to cover in that game but hope to do better here while getting points.
Player to Watch
Jabari Bird -- The California senior guard missed a chunk of time earlier this season due to a back injury but has now returned and is playing well. He is scoring 15.8 points per game while adding 5.5 rebounds and has the type of experience to not get intimidated in this matchup.
Bird has averaged nearly 20 points per game over his past four and needs to play well. He is flanked by Ivan Rabb and Charlie Moore, who are both averaging more than 15 points per game, and that trio hopes to be competitive against UCLA.
Bird is one of the better players in the conference and hopes to show his worth in this one.
Key Stat
93.9. That’s the points per game the Bruins are averaging this season, one of the best totals in the country. California only allows 60.3 per contest but will have its hands full in this one.
UCLA is led in scoring by T.J. Leaf, who is averaging 17.5 points per contest while adding 8.9 rebounds and 1.3 blocks per game. Bryce Alford is another key cog, scoring 16.3 points while shooting 47.2 percent from the field and 41.5 percent from three-point range.
Isaac Hamilton is contributing 14.7 points per game, Lonzo Ball is adding 14.3 points with 8.1 assists and 5.7 rebounds, and Aaron Holliday adds 13.9 points per contest.
Very few teams have the type of depth and balance that UCLA possesses. Ball is the player to watch but he has plenty of help as the Bruins can beat you in myriad ways.
Free College Basketball ATS Picks
The Bruins seemed to have their game in Oregon in the bag but gave it away in the final minute. It was a tough road game, so the team can’t be knocked too much for the loss.
UCLA could still be the team to beat in the Pac-12, but has to start stringing together wins because Oregon and Arizona are worthy foes. California is a decent team and hopes to push for an NCAA men’s basketball tournament berth but isn’t in the same category as this talented UCLA squad.
Choose the Bruins to shake off last week’s loss and cruise to the win at home in this matchup against California.
College Basketball Odds: UCLA 84, Cal 72
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