The Colorado Buffaloes got off to a nice start in the non-conference schedule but have struggled in Pac-12 action. Colorado will need to turn it around in order to have a shot at making the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, but it will be a tough matchup next time out against the UCLA Bruins.
UCLA has proven to be one of the top teams in the country and is looking like a legitimate national championship contender. The Bruins will be the favorites in this one despite playing on the road.
At 11 p.m. ET, tune into FS1 for live television coverage of this NCAA basketball game on Thursday, January 12, 2017, at the Coors Events Center in Boulder, Colorado.
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 15-1 straight up and 10-6 against the spread. The Bruins have played three road games and have covered once. They have covered in nine of 15 attempts as the favorite and will be giving points once again. They have only been the underdog once this year.
Colorado is 10-6 straight up and 5-10 against the spread. The Buffaloes have played seven home games and only covered in two of them. They are 2-3 against the spread as the underdog.
Player to Watch
Lonzo Ball -- UCLA’s best player is its do-everything freshman guard. Ball is averaging 14.3 points, 8.0 assists, 5.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game. He is shooting 51.6 percent from the field and 41 percent from the three-point range.
Ball doesn’t have the best form on his jumpshot but there is very little else to critique. He is a dynamic player in the open court and is one of the most well-rounded players in the conference. The Bruins have plenty of talent but Ball is definitely the catalyst.
Ball had 21 points, eight assists and six rebounds last time out in a blowout win over Stanford last time out and will aim to put up big numbers in Colorado.
Matchup to Watch
Colorado defense vs. UCLA offense - The Buffaloes have done a nice job this season of keeping opposing offenses in check, giving up only 69.0 points per game. But they will have their hands full with the Bruins, who are one of the most explosive teams in the country.
UCLA is putting up 93.1 points per game and shooting a robust 53.6 percent from the field as a team. The Bruins dish out 22.8 assists per game as the ball movement on the offensive side of the court and the team’s ability to get into transition are impressive.
T.J. Leaf is UCLA’s leading scorer, averaging 17.5 points per contest. Bryce Alford can also fill it up, averaging 16.8 points and shooting 43.4 percent from three-point range.
UCLA has six different players averaging in double figures as it is tough for opponents to hone in on just one player to stop. However, Ball is the engine and the Buffaloes will try to limit his productivity in hopes of slowing down the high-flying Bruins.
Free College Basketball ATS Picks
Colorado is 0-3 in conference and this would be a huge upset win to add to its resume. The Buffaloes do get this game at home, which should give them a chance to spring the win as the underdog.
However, UCLA is such a talented and well-rounded team that it seems unlikely it falls in this one. The Bruins stumbled once on the road during Pac-12 action, but that came against Oregon. Colorado is not quite at that level and UCLA should be able to pick up this victory.
The Buffaloes have knocked off two ranked teams this year and have the talent to hang around, but in the end UCLA should pick up a road win to keep pace with the leaders in the conference.
College Basketball Odds: UCLA 85, Colorado 76
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