The UCLA Bruins meet the No. 4 Arizona Wildcats in the Hall of Fame Series Monday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Tip is set for 10 p.m. ET. Let's analyze NCAA basketball odds around the UCLA vs. Arizona odds and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions for the best bets.
The Bruins, who have been coached by Mick Cronin since 2019, were 24-12 a season ago and 13-7 in Big Ten action. Their season ended with a second-round NCAA Tournament loss to the UConn Huskies. Three of Cronin's starters a season ago will be back, with G Trent Perry as the main name to keep an eye on. The Bruins also added 6-foot-1 G Jaylen Petty, who averaged 9.9 points per game with the Texas Tech Red Raiders last season.
The Wildcats are coming off
arguably one of the best seasons in program history, ending the year 36-3 and 16-2 in Big 12 play. They were the No. 1 West seed in the NCAA Tournament and lost in the Final Four to the Michigan Wolverines. While they lost their 3 main scorers, F Ivan Kharchenkov and C Motiejus Krivas, both of whom averaged more than 10 points per game, will be returning for Tommy Lloyd's squad. The big question for Arizona will be its backcourt of 5-star G Caleb Holt and North Carolina Tar Heels transfer G Derek Dixon. Their success will be pivotal early in the season.
Arizona beat UCLA 69-65 last season, but the Bruins leads the all-time series between the conference rivals 64-51.
– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll
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Arizona vs. UCLA odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:26 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): UCLA +170 (bet $100 to win $170) | Arizona -210 (bet $210 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): UCLA +4.5 (-102) | Arizona -4.5 (-118)
- Over/Under (O/U): 149.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
UCLA vs. Arizona picks and predictions
Prediction
Arizona 78, UCLA 74
Moneyline
PASS.
Avoid this play. Arizona (-210) should come out on top yet is too expensive to consider. UCLA (+170) has some value here, but it is better played on the spread.
Against the spread
BET UCLA +4.5 (-102).
The Bruins should have less of an identity crisis. Perry averaged 12.6 points per game last season and should be primed to be the main weapon for Cronin. UCLA will have ample size, with 3 players in its starting lineup at least 6-foot-8, which should help dominate the paint and limit the Wildcats' second-chance efforts.
For Arizona, Holt, the No. 3 overall prospect in his recruiting class, and Dixon are on the more unproven but high-ceiling side. Dixon shot just 36.5% from the field last season. While the Wildcats have some assets back from a season ago, none of their top-3 scorers are back, so they may struggle to find offense early.
Expect a close game and take UCLA +4.5 (-102).
Over/Under
BET OVER 149.5 (-110).
Unlike many teams in college hoops, both of these teams have long-standing coaches and strong returning starters. That knowledge of the systems should help keep the offense flowing for each side. For Arizona, last season, it started off against Florida and put up 93 points as the Over hit. The Wildcats ranked 63rd of 365 programs in field goal attempts per game. They have the legs to get out and run and should push the pace Monday.
Back OVER 149.5 (-110).
Betting odds calculator
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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: UCLA Bruins vs. Arizona Wildcats odds, picks and predictions
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