The California Golden Bears (5-8, 0-1 Pac-12) will be at Pauley Pavilion to clash against the UCLA Bruins (8-6, 1-0 Pac-12) in a Pac-12 matchup. The game will air on Pac-12 Network at 4 p.m. ET on Saturday, January 5, 2019.
California Golden Bears at UCLA Bruins ATS Odds
In their last game, the Bruins won big over the Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons, 96-71, while the Golden Bears fell to the Yale Bulldogs, 76-59.
The Bruins had a much better offensive rebounding percentage (37.1 vs. 13.3) and had a much better effective field goal percentage (0.595 vs. 0.430). California, on the other hand, had a better free throw rate (0.412 vs. 0.327). Kris Wilkes played a pivotal role for UCLA with 27 points and 10 rebounds. Meanwhile, California was led by Paris Austin, who contributed 18 points.
The Bruins dominated this series last year, winning both games. In the most recent contest, UCLA won 70-57. Getting to the free throw line was one of UCLA’s biggest advantages. They had 32 free throw attempts, while California had just 16. This is the first time these teams will go head-to-head this year.
Wilkes and Moses Brown have been playing well over the last five games for UCLA. Wilkes has averaged 0 points, while Brown has put up 0 points a game during that span.
It will be a matchup of conflicting paces as the up-and-down Bruins will look to push the more half-court-oriented Golden Bears. The Bruins rank 60th in possessions per game while the Golden Bears are 319th. The Golden Bears should be expected to protect the ball well. They rank 41st at avoiding errors (turnover percentage of 15.9 percent), while the Bruins force the third-fewest turnovers in the NCAA (opponents’ turnover percentage of 14.7 percent).
California Golden Bears at UCLA Bruins Betting Pick
College Basketball Pick: SU Winner – California, ATS Winner – California, O/U – Under
Betting Notes:
- UCLA ranks 12th in rebounds per game (42.6) while California ranks 266th (27.9).
- The Bruins rank 17th in blocks per game (5.4) while the Golden Bears rank 87th (3.7).
- California ranks 19th in steals allowed per game (4.7) while UCLA ranks 87th (6.1).
- The Golden Bears rank 62nd in three pointers allowed per game (20.4) while the Bruins rank 235th (26.6).
- UCLA ranks 88th in assists per game (14.9) while California ranks 179th in assists allowed per game (14.8).
Bettings Trends:
- During their last five games, the Bruins have scored an average of 85.8 points per game (8.2 above their season average) and allowed an average of 72.2 points per game (1.1 below their season average).
- The Golden Bears’ average margin of defeat in their last five games has been 2.2, down from 5.2 for the season.
