Barry Recks
The Arizona Wildcats will shoot for another win versus the UCLA Bruins this coming Saturday, but that is beating UCLA on the road is going to be easier said than done. Do you think Arizona can pull it off? Or do you think the Bruins will get even with the Wildcats?
Read on for more about this Arizona vs UCLA matchup in the 2022-23 college basketball season, including the latest odds, pick, and prediction to win this showdown, as brought to you by JefeBet. Also, don’t forget to check out the other NCAAB game previews here to help you make the best betting decisions.
Predictions and Betting Preview for the Arizona Wildcats vs UCLA Bruins College Basketball Game on March 4, 2023
- Where: Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, California
- When: Saturday, March 4, 2023, 10:00 PM ET
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Betting on the Arizona Wildcats
- Regular Season Record: 25-5
Arizona is not going to catch the Bruins atop the Pac-12 standing as the Wildcats simply don’t have enough games left on the schedule, but it will be incredibly sweet for Tommy Lloy’s team if it goes 2-0 straight up this season versus UCLA.
The Wildcats beat UCLA at home back in January, 58-52, during which Arizona showed its defense can be effective as well. Arizona is not exactly a defensive team, but against the Bruins, the Wildcats were able to score a victory by leaning a lot on their defense. The Bruins shot just 31.3 FG% in that game and posted an eyesore effective field goal percentage of 34.3%.
This time, though, Arizona will look to coax more from its offense which is averaging over 80 points per game this season and is top 10 in the nation in terms of adjusted offensive efficiency. Arizona is 3-0 against the spread in its last three games versus the Bruins.
Betting on the UCLA Bruins
- Regular Season Record: 26-4
All UCLA wants is to score revenge against the Wildcats – and of course, prevent a loss that will further hurt its chances to secure a No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament. Although the Bruins suffered a loss to Arizona earlier this season, don’t expect UCLA to get intimidated by the Wildcats in this coming weekend’s showdown.
After all, UCLA has won in all of its last four games as the home team versus the Wildcats, dating back to 2019. The Bruins have also covered the spread in all those games, thus underscoring just how big of a nightmare they are to Arizona when the game is played at Pauley Pavilion.
As for basketball itself, look for UCLA to unleash its usual suffocating defense. It is top five nationally in adjusted defensive efficiency and as well as in terms of points allowed per game. UCLA is also 6-4 ATS in its last 10 games overall versus the Wildcats.
JefeBet Prediction
UCLA plays its usual brand of stout defense but also manages to finally take advantage of Arizona’s inferior D.
Prediction: UCLA spread.
