Barry Recks
The California Golden Bears and the UCLA Bruins are the David and Goliaths in the Pac-12, respectively. Will we see David come through with a win? Or do you think UCLA will crush the Golden Bears?
Read on for more about this California 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 California Golden Bears vs UCLA Bruins College Basketball Game on February 18, 2023
- Where: Pauley Pavilion, Los Angeles, California
- When: Saturday, February 18, 2023, 10:30 PM ET
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Betting on the California Golden Bears
- Regular Season Record: 3-23
There isn’t a lot to celebrate about the season California is having. The Golden Bears already have double-digit losses in conference play alone and are already guaranteed to finish the season with an overall losing record regardless of what happens the rest of the way.
That’s not to say there’s nothing to like about this team. Devin Askew and Lars Thiemann are bright spots for California. Askew leads the team in scoring and is the team’s best playmaker. The 7-foot Thiemann, meanwhile, is pretty solid on the glass. The Golden Bears’ size can give UCLA some problems.
California, which is the sixth tallest team in Division I basketball this season, is 2-1 ATS in its last two meetings with the Bruins, dating back to 2021.
Betting on the UCLA Bruins
- Regular Season Record: 22-4
UCLA is arguably the best team in the Pac-12. What’s clear as day is that the Bruins are the better team many folds over than the Golden Bears. The Bruins have wins against the likes of the Oregon Ducks, Maryland Terrapins, Kentucky Wildcats, and the USC Trojans this season, while California has suffered losses at the hands of teams like the UC Davis Aggies, Texas State Bobcats, and UC San Diego Tritons.
UCLA’s intimidating defense and efficient offense are capable of flattening a seemingly weak California side. The Bruins are top 30 in the nation in adjusted offensive efficiency and top 5 in adjusted defensive efficiency. UCLA has also won all of its last nine home games versus California, going 7-2 ATS in that stretch as well.
JefeBet Prediction
UCLA is the easy pick here. It’s playing at home against an ultra-light opponent.
Prediction: UCLA covers.
