California Golden Bears vs. UCLA Bruins Predictions, Picks, Odds and NCAA Basketball Betting Preview – January 5, 2017

California Golden Bears vs. UCLA Bruins Betting Preview

Where: Pauley Pavilion – Los Angeles, CA

When: Thursday, January 5, 2017 – 9:00 PM ET

Line: California Golden Bears (TBA) vs. UCLA Bruins (TBA); total: TBA– view all NCAA Basketball lines

TV Broadcast: ESPN

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Betting on the California Golden Bears (TBA)

The Bears will be coming off an 81-65 win over the Arizona State Devils, where they had one of their finest games offensively. They shot 53 percent from the field, unloaded 11 treys (second-most in the season), and dished out 20 assists (tied a season-high). With the win, they are now 10-4 (5-9 ATS), good for fifth in the competitive PAC-12 division.

As they look to upset the Bruins, look for their big three – Jabari Bird, Charlie Moore, Ivan Rabb – to try delivering the blows. The trio is pacing the team in scoring, but Rabb is headlining most of the games, as he is projected to be a future first-round pick in the NBA. The sophomore is averaging 15.2 points and 10.3 rebounds, and has eight double-doubles in 12 contests this season.

Offense has been somewhat of a problem for the Bears, though. Kenpom.com currently rates their offense 143rd in the nation, and they are only scoring 70.9 per game, which places them way below in the stat’s rankings.

Defensively is where they thrive more. Rabb, Kingsley Okoroh, and Kameron Rooks are providing great interior D. Through their towering presence, the Bears have the 38th-most blocks overall (6.5 per game), while also owning the seventh-best defensive efficiency in college basketball.

Betting on the UCLA Bruins (TBA)

After Dillon Brooks’ game-winner ended their undefeated start, the Bruins got back on the winning column last Friday, as they beat Oregon State, 76-63. They are now 14-1 on the season and currently ranked fourth in the nation.

There’s no mystery how the Bruins kill their opponents: it’s their super explosive, sure-fire offense and beautiful passing. With a 93.9 PPG average, which is second overall and first among all ranked teams, and a nation-leading 23.1 APG, they still own one of the best and most elite offenses in the country.

All of that is course credited to the guys they put on the floor, who all play their roles really well. Lonzo Ball, Bryce Alford, and Isaac Hamilton alone combine for almost half of the team points (45.3 PPG), and that doesn’t include Ball also being responsible for plenty of his teammates buckets (8.1 APG).

Down low, they have TJ Leaf, the Bruins’ leading scorer (17.8 PPG), and shot-blocking artist Thomas Welsh (2.3 BPG), who’s also double-double machine like Leaf (he has six out of 11 games).

Their sixth man, Aaron Holiday, is providing great energy off the bench. He’s chipping in 13.9 PPG on 51.5-percent shooting, while also giving out 4.5 dimes.

The Bruins are 14-1 on the season (10-5 ATS).

Writer’s Prediction

UCLA wins, 90-81.

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