UCLA head coach Mick Cronin is elevating the Bruins to the level fans and gamblers demand. But the ghost of John Wooden hovers over any UCLA coach. Just ask Ben Howland. From 2007 through 2009, Howland took UCLA to three consecutive Final Fours. Including one championship game. Yet Howland was fired in 2013 after an NCAA Tournament season. Coaches have a short shelf life in Westwood. Because UCLA fans still believe a national championship should be theirs every year. So far, Cronin is showing he can beat the College Basketball odds in a significant way.
Arizona Wildcats vs. UCLA Bruins Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Saturday, March 4, 2023, 10 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Pauley Pavilion, Westwood, California |
| TV Coverage: | ESPN |
| Betting Online Odds at SBG: | Click Here |
Arizona at UCLA SBG Odds Overview
It is true that UCLA fans are demanding based on a past that no longer exists. It doesn’t matter to them that Wooden took advantage of a vastly weaker landscape and a mega booster that delivered NIL before there was NIL. So, as good as Cronin does, he has much more to accomplish. But the sports betting public is buying into UCLA at an increasing rate. Of great concern are recent losses by Arizona that illustrate its defensive liabilities for March Madness.
Arizona Wildcats Team Overview
The Arizona Wildcats are 24-5 straight up, 13-15-1 against the spread, and 15-14 over/under the total. Overall, Arizona has national metrics of 5th for scoring offense, 9th for field goal percentage, 34th for 3-point field goal percentage, 167th for free throw percentage, and 6th for offensive rebounding. While on defense, Arizona has national rankings of 220th for scoring defense, 43rd for field goal percentage permitted, 116th for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 140th for defensive rebounding.
Late on, Arizona failed to get the cash in three of its previous four games. The Wildcats went over the total in four of their last five outings. Arizona is coming off a shocking 89-88 home loss to the hated arch-rival Arizona State Sun Devils. In turn, the loss puts into question Arizona’s March Madness bona fides. The Wildcat defense was exposed for the liability it truly is.
It is true that Arizona beat UCLA, USC, Tennessee, and Indiana. Offsetting that were losses to Stanford, Washington State, and Arizona State. Arizona’s weakness is a defense among the worst in major college hoops.
UCLA Bruins Team Overview
The UCLA Bruins are 25-4 straight up, 16-12-1 against the spread, and 13-16 over/under the total. To summarize, UCLA has national metrics of 120th for scoring offense, 67th for field goal percentage, 75th for 3-point field goal percentage, 237th for free throw percentage, and 151st for offensive rebounding. While on defense, UCLA has national rankings of 8th for scoring defense, 34th for field goal percentage permitted, 32nd for 3-point field goal percentage allowed, and 49th for defensive rebounding.
UCLA lost only one of its previous six games to the spread. Also, three of its previous five games went under the total. Jaime Jaquez Jr leads the Bruins with 17.0 points and 8.1 rebounds per contest. Correlate UCLA leads Arizona and USC by three games for the Pac-12 Conference lead.
Arizona at UCLA SBG Free Picks
In this situation, UCLA is the more consistent and proven NCAABB betting
choice.
Arizona at UCLA SBG Best Bet: UCLA Bruins.