At the beginning of the season UCLA head coach Steve Alford was feeling the heat. Few fans or gamblers have forgotten about last spring and the disastrous First Four loss in the NCAA Tournament. Certainly, it will take a long time for the Bruins and Alford to live that down. So far this season UCLA has shown signs of recovering. And one of their best opportunities with Vegas lines NCAA basketball occurs on Saturday. The Ohio State Buckeyes are ranked and a Big Ten favorite. Therefore, Saturday’s matchup on CBS from Chicago rates Big Time!
UCLA Bruns vs. Ohio State Buckeyes
Date and Time: Saturday, December 22, 2018, 3 p.m. Eastern
Location: United Center, Chicago, Illinois
NCAA Betting Online Odds: Click Here!
Bruins vs. Buckeyes TV Coverage: CBS
Ohio State Buckeyes
Ohio State has bolted out of the gate as one of the top Big Ten teams with Vegas lines NCAA basketball. For example, the Buckeyes are 9-1 straight up, 6-4 vs. the odds, and 5-4-1 over the total. Late on the Scarlet and Gray has paid in three of their last five outings. Defense is the bedrock of the Ohio State team. Consider the Buckeyes national ranking of 22nd for fewest points allowed. Offensively OSU is solid though not spectacular. Hence their ranking of 112th in the country for scoring. Syracuse is the only team to have beaten Ohio State this season 72-62.
UCLA Bruns
Kris Wilkes leads UCLA with 17.4 points per game. Additionally, center Moses Brown brings help with 11.8 points and 9.7 rebounds per matchup. Along the same lines Ohio State is led by Kaleb Wesson with 15.1 points and 6.6 rebounds per game. Secondly CJ Jackson offers support with 12.4 points per outing.
Stats to Consider
UCLA has not been able to generate offshore betting sportsbook profits so far on the season. Overall the Bruins are 7-3 straight up, 4-6 against the spread, and 3-7 under the total. Presently UCLA is in weak form with just two payouts in their last seven games. Seven of their last eight games have gone under the total. Counter to Ohio State is UCLA’s defensive capability. The Bruins rank 172nd in the nation for scoring defense. Cause by good offense is UCLA’s ability. To be exact the Bruins rank 68th for scoring offense.
Team vs. Team
UCLA has had their share of struggles as a board value in road games. For example, the Bruins have covered just seven of their last 19 matchups away from home. Seven of UCLA’s last ten road tilts have gone over the total. Balanced against that is Ohio State’s reliability on the board in away games. The Buckeyes have covered the spread in eight of their last 11 games away from Columbus. Six of their last eight matchups on the road have gone under the total.
Matchup to Watch
As has been noted Ohio State has the better metrics for this matchup. In the second place UCLA has not been a reliable Vegas lines NCAA basketball value. For that reason, along with Ohio State’s defense, do the Buckeyes rate higher.
UCLA vs. Ohio State NCAA games Betting Odds Picks
Summing up Ohio State is in the better spot here.
UCLA vs. Ohio State NCAA Betting Online Pick: Ohio State Buckeyes
UCLA vs. Ohio State NCAA Betting Online Score Prediction: Ohio State 81, UCLA 71
Catch highlights of Ohio State’s recent Big Ten win over Illinois!