Colorado Buffaloes (18-7) vs UCLA Bruins (17-5)
Game Info: Saturday, February 27, 2021 at 10:00 pm (CU Events Center)
Betting Odds: Colorado Buffaloes -6.5 -- Over/Under: 136 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The UCLA Bruins will travel to the CU Events Center to take on the Colorado Buffaloes this Saturday night in College Basketball action.
The UCLA Bruins won their 4th straight game and improved to 17-5 on the season after defeating the Utah Utes, 76-61, this past Thursday night. UCLA was outstanding offensively on the road against Utah and had no trouble securing the victory after taking a 51-32 lead with 15:56 left in regulation. UCLA shot 55.4% from the field and 57.9% from beyond the arc while Utah shot 44.8% from the field and 42.9% from beyond the arc. UCLA outrebounded Utah by a 32-26 margin and committed just 10 turnovers in the loss. Leading the way for the Bruins was Johnny Juzang who had 18 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, & 2 steals.
On the season, UCLA is averaging 73.5 ppg on 45.8% shooting from the field. The Bruins are averaging 6.9 three-pointers per game on 37.0% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, UCLA has been led by Johnny Juzang (14.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1.9 apg), Jamie Jaquez Jr. (12.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.2 spg), Tyger Campbell (10.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 5.6 apg, 1.1 spg), & Cody Riley (10.5 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.2 apg).
Defensively, UCLA is holding their opponents to an average of 67.4 ppg on 43.0% shooting from the field. The Bruins have a rebound margin of 4.9 and a turnover margin of 1.3.
The Colorado Buffaloes won their 2nd straight game and improved to 18-7 on the season after defeating the 19th ranked USC Trojans, 80-62, this past Thursday night. Colorado was outstanding defensively against USC and had no trouble picking p the victory after going into halftime with a 42-29 lead. Colorado shot 47.4% from the field and 54.5% from beyond the arc while USC shot 38.3% from the field and 31.3% from beyond the arc. Colorado outrebounded USC by a 35-34 margin and won the turnover battle by a 12-11 margin in the victory. Leading the way for the Buffaloes was Jeriah Horne who had a double-double with 24 points, 11 rebounds, & 2 assists.
On the season, Colorado is averaging 73.8 ppg on 45.7% shooting from the field. The Buffaloes are averaging 7.7 three-pointers per game on 36.9% shooting from beyond the arc. Offensively, Colorado has been led by McKinley Wright IV (14.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 5.8 apg, 1.1 spg), Jeriah Horne (11.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.0 apg), Evan Battey (9.9 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.0 apg), & D’Shawn Schwartz (8.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1.2 apg).
Defensively, Colorado is holding their opponents to an average of 63.1 ppg on 41.5% shooting from the field. The Buffaloes have a rebound margin of 4.0 and a turnover margin of 2.1.
The Bruins are 10-3-1 ATS in their last 14 games following a ATS win, however, are just 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games overall. The Buffaloes are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 home games and 10-4 ATS in their last 14 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
UCLA is battling for the Pac-12 Championship, however, I think their going to run into a hard time facing a motivated Colorado team in Boulder. Colorado has slipped up a few times as we have seen in losses to Washington & California, however, the Buffaloes have shown time and time again that they have the talent to give any team a run for their money. Colorado is 9-1 at home after their impressive victory against USC and between the fact that their defense ranks 26th in scoring offense and that they are on pace to be the best FT shooting team of all time in College Basketball, I think Colorado runs away with this one in the 2nd half and cover this mid-range spread. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick Colorado Buffaloes -6.5
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Follow Brett Nault on Twitter @BrettCU05