Utah at UCLA - 1/12/23 College Basketball Picks and Prediction

UCLA Bruins (14-2) vs Utah Runnin' Utes (12-5)

Game Info: Thursday, January 12, 2023 at 11:00 pm (Pauley Pavilion)

Betting Odds: UCLA Bruins -12.5 -- Over/Under: 134.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds

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The Utah Utes will travel to Los Angeles to take on the UCLA Bruins from the Pauley Pavilion on the Pac-12 Network. UCLA leads the all-time series, 10-6, after winning five meetings in a row.

Utah dropped to 12-5 following a home loss to UCLA. The Utes trailed the Ducks throughout the contest, and ended up taking their first double-digit loss of the season. Utah is scoring 73.1 points per game, while allowing 61.5 ppg and shooting 45.9% from the floor. 

Utah has opened Pac-12 play at 5-1, they’ve been thriving on the defensive end. It all starts in the middle with senior big Branden Carlson. The 7’ center has been dominant, and after a 27-point double in the over Oregon State, he leads the Utes in scoring (15.7) and rebounding (7.4). Gave Madsen went for a season-high 26 points against TCU, and he’s second on the team in scoring at 12.6 ppg. Former Utah State guards Marco Anthony (11.5 ppg, 7.1 rpg) and Rollie Worster (8.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 5.1 apg) have been game-changers for the Utes this season as well. 

UCLA jumped to 14-2 after beating USC at home. The Bruins held off a fierce rally from the Trojans to take down their crosstown rivals by two points. UCLA is scoring 77.8 points per game, while allowing 60.8 ppg, and shooting 48.1% from the floor. 

UCLA comes into Thursday night’s contest riding an eleven-game win streak, and they’re going to give Arizona a run for their money atop the conference. Jaime Jacquez Jr. is thriving in a bigger role this season, and he’s averaging career-highs of 16.9 ppg and 6.4 rpg. Junior guard Jaylen Clark is second on the team in scoring (14.2), while grabbing a team-lead 6.8 rpg. Four-year starter Tyger Campbell remains consistent, and he’s scoring 13.3 ppg, while dishing out a team-lead 4.6 apg. 

Utah is 10-7 against the spread this season, with a 6-11 over/under record. UCLA is 9-7 ATS this year, with a 8-8 o/u record.

UCLA has the look of a title contender and they carry a ton of momentum into this home contest. This will represent Utah’s stiffest test yet, and they may have a tough time avoiding a second straight loss. The Bruins have a chance to send a message to the conference with an assertive victory here, and I think they come through on their end. Both schools lean on their defensive prowess, so let’s buy into the under for this Pac-12 clash.

Corey’s Pick Under 134.5

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The pick in this article is the opinion of the writer, not a PickDawgz site consensus.

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