The Arizona State Sun Devils will head out to Los Angeles to face the UCLA Bruins in Pac-12 play from the Pauley Pavilion on ESPN. UCLA leads the all-time series, 72-24, after winning five of the last six meetings.
Arizona State jumped to 20-7 after beating Arizona in Tucson. The Sun Devils stuck with the Wildcats the whole way, and they’d steal the contest on a game-winner, 89-88. ASU scores 71.4 points per game, while allowing 66.6 ppg, and shooting 42.2% from the floor.
Arizona State may have booked their ticket to the Big Dance with the upset win over top-ten ranked Arizona, and a strong effort in LA this week would sweeten their case even more. The Sun Devils are 11-7 in Pac-12 play, with a 7-4 road record. Fifth-year guard Desmond Cambridge Jr. added to his college legend with the game-winning shot over the Wildcats, and he leads ASU in scoring (13.9). Junior guard DJ Horne has picked things up down the stretch, scoring 15 points or more in four of the last six games, and he’s up to 11.8 ppg.
UCLA improved to 25-4 after defeating Colorado in Boulder. The Bruins jumped out to a big halftime lead, and held on to beat the Buffs by four, 60-56. UCLA is scoring 74.2 points per game, while allowing 59.7 ppg, and shooting 46.6% from the field.
UCLA has won eight straight games, and after clinching the regular season crown over the weekend, they’ll look to close out strong here at Pauley. The Bruins are 16-2 in Pac-12 play, with a 15-0 home record. Senior swingman Jaime Jacquez Jr. turned things up in February, and after scoring 20 points or more in five of the last seven games, he leads UCLA in scoring (17.0) and rebounding (8.0). Junior guard Jaylen Clark has improved in a bigger role this season, and he’s averaging 13.0 ppg and 6.1 rpg. Veteran point guard Tyler Campbell scored 22 points in the first win over ASU, and he leads the Bruins in assists (4.8), while scoring 12.4 ppg.
Arizona State is 12-16 against the spread this season, with a 17-10 over/under record. UCLA is 14-12 ATS this year, with a 18-8 o/u record.
UCLA basketball is back, and they are real threats to win big this March. The Bruins have ripped off nine consecutive wins, and a tenth straight victory in their home finale would serve as a chef’s kiss for their regular season performance. Now, while UCLA should win this contest, the double digit margin favors a fiesty Arizona State team. The Sun Devils are positioned well enough to receive a bid to go dancing with a win at UCLA or USC this week, so they should come into this uphill battle ready to compete. The Bruins have already clinched the regular season title, so more motive may lie on ASU’s side Thursday evening. Spot Arizona State the points for this Pac-12 contest.
AUTHOR: Corey Ghee
