UCLA (5-1) vs Southern Utah (6-1)
Game Info: Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at 10:00 pm (Pauley Pavilion)
The Line: Betting Odds: UCLA -22.5 / Southern Utah +22.5 — Over/Under: 141
The Southern Utah Thunderbirds are visiting the UCLA Bruins on Tuesday, November 26th at the Pauley Pavilion. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Southern Utah Thunderbirds vs UCLA Bruins Prediction.
UCLA Bruins Preview
The UCLA Bruins have a 5-1 record this season and are coming off an 80-47 win over Cal State Fullerton. The Bruins are 4-2 against the spread, and 1-5 in over/under while having a 5-0 home record.
Offensively, UCLA is averaging 78.2 points per game, which ranks 171st in the nation. Defensively, they allow 54 points per game, which is the 5th-best in the nation. The Bruins shoot 48.4% from the field (73rd) and 31.9% from beyond the arc (232nd). The Bruins shoot 73.3% from the free-throw line (115th) and are grabbing 37.2 rebounds per game (183rd).
Tyler Bilodeau leads UCLA in scoring with an average of 15.5 points and a team-high 6.2 rebounds, while Eric Dailey adds 11.8 points and 6 rebounds.
Southern Utah Thunderbirds Preview
The Southern Utah Thunderbirds have a 6-1 record this season and are coming off an 82-67 win over Idaho. The Thunderbirds are 3-2 against the spread, and 1-3-1 in over/under, while they have a 1-1 road record.
Offensively, Southern Utah is averaging 84 points per game, which ranks 57th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 68.6 points per game (130th). The Thunderbirds shoot 47.6% from the field (98th) and 36.8% from beyond the arc (90th). The Thunderbirds shoot 71.8% from the free-throw line (150th) and are grabbing 42.6 rebounds per game (36th).
Jamir Simpson leads Southern Utah in scoring with an average of 18.4 points and 4.3 rebounds, while Dominique Ford adds 13.9 points. Southern Utah will meet CSU Bakersfield, Arizona, New Mexico State, UTRGV, and Northern Arizona after this one.
Why the UCLA Bruins will win
- UCLA has won each of its last 23 night games at Edwin W. Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescon following a home win.
- Southern Utah has lost each of its last six Tuesday games against non-conference opponents.
- UCLA has won the first half in 23 of its last 26 games against non-conference opponents at Edwin W. Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescon.
Why the Southern Utah Thunderbirds will win
- Southern Utah has won seven of its last eight games.
- Southern Utah has won the first half in seven of its last eight games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
Total Points Facts
- Fourteen of UCLA’s last 15 games against non-AP-ranked opponents at Edwin W. Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescon have produced a total of 139 or fewer points.
- Each of Southern Utah’s last seven Tuesday night games against non-conference opponents has produced a total of 148+ points.
Matchup/League Facts
- UCLA ranks 2nd among Division 1 teams for opponent blocks per game this season (1.2).
- UCLA ranks 3rd among Division 1 teams for opponent points per game this season (54.0).
- Southern Utah ranks T33rd among Division 1 teams for opponent three-point field goal attempts per game this season (18.6).
- Southern Utah ranks 34th among Division 1 teams for rebounds per game this season (42.3).
Southern Utah Thunderbirds vs UCLA Bruins Prediction
In their only previous meeting back in 2019, UCLA won at home, 76-61. In this Southern Utah Thunderbirds vs UCLA Bruins Prediction, UCLA is coming as a -22.5 home favorites. UCLA comes with the 5th-best defense nationally and is facing a Southern Utah offense that sits in the top 60. While both teams are playing excellent defense, allowing 122.6 points combined, they have very efficient offenses, as both rank within the top 100 in field goal percentage and average 162.2 points per game combined. On top of that, Southern Utah is also elite from beyond the arc, ranking 90th in the nation in 3-point percentage so I see a lot of points in this game. Take the over.