Western Michigan vs. UCLA Pick
Will No. 2 UCLA be challenged at all when it takes on Western Michigan tonight at 11PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, UCLA is the overwhelming favorite today, as the Bruins are getting odds of -30.5 points against Western Michigan. The over/under total for the contest has been set at 173.5 points. These two have no recent meetings to consider.
Bet on Western Michigan vs. UCLA
UCLA is a perfect 12-0 on the season thanks to an 86-73 win over Ohio State this past weekend in Vegas. The Bruins have also been very good against the spread, covering in nine straight to get to 10-2 against the spread this season. That includes one game as a 30-point favorite. Bruins are averaging 96.9 points per game for the season while allowing 74.5 points per game. The defensive total is more of a result of their pace of play as opposed to being poor defensively. TJ Leaf is averaging 17.8 points and 9.3 rebounds per game while Isaac Hamilton is averaging 17.3 points per game. Thomas Welsh is questionable to play today because of an injury. He is averaging 11.1 points and 9.6 rebounds when he plays.
Western Michigan is coming off a 92-86 loss at Washington. The Broncos fell to 3-7 on the season but covered in the loss and are now 4-4 against the spread. They have covered in two straight overall and three of their last four as an underdog. That included a 76-65 loss to Villanova. Western is giving up 80.7 points per game on defense this year while scoring 75.4 points per contest. Thomas Wilder is averaging 16.1 points per game to lead the team while Tucker Haymond is averaging 13.1 points and 3.9 assists per game.
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While UCLA should be able to win this game without any difficulty, I don’t feel great about any team giving up 30.5 points. The Broncos aren’t great, but they have been able to stay within reason against some good teams this year. A lot can happen, especially in garbage time, for a team to not win by 30 points.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL DAILY PREDICTION: WESTERN MICHIGAN +30.5