Stanford vs. UCLA Pick
Can No. 4 UCLA handle being a sizable favorite at home when it hosts rival Stanford tonight at 8PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, UCLA is the clear favorite today, as the Bruins are getting odds of -20 points against Stanford. The over/under total for the game is listed at 159 points. UCLA has won and covered the spread in three of the last four against Stanford, but the underdog has won three straight meetings in this series.
While UCLA has won its last two since suffered its first loss of the season, the Bruins have not covered in those wins and has failed to cover in four straight. UCLA is now 15-1 overall and 10-6 against the spread. While averaging 93.1 points per game this season, UCLA has yet to hit the 90-point mark in five straight games. Defensively, the Bruins allow 74.1 points per game. TJ Leaf is the leader with 17.5 points and 9.1 rebounds per game. Five other Bruins average double figures in scoring.
Stanford comes into today on a three-game losing streak and the Cardinal haven’t covered the spread in their last five games. Stanford is now 8-7 on the season and 5-9 against the spread. Stanford averages 67.4 points per game on offense this season, but that number dips to 59.7 points per game on the road. Away from home, Stanford is shooting just 37 percent from the field and 23 percent from 3-point land. Defensively, Stanford is giving up 70.4 points per game overall and 77.7 points per game on the road. Opponents have shot 48 percent from the field against Stanford in home games and 42.5 percent from 3-point land. Stanford has been led by Reid Travis, who averages 17.5 points and 9.6 rebounds per game, but he is out with a shoulder injury. Dorian Pickens is the only other player to average double figures in scoring.
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Giving up 20 points is a lot, but Stanford struggles as is on offense and is now without Travis, their leading scorer. The Cardinal don’t play strong enough defense to make up their offensive woes, especially against a talented offense like UCLA. The Bruins should roll to a big win.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL DAILY PREDICTION: UCLA -20