UCLA vs. Kentucky Prediction & Odds
Number sixteen UCLA and #13 Kentucky both head to Madison Square Garden to face each other at 5:15 PM ET Saturday afternoon. Can the Wildcats cover the 2-point spread as neutral site underdogs?
UCLA is 9-2 on the year with their best wins coming over Maryland and Oregon. Their only losses came against Illinois and Baylor. The Bruins are 6-5 against the spread this season.
Kentucky is 7-2 this season with their best wins coming over Duquesne and Michigan. Their only losses came against Michigan State and Gonzaga. The Wildcats are 4-5 against the spread this year.
Game Matchup and Betting Odds
667 UCLA Bruins (-2) vs. 668 Kentucky Wildcats (+2); O/U 141
5:15 PM ET, Saturday, December 17, 2022
Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
UCLA vs. Kentucky Public Betting Information
Our CBB Public Betting Information page indicates that the public heavily favors the Wildcats in this contest. Our public betting data illustrates that 90% of public bets are on Kentucky +2. Do note that these numbers are subject to change and could be different once tipoff rolls around, so be sure to check the link so you’re receiving the most up-to-date public betting data.
UCLA Game Notes
One of UCLA’s best players is Riverside, CA native Jaylen Clark. The 6’6” junior guard is second on the team in points per game (15.5), leads the team in rebounds per game (6.1), and ranks first on the club in steals per game (2.5). If that wasn’t enough, Jaylen Clark is also shooting incredibly well this year. He’s making 62.2% of his field goal tries and 41.7% of his three-pointers.
The Bruins’ leading assist man is senior point guard Tyger Campbell. Campbell is averaging 4.5 dimes per game and checks in at fourth on the team in scoring with 12.8 points per game. The guard trio of Jaylen Clark, Tyger Campbell, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. will likely determine if UCLA wins and covers on Saturday.
Kentucky Game Notes
Kentucky is led by senior forward Oscar Tshiebwe. Tshiebwe leads the Wildcats in scoring with 16.1 points per game and he’s second in the nation in rebounding with 13.3 per game. Oscar Tshiebwe has provided a nice combination of efficient scoring (59% shooting from the field) and defense (1.6 blocks per game). He may be a mismatch against UCLA’s guard-oriented squad this weekend.
One of Kentucky’s key backcourt players is freshman guard Cason Wallace. Wallace is averaging 10.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game for the Wildcats this season. He’s having a terrific shooting year, as he’s converting 52.9% of his field goals, and 51.6% of his three-pointers. Cason Wallace also leads Kentucky in minutes and steals per game this season. He’ll need to ramp up his defense to keep UCLA’s guards in check on Saturday.
UCLA vs. Kentucky CBB Betting Trends
UCLA is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following an outright win of more than 20 points.
Kentucky is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
Kentucky is 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games following an outright win.
Kentucky is 0-6 ATS in their last 6 neutral site games.
UCLA vs. Kentucky CBB Prediction:
UCLA recorded a statement win on Wednesday, beating Maryland on the road soundly 87-60. The Bruins have now won 6 games in a row. They are winning with offense and coaching. The Bruins are 6th in the nation in average scoring margin, 6th in the nation in offensive efficiency, 17th in the country in effective possession ratio, and 14th in points per game. UCLA is a tough, experienced, and well-coached team. They may not have the talent that Kentucky does on a year-to-year basis, but they play disciplined team basketball as evidenced by their 1.708 team assist-to-turnover ratio, a figure that ranks third in the nation. I think UCLA wins this game outright by more than a basket, which is why I’ll lay the points with the Bruins.
CBB BETTING PREDICTION: UCLA BRUINS -2
