Bruins vs Wildcats Odds & Picks: Arizona Looks To Avenge Loss As Home Fave

The seventh-ranked Arizona Wildcats (17-2 SU, 11-7-1 ATS) will attempt to end a six-game series losing streak against third-ranked UCLA (16-2, 9-8-1) on Thursday when they host the Bruins as solid home favorites in another battle between the top two teams in the Pac-12. Arizona lost the first meeting this season 75-59 at UCLA as a 2.5-point road favorite on January 25, and the second Bruins vs Wildcats prediction has the team listed as even bigger chalk despite the recent series history.

Bruins vs Wildcats Odds & Analysis

Sportsbook Odds

Oddsmakers are giving Arizona a lot of respect as a much larger favorite, and the school’s home court definitely seems to be the deciding factor. The Wildcats opened as 1.5-point road favorites in the last meeting before getting bet up to -2.5 and then got crushed at Pauley Pavilion.

The total also opened much higher at 151 last time before closing at 150.5, and it has opened much lower this time around at 144. However, the total has been bet up to 145 in early action, which is a little bit surprising considering recent trends for both teams.

Get the best Bruins vs Wildcats odds and lines available from our recommended sportsbooks for your favorite picks of the night.

Wildcats Humbled In Last Couple Games, Should Help Them Down Stretch

Arizona has failed to cover the spread in its last two games, including the rough loss at UCLA. The Wildcats averaged just 63 points in those games after scoring 76 or more during their previous five-game winning streak. The goal here will be to get back on track offensively and build up some confidence again heading into the conference tournament.

First place and the No. 1 seed that goes with it remain up for grabs, with each team sitting with only one loss in Pac-12 play. While Arizona may have overachieved a bit en route to an outstanding 16-1 start, a win in this spot would right the ship and put the school atop the standings. Remember, this Bruins vs Wildcats prediction still favors the home team.

Bruins Now Meeting Expectations With Current Six-Game Winning Streak

When these teams met the first time, UCLA was a top-10 team that was falling short of expectations with top-five talent. Fast-forward to today and the Bruins are right where they want to be as a potential No. 1 seed in both the Pac-12 Tournament and NCAA Tournament if they can just continue to win.

Defensively, they have really stepped up lately, with none of their opponents during the winning streak scoring more than 65 points. Their last three foes have been held below 60, and that has translated to a 3-0 ATS mark.

All three of those games were at home, though, and UCLA needs to find a way to keep it up on the road. If that happens, the Bruins vs Wildcats prediction could be wrong again.

Bruins vs Wildcats Pick & Insights

Bruins: Keys To Cover

Defense, defense and defense. It is no secret that D is the key to covering at Arizona, as UCLA held this opponent to just 30.7 percent shooting from the field (23-for-75) in the first meeting. The Bruins also made it to the free-throw line only five times, so being more aggressive offensively in this rematch should help them in their bid for another victory.

Wildcats: Keys To Cover

The Wildcats have to shoot better – that almost goes without saying. They were not much better in Saturday’s 67-56 win over the Arizona State Sun Devils, making just 32.2 percent of their shots (19-for-59), including a dismal 3-for-23 (13 percent) from three-point range. The Sun Devils actually shot slightly better (32.8 percent) to cover the massive 21.5-point spread. As a bettor, you must be confident that this team will rebound and shoot like a top-10 squad again in order to back the home favorite with your Bruins vs Wildcats pick.

Odds Shark’s Computer Bruins vs Wildcats Prediction: Bruins +6.5

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