UCLA and Cal meet for the first time this season, as both look to put a mediocre Sportsbook weekend of the Pac-12 schedule behind them. The one constant when the Bruins and Golden Bears clash has been a lack of offense, as the UNDER is 6-1 in the past seven between the two programs.
UCLA’s offense has been stupidly good this season, with the Bruins averaging 93.9 points per game while leading the nation in assists and shooting percentage. Freshman TJ Leaf has been the offensive powerhouse for UCLA, as the six-foot-10 forward is averaging 17.5 points per game while shooting 65.7 percent from the floor and 48.5 percent from beyond the arc.
Cal will look to keep UCLA’s high-octane offense in check with its work on the boards, as the Golden Bears are first in the nation in defensive rebounding percentage. Look for highly touted Ivan Rabb to be doing the dirty work all night. The sophomore is 10th in the nation in rebounding and has six double-doubles on the year.
Sportsbook Odds & Computer Pick
The UCLA Bruins were listed as -11-point favorites at most sportsbooks tracked by Odds Shark earlier in the day. It opened first at Sportsbook, where the over/under betting odds total was expected shortly.
California Golden Bears vs UCLA Bruins Matchup
Team Betting Records & Power Rankings
Supporters of the California Golden Bears have watched them go 10-4 and 5-9 ATS on the college basketball season, while the UCLA Bruins are at 14-1 and 10-5 ATS. In totals betting, the UCLA Bruins are 9-4-2, while the California Golden Bears have a 7-7 mark.
It's a betting matchup between the No. 31-rated UCLA Bruins and the No. 35-ranked California Golden Bears, according to the latest pro hoops power rankings here at Odds Shark.
Statistical Matchup
Rebounding is always a key handicapping betting consideration and California is ranked No. 17 in NCAA basketball at 40.86 per game. Contrast that with UCLA's No. 33 mark in the paint. When it comes to three-point shooting, UCLA is the No. 6-ranked team in the country at 10.67 per game, while California rates No. 203 at 6.43 per game.
Recent Outings Betting Recap
Ivan Rabb scored 20 points and added 20 rebounds for a double-double, leading California over Arizona State, 81-65, on Sunday at Haas Pavilion.
TJ Leaf scored 21 points and added 21 rebounds for a double-double, leading UCLA over Oregon State, 76-63, on Friday at Gill Coliseum.
Next Betting Matchups
California at USC, Sunday, January 8th
UCLA at Stanford, Sunday, January 8th