The UCLA Bruins will hit the floor running against the visiting Missouri Tigers Friday, looking to improve their record and boost wagering bankrolls in the process.

The Bruins sport records of 9-3 and 4-7 ATS heading into this battle, while the Tigers have 10-1 and 4-4 ATS marks on the season. The OVER/UNDER records are 5-3 for the Bruins and 4-3 for the Tigers.



View Missouri vs UCLA Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
The visitors opened as 2.5-point underdogs in this one at most sportsbooks tracked at Odds Shark, including Sportsbook. The total was set to open a bit later (check out Sportsbook for the latest situation(.

Power Rankings / Prediction:
The Bruins - Tigers odds would favor the Tigers if the lines were set according to our power ranks. UCLA is rated No. 61 in the current Odds Shark poll, while Missouri is at No. 17. Mathematical models based on recent stats and predictive formulas point to a 88-84 win for the Tigers.



How They Match Up:
Rating these schools in several key categories is important for handicappers and UCLA has the nation's No. 18-rated offensive output, at 79.6 PPG. The visiting Tigers defense ranks No. 93 allowing on average 61.7 PPG. The Bruins FG% has averaged 48.4% so far, more than the Tigers marksmen have achieved on the year, 44.9% per game.

Comparing how these foes stack up statistically, Missouri owns the country's No. 146-rated mark, allowing 69.3 points per game on the highway. UCLA, on the other hand, rates No. 36 in scoring at home.

Missouri won its last outing, an 82-73 result against Illinois on December 22. They covered in that game as a 2-point favorite. Brandon Paul scored 23 points in a futile effort to lead the Fighting Illini to a win (they lost 82-73 to Missouri at Scottrade Center on Saturday).

UCLA won its last outing, a 91-78 result against Fresno State on December 22. They failed to cover in that game as a 14.5-point favorite. UCLA got 27 points from Shabazz Muhammad en route to a 91-78 victory over Fresno State on Saturday at Pauley Pavilion.


Missouri Tigers Trends:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
After playing Illinois are 9-1
After a win are 8-2

UCLA Bruins Trends:
When playing on Friday are 8-2
Before playing California are 7-3
After a win are 6-4

A few Tigers at Bruins trends to consider:
Missouri is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Missouri's last 6 games on the road
UCLA is 22-3 SU in its last 25 games at home
UCLA is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games


Next up:
Missouri home to Bucknell, Saturday, January 5
UCLA home to California, Thursday, January 3