No. 24 UCLA vs. Arizona Prediction & College Basketball Odds

This year’s edition of the Arizona-UCLA rivalry will look a lot different.

For one, it will be a nonconference matchup now that both teams have left the Pac-12. Arizona (4-4) is in the Big 12, while No. 24 UCLA (8-1) has joined the Big Ten.

It will also be held on a neutral site inside the Footprint Center in Phoenix rather than in front of a sold-out crowd on either campus. The Bruins and Wildcats will also square off in Las Vegas next year.

Arizona has claimed the last three head-to-head meetings with UCLA, but will the Bruins end that skid on Saturday in a game televised on ESPN2? Tipoff is 3 p.m. ET.

Here is a look at the latest UCLA vs. Arizona college basketball odds and my prediction for this rivalry matchup:

UCLA vs. Arizona College Basketball Odds, Dec. 14

• Projected point spread: Arizona -1
• Projected total: 149

While odds for this matchup aren’t yet available at the BetMGM online sportsbook, KenPom projects a 75-74 victory for the Wildcats. That would make Arizona a 1-point favorite with an over/under of 149.

I’ll update these odds when they become available, but let’s use this projection as a guideline for what to expect when the market is released.

UCLA vs. Arizona Prediction – Saturday, Dec. 14

Based on KenPom’s projection, my UCLA vs. Arizona college basketball prediction would be to back the Bruins as the better team entering this rivalry matchup.

UCLA has won seven games in a row, marking the ninth-longest win streak in the nation. This includes a pair of victories to begin Big Ten play following Sunday’s 73-71 road win over Oregon.

The Bruins’ defense is elite this year, ranking fourth in adjusted defensive efficiency. They are forcing teams into a turnover rate of 27%, which leads the country.

The Wildcats, meanwhile, have done a good job of taking care of the ball in wins. They have an offensive turnover rate of 12.5% or better in three of their four wins. However, they posted a 22.2% turnover rate in a home loss to Duke and a 19.2% turnover rate in their overtime defeat to West Virginia.

I’m guessing UCLA will close as a short favorite in this matchup. It’s worth backing the Bruins if they open with a plus-money price on the moneyline.

Prediction: UCLA ML