Washington at UCLA College Basketball Picks & Predictions 12/31/2017

Sunday, December 31, 2017

Pauley Pavilion

Get todays College basketball odds and lines on this game.

The Washington Huskies travel to Pauley Pavilion to play the UCLA Bruins on Sunday, December 31, 2017. The opening line for this game has UCLA as 9.5 point favorites.

Washington comes into this game with an overall record of 11-3. They currently have a point differential of 4.9 as they are averaging 81.1 points per game while giving up 76.2 per contest. UCLA has an overall record of 10-3. They are averaging 83.8 points per game and surrendering 76.5, good for a point differential of 7.3.

Valuable Washington Huskies Betting Trends

The Washington Huskies are 5-7 against the spread this season

The Washington Huskies are 7-5 against the over/under this year

Important UCLA Bruins Betting Trends

The UCLA Bruins are 5-8 against the spread this season

The UCLA Bruins are 8-5 against the over/under this year

Key Washington Huskies Injuries

11/24/17 G Michael Carter III Wrist is out indefinitely

Key UCLA Bruins Injuries

12/22/17 F Cody Riley Suspension is out for season
12/04/17 G LiAngelo Ball Left Team is out for season
11/08/17 F Jalen Hill Suspension is out for season

Player Spotlight

Noah Dickerson averages 15.5 points per game in 25.4 minutes per contest this season. He averages 1.1 assists per contest and 7.9 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage is 63% for the year while his free throw percentage is 73%. Jaylen Nowell averages 16.9 points per game while playing 31.7 minutes per night this season. He pulls down 3.1 rebounds per game and dishes out 3 assists per game as well. His field goal percentage is 47% while his free throw percentage is at 84%.

Player Spotlight

Thomas Welsh averages 13.1 points per game this season and he sees the court an average of 32.6 minutes per contest. He also averages 10.9 rebounds per contest and 1.8 assists per game. His field goal percentage is 48% and his free throw percentage is 88%. Aaron Holiday averages 18.8 points per game while playing 36.3 minutes per contest this year. He grabs 4.1 rebounds per game and has 5.5 assists per contest on the year. His field goal percentage is 47% and his free throw percentage is at 81%.

Useful Team Statistics

The Huskies allow 76.2 points per game to their opponents which ranks them 264th in the nation. They also allow a 46% shooting percentage and a 35% average from behind the arc, ranking them 260th and 201st in those defensive categories. Opponents average 33.6 rebounds a game which ranks 114th, and they give up 17.6 assists per contest, which puts them in 336th place in the country. They force 15.7 turnovers per game which ranks them 285th in college basketball. Washington averages 81.1 points per contest this season, which ranks them 69th in Division 1. Their average scoring margin is 4.9 and their shooting percentage is 49% as a team, which has them ranked 39th. Behind the arc they shoot 38% which is good for 95th in D-1. They average 33.7 rebounds per game and 13.4 assists per game, which ranks them 282nd and 220th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they rank 149th with 13.9 per game.

Useful Team Statistics

The Bruins surrender 76.5 points per contest, which ranks them 272nd in the country. Their defense allows a 42% shooting percentage and a 36% average from 3-point range, ranking them 133rd and 249th in those defensive statistics. They rank 178th with 13.3 assists allowed per contest, and 217th with 35.7 rebounds surrendered per game. The Bruins are 45th in the nation in forcing turnovers with 11.8 per game this season. UCLA is 34th in Division 1 with 83.8 points per game this year. They are 105th in the country in shooting at 47%, while their average scoring margin is 7.3. They shoot 36% from 3-point range, which is good for 141st in the nation. They are 21st in college basketball in rebounding with 41.1 boards per game and 88th in assists per contest with 15.6. The Bruins are 214th in turnovers per game with 13.0.

Advanced Statistics

The Huskies are 77th in the nation in offensive rating with 110.7, and their defensive rating of 104.1 is ranked 248th. In terms of pace they are 75th in the country with 73.2 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 55% is 57th. As a team they are 56th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 58% and they shoot 3-pointers on 34% of their shots, ranking 268th in Division 1. Washington is 161st in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.6 times per 100 possessions while forcing 18.6 on the defensive end. Their defensive effective field goal percentage for the season currently is 52%, which is 264th in the nation.

Advanced Statistics

UCLA is 289th in the country in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 14.8 times per 100 possessions while forcing 13.9 on defense. Their defensive eFG% for the year currently is 50%, which is 170th in Division 1. The Bruins are 184th in the nation in defensive rating with 100.5, and their offensive rating of 110.1 is ranked 88th. They are 38th in D-1 in pace with 74.7 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 53% is 126th. As a unit they are 118th in college basketball in true shooting percentage with 56% and they shoot 3-pointers on 35% of their shot attempts, ranking 229th in the country.

Who will win tonight's Washington/UCLA college basketball game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take UCLA -9.5

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