UCLA vs Washington State Expert NCAA Basketball Picks 1/4/2020

Game: UCLA Bruins vs Washington State Cougars

Date: Saturday, January 4, 2020

Location: Beasley Coliseum in Pullman, WA

TV: PACN

Odds/Point Spread: Washington State -1

Total/Over-Under: 142.5

The UCLA Bruins head to Beasley Coliseum to take on the Washington State Cougars on Saturday, January 4, 2020. The opening line for this game has Washington State as 1 point favorites.

UCLA heads into this matchup with a mark of 8-6. They currently have a point differential of 4.5 as they are averaging 72.1 points per contest while giving up 67.6 per game. Washington State has an overall record of 9-5. They are averaging 72.0 points per game and surrendering 64.5, good for a point differential of 7.5.

Valuable UCLA Bruins Betting Trends

The UCLA Bruins are 7-7-0 against the spread this season

The UCLA Bruins are 6-6-2 against the over/under this year

Important Washington State Cougars Betting Trends

The Washington State Cougars are 5-8-1 against the spread this season

The Washington State Cougars are 7-7-0 against the over/under this year

Key UCLA Bruins Injuries

11/22/19 F Kenneth Nwuba Redshirt is out for season

Key Washington State Cougars Injuries

11/08/19 G Ryan Rapp Undisclosed is out indefinitely
01/02/20 F Marvin Cannon Undisclosed is questionable Thursday vs USC
01/02/20 G Jaylen Shead Hip is questionable Thursday vs USC

Player Spotlight

Chris Smith comes into this game averaging 11.1 points per contest while playing 26.8 minutes per night this year. He grabs 4.4 rebounds per contest and distributes 1.8 assists per game. His FG percentage is 46% while his free throw percentage is 91%. Cody Riley averages 10.6 points per contest in 22.8 minutes per game. He averages 1.2 assists per game and 5.8 rebounds per contest. His field goal percentage is 54% for the season while his free throw percentage is 49%.

Player Spotlight

CJ Elleby scores 20.1 points per contest while playing 31.8 minutes per game. He hauls in 6.7 rebounds per contest and has 1.7 assists per game on the season. His FG percentage is 46% and his free throw percentage is at 81%. Isaac Bonton averages 12.9 points per game this year and he sees the court an average of 30.3 minutes per game. He also brings in 4.3 rebounds per game and has 3.0 assists per contest. His field goal percentage is 31% and his free throw percentage is 75%.

Useful Team Statistics

UCLA averages 72.1 points per contest, which is 178th in D-1. Their average scoring margin is 4.5 and their shooting percentage is 44% as a unit, which has them ranked 163rd. From 3-point territory they shoot 31%, which is good for 277th in the nation. They average 39.1 boards per contest and 13.8 assists per game, which ranks them 72nd and 150th in those offensive categories. In the turnover department they are 196th with 13.4 per game. The Bruins allow 67.6 points per contest, which is 152nd in the NCAA. They also surrender a 42% shooting percentage and a 38% average from 3-point range, ranking them 185th and 332nd in defensive field goal percentage. Opponents average 30.2 rebounds a game which ranks 20th, and they allow 10.3 assists per game which puts them in 38th place in the country. They force 13.3 turnovers per game which ranks them 114th in Division 1.

Useful Team Statistics

Washington State is 183rd in the nation with 72.0 points per contest this season. They are 329th in the country in shooting at 40%, while their average scoring margin is 7.5. They shoot 29% from beyond the arc, which is good for 328th in the NCAA. They are 84th in D-1 in rebounding with 38.6 boards per contest and 301st in assists per game with 11.4. The Cougars are 343rd in turnovers per contest with 10.6. The Cougars give up 64.5 points per game, which ranks them 82nd in Division 1. Their defense surrenders a 43% shooting percentage and a 31% average from behind the 3-point line, ranking them 219th and 92nd in those defensive statistics. They rank 15th with 9.3 dimes allowed per game and 273rd with 37.3 boards surrendered per contest. The Cougars are 308th in the nation in forcing turnovers with 16.7 per contest this year.

Advanced Statistics

The Bruins have an offensive rating of 105.4, which is ranked 107th. They are 270th in college basketball in pace with 68.3 possessions per 40 minutes, and their eFG% of 49% is 220th. As a unit they are 202nd in the nation in true shooting percentage with 53% and they shoot 3-pointers on 31% of their shot attempts, ranking 310th in D-1. UCLA is 209th in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 16.4 times per 100 possessions.

Advanced Statistics

Washington State is 348th in college basketball in turnovers, as they turn the ball over an average of 12.6 times per 100 possessions. The Cougars are 207th in the country in offensive rating with 100.5. In terms of pace they are 111th in Division 1 with 71.7 possessions per 40 minutes, and their effective field goal percentage of 45% is 326th. As a team they are 325th in D-1 in true shooting percentage with 49% and they shoot 3-pointers on 38% of their shots, ranking 174th in the nation.

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

Josh's Pick: Take UCLA +1

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