UCLA Bruins vs Villanova Wildcats Prediction, 12/9/2023 College Basketball Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: UCLA Bruins vs Villanova Wildcats

Date: Saturday, December 9, 2023

Location: Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA

TV: FOX

The Villanova Wildcats (6-4) will try to beat the UCLA Bruins (5-2) at Wells Fargo Center on Saturday.

The UCLA Bruins played UC Riverside and took home the win by a score of 66-65 in their last game. Concerning personal fouls, the Bruins ended up with 18 while UC Riverside totaled 20 personal fouls. They also knocked down 14 of 32 attempts from 3-point range. UC Riverside went 63.6% from the free throw line by making 7 of their 11 shots. In addition, UC Riverside pulled down 25 rebounds (6 offensive, 19 defensive), but didn't record a block for the team. UC Riverside recorded 15 assists and had 2 steals for the game. Regarding the defense, UCLA allowed their opponent to shoot 44.0% from the field on 22 out of 50 shooting. They also recorded 15 assists in the matchup while forcing the opposition into 14 turnovers and getting 2 steals. Concerning grabbing rebounds, they earned 28 with 9 of them being offensive. At the charity stripe, the Bruins made 13 of their 16 attempts for a rate of 81.3%. UCLA wrapped up the game with a 40.4% FG percentage (23 of 57) and converted 7 out of their 18 three-point attempts.

Dylan Andrews is one guy who came through for the contest. He finished the game at 58.3% from the field and also recorded 5 assists. He was on the court for 39 mins played and also pulled down 1 board. He left the arena with 17 points on 7 of 12 shooting.

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UCLA steps onto the hardwood with a win-loss mark of 5-2 so far this year. They currently have an average of 71.0 points per outing (261st in the country) while hitting 45.8% from the field. The Bruins are hitting 31.3% on three-point shots (30 of 96) and 74.2% from the free throw line. As a team, UCLA is collecting 36.4 rebounds per game and is sitting with 95 dimes on the year, which is 298th in college hoops in terms of passing the rock. They turn it over 11.6 times per game and as a group are committing 18.4 fouls on a nightly basis.

When they are on defense, the Bruins have forced 13.7 turnovers per game while drawing 21.1 fouls. They give up 30.6% on shots from distance and they are ranked 5th in D-1 in points per game from their opponents (57.9). Bruins defense is allowing a FG percentage of 37.1% (134 of 361) and they surrender 28.0 rebounds per game as a team. They are ranked 7th in college hoops in allowing assists to the opposition with 70 relinquished this year.

The last time they took the court, the Villanova Wildcats took a loss by a score of 72-71 when they played Kansas State. When it comes to how they attacked the glass, Villanova permitted Kansas State to pull down 33 in all (4 offensive). They finished 36.4% from 3-point land by going 8 of 22 and ended up shooting 6 of 6 from the free throw line (100.0%). The Wildcats permitted Kansas State to bury 29 out of their 59 attempts from the floor which left them with a shooting percentage of 49.2% for the contest. When the final whistle blew, the Wildcats finished shooting 23 for 66 from the floor which had them shooting 34.8%. In terms of shots from beyond the arc, Villanova knocked down 11 out of their 31 tries (35.5%). They were able to knock down 14 of them for a percentage of 82.4%. Kansas State had 13 fouls for the game which took the Wildcats to the free throw line for a total of 17 tries. They coughed up the ball 11 times, while earning 8 steals in this contest. The Wildcats were able to snag 24 defensive boards and 13 offensive boards for a total of 37 in the game.

Jordan Longino was important for the Wildcats for the contest. He made 5 out of 17 in this matchup giving him a field goal percentage of 29.4%, and had 4 rebounds. He earned 16 points in his 37 minutes on the hardwood and accounted for 3 assists for this game.

Villanova has a record of 6-4 for the campaign. The Wildcats are committing 16.4 personal fouls per contest and they hit 82.4% from the charity stripe. They are assisting teammates 11.8 times per contest (278th in college basketball) and they lose possession via turnover 10.2 times per contest. Villanova has accumulated 740 points so far this year (74.0 per contest) and they snag 38.2 rebounds per contest. When it comes to offensive execution, the Wildcats are connecting on 41.0% from the field, which ranks them 311th in the nation.

The Wildcats on the defensive end are ranked 67th in college basketball in points allowed per contest with 65.6. They have forced 12.2 TO's per game and have allowed teams to shoot 41.6% from the field (134th in college hoops). The Villanova defense allows 36.3% on shots from beyond the perimeter (90 of 248) and opponents are making 66.3% of their shots from the free throw line. They surrender 12.9 assists and 32.6 boards on a nightly basis, which ranks 221st and 74th in those categories.

Who will win tonight's NCAA basketball game against the spread?

Guy Bruhn's Pick: Take Villanova

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