UCLA (7-1) vs. Oregon (9-0)
December 8, 2024 6:00 pm EDT
The Line: Oregon -4; Over/Under: +139
(Get latest betting odds)
The UCLA Bruins and the Oregon Ducks meet Sunday in college basketball action from Matthew Knight Arena. Here’s an Oregon vs UCLA prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best Oregon vs UCLA pick.
UCLA Bruins Betting Preview
This year the Bruins have just one blemish on the card—a 72-64 loss to New Mexico in game two. Otherwise UCLA has taken out Rider, Boston U, Lehigh, Idaho State, CSU Fullerton, Southern Utah and Washington in succession.
On Tuesday in the Washington game, the Bruins scored 29 points in the first half and 40 in the second on the way to a 69-58 victory. Tyler Bilodeau posted 16 points with nine rebounds, and Sebastian Mack added 16 points and five boards off the bench.
Oregon Ducks Betting Preview
Over on the Oregon side, they’re spotless so far in the win column. The Ducks have beaten UC Riverside, Montana, Portland, Troy, Oregon State, Texas A&M, San Diego State, Alabama and USC in their first nine outings.
In Wednesday’s game versus USC, the Ducks had a bad first half and ended up with a 30-23 deficit. Oregon came back with a 45-30 run from there however, winning 68-60. Jackson Shelstad was the top scorer on the team with 24 points and two boards.
Why the Oregon Ducks will win
- Oregon has won each of its last 10 games against non-AP-ranked opponents.
- UCLA has lost each of its last seven games against AP-ranked opponents.
- The home team has won the first half in each of UCLA’s last six games.
Why the UCLA Bruins will win
- UCLA has won each of its last six games.
- UCLA has won the first half in each of its last six games.
Oregon vs UCLA Prediction
I’ll take a stab on UCLA here. The Bruins are coming off a solid win over a pretty good Washington team but there’s plenty to clean up. UCLA shot just 50 percent (11-of-22) from the line in that one and got out-rebounded 40-35. It was the first victory this year that the Bruins have failed to score at least 71 points (69).
As for Oregon, they needed a dramatic second-half comeback to dispatch USC in their last appearance, shooting 38.2 percent from the field with 14 turnovers along the way. The Ducks had scored at least 78 points in each of the eight previous games. Sunday’s matchup could break a lot of different ways depending on how well Oregon starts, but I like UCLA enough right now to try them on a cover. Should be another fun one to watch.
