UCLA Bruins (6-9) vs. Utah Runnin' Utes (11-4)
January 11, 2024 9:00 pm EDT
The Line: Utah -9.5 // Over/Under: +137.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The UCLA Bruins and Utah Utes face off on Thursday in a college basketball showdown at Jon M Huntsman Center. Let’s look at the betting matchup and give a free UCLA vs Utah prediction.
UCLA is Just Bad
Heading into the season there were a lot of expectations surrounding this UCLA team, but they have been awful this season. In the last game they faced off against a bad California team and they still lost 66-57. Two games ago against Stanford, UCLA was defeated 59-53. Overall this season is averaging 65.5 points while their defense is giving up 62.2 points per game. The defense has been good and they are ranked 12th, but the offense just hasn’t been good enough overall this team. Sebastian Mack has been the top player for UCLA averaging 14.3 points while shooting 39.1 percent from the field and 28.9 percent from behind the three point line.
Utah is Suddenly Struggling
Utah comes into this game with an 11-4 record overall but they have lost two games in a row. Two games ago against Arizona State, they were defeated 82-70 and in the last game against Arizona, they ended up 92-73. Gabe Madsen was the top player for Utah averaging 18 points and two rebounds. Utah on the season is averaging 80.3 points while their defense is giving up 71.7 points per agme. The offense is ranked 56th in the league but the defense is going to need to be better here. If the defense struggles here, Utah could end up losing their third game in a row. Branden Carlson is the top player for Utah and he’s averaging 17.6 points while shooting 48.1 percent from the field.
UCLA vs Utah Betting Prediction
Utah’s defense has struggled heading into this game, but UCLA’s offense is awful, and that means Utah’s defense is going to be better here. UCLA is averaging only 65.5 points per game and the last couple of games the offense hasn’t been as good. Utah is averaging 80.3 points and they are going to have no issue running up the score. UCLA isn’t going to be keeping up, and Utah is going to get the job done. Back Utah against the spread.
