Arizona vs. UCLA Prediction & Odds: College Basketball Betting Preview for Nov. 14

My Arizona vs. UCLA prediction backs the Wildcats to win by more than a bucket on a neutral court.

No. 5 Arizona is a 2-point betting favorite over No. 15 UCLA, with tipoff from Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif., set for 10 p.m. ET (Peacock). The Wildcats enter this matchup at 3-0, including a win over Florida, while the Bruins are also 3-0 but have yet to be tested.

✅ Arizona vs. UCLA prediction & expert picks

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📊 Arizona vs. UCLA odds

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🏀 Arizona vs. UCLA preview & score prediction

This is the second marquee matchup of the season for the Wildcats, who defeated Florida (No. 10 on KenPom) in the season opener. That gives them an advantage over the Bruins entering Friday, which is why I’m comfortable laying the points.

Arizona is better prepared

Arizona started the year with a 93-87 win over Florida in a neutral-site opener, giving the Wildcats a leg up over their competition entering Friday’s showdown.

The Bruins haven’t faced anyone ranked higher than 204th on KenPom. They’ve earned wins over Eastern Washington, Pepperdine, and West Georgia. After tonight, UCLA won’t face anyone ranked in the top 40 on KenPom for another month.

Given the current era of college basketball, in which rosters are overhauled every offseason, I prefer to side with the more experienced team. Arizona certainly looks the part this year, ranking 13th in adjusted offensive efficiency and 15th in adjusted defensive efficiency.

Most of the best sports betting sites have made Arizona a 2.5-point betting favorite, so I like the value of laying a flat -2 with bet365. A $10 bet earns $9.09.

Score prediction: Arizona 81, UCLA 76

Our Mike Spector has a player prop bet on Arizona forward Koa Peat in his college basketball best bets tonight.

🆚 Arizona vs. UCLA matchup to watch

Arizona's tempo vs. UCLA's tempo

This matchup could be dictated by which team can set the tempo. Because I expect Arizona to win, I favor the Wildcats’ chances of ramping up the pace on Friday.

Tommy Lloyd’s Wildcats rank 34th in adjusted tempo. They have scored at least 84 points in all three games this season and have ranked in the top 50 in adjusted tempo for four straight years.

UCLA would prefer to slow this game down, ranking 352nd in adjusted tempo. But if the Wildcats can speed it up, I like their chances of scoring. Their total is as high as 79.5 at DraftKings, so I’ll take this offering at Caesars.

Best prop bet: Arizona Over 78.5 points (-105 via Caesars)

📺 How to watch Arizona vs. UCLA

• Date: Friday, Nov. 14
• Tipoff: 10 p.m. ET
• Location: Intuit Dome (Inglewood, Calif.)
• TV: Peacock