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The UCLA Bruins are set to face the Colorado Buffaloes this weekend. Check out our college basketball odds series, which includes our UCLA Colorado prediction, odds, and pick.
The UCLA Bruins need to avoid looking ahead. College basketball odds experts know that UCLA will face Arizona next Tuesday, Jan. 25, in the Pac-12 game of the year. UCLA has to remain focused on the task at hand in the mountain road trip. The Bruins did not look good on Thursday night in Salt Lake City when they very narrowly defeated Utah, 63-58. Utah is one of the worst teams in the Pac-12, but UCLA couldn't gain separation from the Utes until the final minute, and they needed Utah to miss a few wide-open shots to survive that contest.
UCLA might be much better than that Utah game indicated, but if you are thinking about a UCLA Colorado prediction, keep in mind that UCLA had its season interrupted for a few weeks due to a COVID-19 pause. The Bruins weren't able to practice very much, a reality which has to be taken into consideration. Also, UCLA lost to Oregon at home a week ago, but that game had no fans due to local COVID-19 policies. If UCLA had fans at home for that game, the outcome might have been different. The Bruins have to find their form and get their players into a rhythm against Colorado. They can worry about Arizona later.
Colorado missed a big chance to get a quality win on Thursday. The Buffaloes hosted USC, a team they had beaten seven straight times overall and three times last season. Colorado has lost veteran players from last season's roster, but USC entered that game having lost two of three. Moreover, Colorado played good defense against USC. The Trojans made only three 3-pointers and committed 16 turnovers. Colorado simply wasn't able to take advantage. If UCLA can't shake out of its own funk, however, the Buffs will have an opportunity to take this game. Think about that point when evaluating your UCLA Colorado pick.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the UCLA-Colorado odds:
College Basketball odds: UCLA-Colorado Odds
UCLA: -4 (-106)
Colorado: +4 (-114)
Over: 136 (-110)
Under: 136 (-110)
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Why UCLA Could Cover the Spread
The Bruins play elite defense. That is what enabled them to beat Utah despite a rough showing on offense. Mick Cronin regularly gets his teams to defend well. He did so throughout his tenure at Cincinnati before he came to Westwood and made his first Final Four as a college basketball head coach. The Bruins know that even if they're not hitting shots, and even if their offense isn't functioning well, their defense can keep them in games. Colorado is not an especially potent team. The Bruins can lock down the Buffs and cover the spread by limiting CU's offensive output.
Why Colorado Could Cover the Spread
The UCLA Bruins are struggling. They didn't look good a week ago. They didn't look good on Thursday against Utah. They are not playing like the top-five team they were projected to be when the season began back in early November. If UCLA doesn't improve its halfcourt offense, the Bruins — who barely beat a bad Utah team — will not escape Boulder with a victory.
Final UCLA-Colorado Prediction & Pick
The Bruins do look vulnerable, but is Colorado good enough to take advantage? UCLA is accumulating more games since its COVID pause and should be able to work off the rust, eventually taking over this game in the second half.
Final UCLA-Colorado Pick: UCLA -4
