— Saturday, December 11th UCLA Bruins @ Marquette Golden Eagles
The No. 4 UCLA Bruins (7-1) go on the road this weekend for a challenging contest against the Marquette Golden Eagles (8-2). The Bruins have an outside shot to be No. 1 on Monday with a win while the hosts are attempting to break into the top 25 with their second home win over a top 10 team this season. Tip-off will be at 2:30 p.m. ET at Milwaukee’s Fiserv Forum, and the game will air on FOX.
Last season these teams played in Los Angeles, with the Bruins grabbing a 69-60 win. Prior to that, the teams hadn’t met since December 18, 1964, and UCLA holds a 3-0 all-time lead.
Bruins Well Rested, Healthy
UCLA is 4-4 ATS so far this season, and the total is 4-4 in their eight games. They rank 22nd in the nation in 3-point shooting at 39.2 percent and average 73.7 points per game. The defense ranks 34th in allowing 59.3 ppg.
The Bruins haven’t played in 10 days as their contest against Washington last Sunday was ruled a forfeit with the Huskies COVID-19 situation. Since losing the n1 vs. n2 contest against Gonzaga on November 23, the Bruins have knocked off UNLV by 23 and won the Pac-12 opener against Colorado by 12.
Johnny Juzang leads UCLA at 17.1 points per game, but four Bruins are in double figures. Jules Bernard (14.0 ppg), Jaime Jaquez (13.6 ppg) and Tyger Campbell (12.6) combine with Juzang to score 57.3 ppg. Campbell, Bernard, and David Singleton all shoot at least 44 percent from deep, while Juzang is at 37 percent.
Center Myles Johnson leads UCLA at 6.8 rebounds per game and blocks 1.9 shots per game while contributing 5.5 ppg. In addition to Singleton’s 6.6 ppg, the Bruins also get 6.5 ppg off the bench from Jaylen Clark.
Jaquez didn’t score in just seven minutes against Colorado and needed stitches after taking an elbow from Johnson. He didn’t return to the game but has returned to practice and should be able to go on Saturday.
Young Guys Leading Marquette
Marquette is 5-0 at Fiserv Forum so far this season, but they haven’t played a ranked team at home. They are 5-5 ATS, and the over is 6-4 in their ten games. The Golden Eagles shoot 32.4 percent from deep, average 74.7 ppg, and allow 69.8 ppg.
The Golden Eagles are adjusting to new coach Shaka Smart and a new system. The early results have been inconsistent but encouraging. Marquette boasts wins over No. 10 Illinois, Ole Miss, West Virginia, and Kansas State, going 4-1 against Power 5 teams. Their two losses were by double digits to ranked teams in St. Bonaventure and Wisconsin.
A big key for Marquette has been Maryland transfer Darryl Morsell, the 2021 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year. He’s second on the team at 14.1 ppg and leads the team at 40 percent shooting from deep. He will have his hands full on Saturday with the talented UCLA backcourt.
Justin Lewis is having a breakout campaign for Marquette so far this season. Last year off the bench, he scored 7.8 ppg and shot 41 percent. This year he’s leading the team at 15.7 ppg and 7.7 rpg while shooting 46 percent and averaging 1.5 3-pointers per game.
Betting Analysis
- UCLA Bruins -5.5 (-110)
- Marquette Golden Eagles +5.5 (-110)
- Total Points: 153.5 over -105 under -115
The Golden Eagles play well at Fiserv Forum, and they will have a sell-out crowd on national TV to add to the atmosphere. Marquette will play hard for 40 minutes, but they just don’t have the guard play to stay with UCLA. This game should be close throughout but look for Juzang and company to pull away at the end.
Betting Pick: UCLA -5.5 (-110)
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