The Utah Utes (12-5, 5-1 Pac-12) and No. 6 UCLA Bruins (14-2, 5-0) clash in a Pac-12 showdown Thursday night in Los Angeles. Opening tip at Pauley Pavilion will be at 11 p.m. ET (Pac-12 Network). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Utah vs. UCLA odds, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The Utes are in 2nd place after their 1st Pac-12 loss on Saturday against' Oregon (70-60 loss as a -4 favorite). Utah struggled from distance, shooting just 14.3%, and that long-range accuracy has been a problem area. The Utes have made just 26.3% of their 3s since Dec. 13.
The Bruins lost back-to-back games in November and have won 11 straight since (6-5 against the spread). Last year’s Pac-12 runner-up has had a couple of close shaves in its last 3 games, including a 60-58 triumph over USC in the team’s last game on Jan. 5.