UCLA Bruins at California Golden Bears, Haas Pavilion, Berkeley, CA
Sunday, February 20, 2011, 10:00 pm Eastern, TV: Fox Sports Net
Opening Line: pick
Current Line: UCLA -1
Opening Total: 141 1/2
Current Total: 142
Money Line: UCLA -120 / Cal +100
UCLA escaped with an 86-84 victory at home versus California January 20. That win was part of a stretch for UCLA where they have won 10 of the last 11, including 6 in a row. After the loss to UCLA, Cal won 4 in a row but is now on a 4 game losing streak. Three of the four losses are by 4 points or less. UCLA is 19-7 overall and 10-3 in the Pac-10, a game and a half behind Arizona. California is 13-13 overall and 6-8 in conference. UCLA has wins over BYU, Washington St, Oregon twice, Oregon St twice, Stanford twice, Arizona St, USC, and St. John’s. The Bruins won at Stanford Thursday 69-65. California has wins over New Mexico, Temple, Iowa St, Arizona St twice, Washington St, USC, Oregon St, and Oregon. California lost at home to USC 78-75 Thursday night. California has losses to Notre Dame, Boston College, San Diego St, Southern Miss, Kansas, Stanford, Arizona twice, Washington twice, Washington St, and USC.
UCLA leads the overall series 133-96 against California. The Bruins have won six straight games in Berkeley. UCLA has won 4 out of the last 6 in the series, but are 3-3 ATS in those games. Four of the last six games have gone over the total. California is 15-5 ATS when the total is between 140 and 150 the last two seasons, including 6-0 at home in the same span.
UCLA has no significant injuries right now. UCLA is led by forward Reeves Nelson who is averaging 13.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists a game. He is the leading scorer and rebounder. Guard Malcolm Lee averages 13.4 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists. Forward Tyler Honeycutt averages 12.6 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3 assists, and leads the team in blocks with 1.9 a game. Center Joshua Smith averages 10.+7 points and 6.4 rebounds a game. Guard Lazeric Jones averages 10.3 points, 2.1 rebounds, and leads the team in assists with 3.5 a game. UCLA is outscoring opponents 71-66 on the year. The Bruins are shooting 46% from the field and and 33.3% from 3-point range. Bruin opponents are shooting 41.7% from the field. The Bruins shoot 66.7% from the free throw line. UCLA averages 37.6 rebounds a game and has a rebounding margin of +4.8. The Bruins average 14.9 assists and 15.3 turnovers a game. UCLA forces 12.3 turnovers a game on defense. UCLA averages 5.5 steals and 5.5 blocks a game.
California guard Allen Crabbe is questionable against UCLA with a concussion. He has missed the last two games for the Bears. Guard Gary Franklin left the Cal team for personal reasons a few weeks ago. He was averaging 8 points a game. The Golden Bears have four players averaging double digit scoring. Forward Harper Kamp averages 15 points to lead the team, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.7 assists a game. Guard Jorge Gutierrez averages 13.8 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.3 assists to lead the team, and 1.4 steals a game to also lead the team. Crabbe averages 12 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 1.9 assists a game. Markhuri Sanders-Frison averages 11.1 points, and 7.4 rebounds a game to lead the team. Cal is being outscored 72-71 on the season. The Bears are shooting 45% from the field and 34.6% from 3-point range. Cal opponents are shooting 43.2% from the field. The Bears average 35.7 rebounds a game and have a rebounding margin of +2.8. Cal averages 15 assists and 13.6 turnovers a game. They force 12.4 turnovers a game on defense. The Bears average 5.5 steals and 2.3 blocks a game.
UCLA as only a 1 point favorite seems like a bargain when you consider The two teams recent games and the Bruins winning streak in Berkeley. The Bears play a lot of very close games though and can hang around especially at home. This game will come down to teh wire, but I think UCLA wins in the end.
Our college basketball handicappers are red hot in 2011. Don’t miss out on any more winners this season.
