PREMIUM
UCLA -2.5 vs. RUTGERS: BEST BET
(NCAAB) Bruins (UCLA) vs. Scarlet Knights (RUTG),
Point Spread: -2.50 | -115.00 Bruins (UCLA) (Away)
Result: Loss
Point Spread: -2.50 | -115.00 Bruins (UCLA) (Away)
Result: Loss
The Bruins have been through a few bumps along the road recently, but they have adjusted to the pressure of Big Ten competition and will be ready to prove they belong on Monday in Piscataway vs. Rutgers. The Terrapins outmuscled the Bruins on Friday, but Maryland and Rutgers are not similar. The Scarlet Knights lack the interior presence the Terps boast and are hardly a defensive juggernaut (101st in defensive efficiency rating, per Haslametrics.com).
HC Mick Cronin's squad will dominate in the paint, as most of Rutgers' recent opponents have. The Bruins shoot a high percentage at the rim (65.6% vs. the average opponent, 12th-highest in the nation) and will make the most of their offensive rebounds (95th in offensive rebounding) against a Rutgers team that ranks 353rd nationally in opponent second-chance conversion percentage off offensive rebounds.
That said, I mostly trust UCLA for its defense. The Bruins rank 8th in Haslametrics' defensive efficiency rating, while the Knights are 121st in offensive efficiency. UCLA leads the nation in forced turnovers (17.6 per game) and makes the most of those turnovers, ranking 21st in points off breakaway steals. The Bruins allow the seventh-fewest field goal attempts per 100 trips vs. the average opponent and rank 3rd in average opponent mid-range FG% and 10th in average opponent near-proximity field goal attempt rate (layups, dunks and tip-ins). Rutgers isn't particularly efficient from any area of the court and doesn't have a significant rebounding advantage, either.
Let's not forget that UCLA has a proven track record, featuring wins over Gonzaga, Oregon and Arizona. It played Maryland close until late in the game when Cronin was ejected for receiving two technical fouls arguing calls. The Bruins are adjusted to the Eastern time zone by now and will be ready to rock against a Scarlet Knights team that has lost three straight games and four of their last five overall. RU is 0-6 against Quad 1 teams, as its freshman and transfer-laden roster hasn't meshed. Bet on the Bruins to win and cover on Monday in New Jersey!
HC Mick Cronin's squad will dominate in the paint, as most of Rutgers' recent opponents have. The Bruins shoot a high percentage at the rim (65.6% vs. the average opponent, 12th-highest in the nation) and will make the most of their offensive rebounds (95th in offensive rebounding) against a Rutgers team that ranks 353rd nationally in opponent second-chance conversion percentage off offensive rebounds.
That said, I mostly trust UCLA for its defense. The Bruins rank 8th in Haslametrics' defensive efficiency rating, while the Knights are 121st in offensive efficiency. UCLA leads the nation in forced turnovers (17.6 per game) and makes the most of those turnovers, ranking 21st in points off breakaway steals. The Bruins allow the seventh-fewest field goal attempts per 100 trips vs. the average opponent and rank 3rd in average opponent mid-range FG% and 10th in average opponent near-proximity field goal attempt rate (layups, dunks and tip-ins). Rutgers isn't particularly efficient from any area of the court and doesn't have a significant rebounding advantage, either.
Let's not forget that UCLA has a proven track record, featuring wins over Gonzaga, Oregon and Arizona. It played Maryland close until late in the game when Cronin was ejected for receiving two technical fouls arguing calls. The Bruins are adjusted to the Eastern time zone by now and will be ready to rock against a Scarlet Knights team that has lost three straight games and four of their last five overall. RU is 0-6 against Quad 1 teams, as its freshman and transfer-laden roster hasn't meshed. Bet on the Bruins to win and cover on Monday in New Jersey!
