Being an early favorite has taken on a whole new meaning for the UCLA Bruins.
While it’s expected the Pac-10’s top team will be favored for today’s game in West Virginia, UCLA will battle more than just a stubborn 1-3-1 Mountaineers zone defense. With a 1 p.m. EST start time, the Bruins will be playing at what feels like 10 in the morning.
But an early start may not be the only thing working against the Bruins.
West Virginia’s NCAA tournament hopes took a big hit after Wednesday’s loss to Pittsburgh, dropping the Mountaineers to 18-5 (7-4, Big East) into a fourth-place tie with Notre Dame.
A win against the second-ranked Bruins would go a long way in helping West Virginia secure a spot in the Big Dance.
“UCLA is comparable to Pittsburgh in the way they match up with West Virginia. They’re going to guard the perimeter and will be good down low,” says Sportsmemo.com professional handicapper Rob Veno, who made UCLA a 2 ½-point road favorite based on his own power ratings.
"The difference though, is travel, which I think should be considered. I think it does make a difference. West Virginia needing a non-conference win over a marquee team is an outside circumstance that will also play heavily into this game."
While every team travels during the course of the season, the close proximity of Pac-10 schools has made it relatively easy on teams. Traveling across three time zones will challenge even the strongest of teams. An earlier than usual start can throw off everything from game preparation to a shooter's touch.
But not everyone thinks jet lag will be a problem for the Bruins.
“There aren’t really any adjustments that are made to the line when a West Coast team goes east for an early game,” says a Bodog.com bookmaker. “Most of these kids have to be up early in the morning to practice before class as it is.”
A morning practice is likely out of the question for UCLA today.
Although it’s been two days since their last game, the Bruins barely escaped beating rival USC Wednesday night. Trailing for the entire game, the Bruins clawed their way back and took their first lead with about five minutes to go. UCLA held on for a 70-65 win as 10-point favorites but the come-from-behind win exhausted more energy than UCLA would have liked.
“That’s another thing,” says Veno. “The cross-town rivalry took everything they had - their energy, intensity and focus. There are a lot of insinuating circumstances working against UCLA this Saturday.”
Oddsmakers have the Bruins listed as 3-point favorites for today's matchup. The total is set at 125 1/2.