Utah vs UCLA Odds, Picks and Predictions: Bruins Get Their Revenge

There’s revenge... and then there’s trying to get even following a 46-point loss. 

The UCLA Bruins got pummeled 90-44 in Salt Lake City back on January 11. The loss was so embarrassing that it kickstarted a season revival for Mick Cronin’s squad, which has won eight of its nine games since that unfortunate defeat. 

Will they get the revenge they’re looking for on Sunday against the Utah Utes? Looking at college basketball odds, the Bruins are 2.5-point favorites and the total is set at 134.5.

UCLA’s six-game winning streak is nothing to scoff at, but Utah holds all the advantages in the season-long metrics. What gives during this rematch? Check out our college basketball picks and predictions for Utah vs. UCLA below to find out.

Utah vs UCLA best odds

Utah vs UCLA picks and predictions

A lot has changed since these two teams first met. Craig Smith’s Utah Utes demolished the UCLA Bruins by a score of 90-44 in Salt Lake City to move to 12-4 but have since fallen apart, winning just three of their ensuing nine games. 

They’ll need to stem the bleeding fast if they want to go dancing. Bracket Matrix lists the Utes as a No. 11 currently, but their spot in the NCAA Tournament is all but well-assured — especially if the losses keep piling up. 

The ignominious loss the first time around dropped the Bruins to 6-10. It marked a steep fall from grace for a proud program that had reached two Sweet 16s and a Final Four in the last three years under Mick Cronin. 

Here’s the thing — that loss seems to revitalized the Bruins, who have won eight of nine games since their public shaming. The lone defeat is nothing to scoff at either as it came on the road against conference-leading Arizona in a game where UCLA held a 17-point lead early in the second half. 

The metrics still haven’t caught up to UCLA, who checks in at 91st overall in KenPom. That’s created some beautiful value in the betting market during the recent hot stretch as the Bruins are 8-1 ATS since the first meeting with Utah. 

I’m a believer in the turnaround. Cronin is one of the best coaches in America and it’s only right his team won’t stay down for long. A major step back was to be expected after losing a ton of meaningful production from last year’s decorated and senior-laden roster and even though the regression was more than many anticipated, there’s a reasonable explanation for the cause. 

Cronin came into the season with a very inexperienced roster, but it’s started to gel lately. Freshman guard Sebastian Mack (13.5 ppg) is a go-to scorer while big man Adem Bona (12.3 points, 6 rebounds per game) is one of the best interior defenders in the country.

Dylan Andrews has emerged as a reliable scoring option with at least 12 points in each of his last six games (16.2 ppg in that stretch) while Utah transfer Lazar Stefanovic has finally found his groove after a miserable shooting slump that lasted the first half of the season. 

Utah will likely still be without guard Rollie Worster (9.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 5.5 assists) due to a leg injury. While he scored just four points in the initial meeting, he’s a veteran presence who contributes in all areas and it’s perhaps not a total coincidence that Utah’s recent slide down the standings has occurred during his absence.

Smith’s squad has been miserable away from home with a 1-6 record. That includes an 0-6 record in conference play and they most recently fell to lowly USC on Thursday night. 

I don’t think this SoCal trip ends any better for the Utes. Cronin’s squad has been undervalued during its recent hot stretch and the metrics haven’t caught up. This is a different team than we saw in the first matchup and revenge will be at the front of their minds. I'd play this to -3.

My best bet: UCLA -1.5 (-118 at FanDuel)

Utah vs UCLA same-game parlay

UCLA -1.5

Utah team total Under 66.5

+141 at FanDuel

UCLA’s strength is in its defense, which checks into this matchup ranked 27th in adjusted deficiency (per KenPom). The Bruins are allowing just 63.9 ppg, which ranks 15th nationally. 

They’ve been locking down during the recent hot stretch, holding seven of their last nine opponents to 66 points or fewer. It’s not a surprise that their rise has coincided with an emphasis on doing what they do best. 

The Utes like to get out and run, ranking 73rd in adjusted tempo. I tend to favor the home team with being able to play at its preferred pace of play and UCLA is slower than molasses, ranking 345th in adjusted tempo. 

Expect the Bruins to limit possessions and avoid getting into a shootout.

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Utah vs UCLA spread and Over/Under analysis

This line has been up and down since the opener of UCLA -2.5 and it likely isn’t done yet. The Bruins can currently be had as low as -1.5 or as high as -3, and the -1.5 likely won't be available much longer given the trend. Be sure to track all future fluctuations using our college basketball line movement tool before placing your wager. 

The Trojans were able to use their defense to disrupt the Utes’ offense on Thursday night and I could see a similar thing happening in this game. UCLA is really good defensively and will be looking to avoid this game becoming a pace war. 

UCLA is typically a tough out at Pauley Pavilion. While that wasn’t the case earlier this season when its 29-game home winning streak was snapped by the mighty Cal State Northridge, it has been true lately as the Bruins have won four straight at Pauley. 

The total currently resides at 134.5 after dropping a point from the opener of 135.5. I believe that the early money was in the correct place. UCLA’s defense has been on lock lately and Cronin’s squad should look to slow this game down to take advantage of its strengths while minimalizing Utah’s. 

The Bruins have allowed just 63.8 ppg across their last nine games while holding teams to 31.4% shooting from behind the arc. Utah canned 13 triples in the first matchup and is shooting 35.9% from 3-point range (81st nationally) on the year, but I’d be surprised if it finds many clean looks on Sunday. 

Utah also likes to prioritize looks in the paint, ranking 51st in near-proximity attempt rate (Haslametrics) while shooting 63.8% at the rim (47th nationally, per Hoop-Math). 

Thanks primarily to Bona’s stone-walling presence, UCLA walls off the paint. The Bruins allow the 16th-lowest percentage of shots at the rim (30.2%) while ranking 16th in near-proximity defense vs. the average opponent (Haslametrics).

Utah vs UCLA betting trend to know

Utah is 1-6 ATS in away games. Find more college basketball betting trends for Utah vs. UCLA.

Utah vs UCLA game info

Utah vs UCLA key injuries

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