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While most of the college basketball world prepares for North Carolina-Duke on Thursday night, there’s a looming west-coast thriller awaiting as the encore: Oregon vs. UCLA.
The pair of Top-10 teams and Final Four contenders meet for the second time this season, with the first matchup seeing a then-unranked Oregon defeat a then-No. 2 UCLA thanks Dillon Brooks’ heroics.
Oddsmakers like the Bruins to get revenge at Pauley Pavilion, but ultimately we can only hope this one is equally as entertaining as that late December meeting.
Here’s a complete look at everything you need to know about the crucial Pac-12 matchup:
Oregon vs. UCLA Betting Information
Note: All odds and numbers courtesy of OddsShark.com
Date: Thursday, February 9, 2017
Start Time: 10 p.m. ET
Spread: UCLA (-4.5)
Moneyline: Oregon (+170), UCLA (-200)
Over/Under: 164
Oregon vs. UCLA Prediction
We know both of these teams can score.
UCLA, led by potential No. 1 pick Lonzo Ball, is first in the country in Ken Pomeroy’s adjusted offensive efficiency rankings, first in effective field-goal percentage and second in three-point percentage.
Oregon, returning a large chunk of last year’s Elite 8 squad, are 35th in Pomeroy’s adjusted offensive efficiency, 24th in effective field-goal percentage and capable of lighting it up from long range, as Arizona knows all too well.
When these two teams met in December, they combined for 176 points and 22 three-pointers, shot 48.9 percent from the floor and had nine scorers in double-figures.
Expect a similar script to this one, and expect the team that can make some key defensive stops to be the one to come away with the victory.
That’s likely Oregon. The Ducks rank 12th in adjusted defensive efficiency, while the Bruins–whose defense has been a major liability this season–rank 115th. If the Ducks just dropped 85 points against Arizona, who ranks 24th defensively, they should be able score with ease against Steve Alford’s squad.
Even on the road, the better defensive team gets the edge in this battle of offensive juggernauts.
Prediction: Oregon 88, UCLA 83