Arizona Wildcats vs Ucla Bruins Picks and Predictions December 14th 2024

No. 24 UCLA, Arizona Rekindle Rivalry in Hall of Fame Series

The storied rivalry between UCLA and Arizona returns to the spotlight Saturday, as No. 24 UCLA faces Arizona in the Hall of Fame Series in Phoenix. Once fierce Pac-12 rivals, the programs meet for the first time since the conference’s dissolution last year and their first nonconference matchup since 1977.

UCLA: Riding a Wave of Momentum

UCLA (8-1) enters the game on a seven-game win streak, a marked improvement after a challenging previous season. The Bruins’ latest victory, a thrilling 73-71 triumph over No. 12 Oregon, was sealed by Dylan Andrews’ game-winning 3-pointer with just 0.3 seconds on the clock.

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Head coach Mick Cronin praised his team’s resilience and growth.

“I didn’t come to UCLA to win regular-season games,” Cronin said. “It’s about progression and getting better. Against Oregon, we came together, got more cohesive, and played with confidence.”

Key Players for UCLA

• Tyler Bilodeau: The junior forward leads the Bruins with 13.3 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. A former Oregon State standout, Bilodeau has become a vital part of UCLA’s success.
• Eric Dailey Jr.: A transfer from Oklahoma State, Dailey is averaging 12.3 points and 5.2 rebounds, showcasing versatility and offensive reliability.
• Kobe Johnson: The USC transfer contributes across the board with 7.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and a team-high 3.2 assists per game.

Arizona: Searching for Stability

Arizona (4-4) is in the midst of a challenging season, struggling against top-tier competition and power-conference opponents. The Wildcats’ only win in their last six games came in a 102-66 rout over Southern Utah, a much-needed morale boost.

Arizona head coach Tommy Lloyd emphasized the importance of resilience in his team’s development.

“Great programs are going to stumble,” Lloyd said. “The response is the key. UCLA is a good program, but if we show up and only worry about them, we’re going to get our ass kicked.”

Key Players for Arizona

• Caleb Love: The fifth-year guard leads the Wildcats with 14.1 points per game but has struggled with efficiency, shooting 37.2 percent from the field.
• Jaden Bradley: The Alabama transfer is averaging 12 points per game, providing a steady presence in the backcourt.
• Trey Townsend: A versatile forward averaging 11.3 points and contributing as a consistent secondary scorer.

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What’s at Stake

For UCLA, this game represents an opportunity to extend its winning streak and build its résumé with a victory against a historically strong program. For Arizona, it’s a chance to steady the ship after a rough start and earn a confidence-boosting win.

Prediction

UCLA’s depth, strong defensive identity, and recent momentum make them the favorites heading into this matchup. While Arizona has talented pieces, their inconsistency and struggles against high-level opponents could be their undoing. Expect the Bruins to control the game’s pace and emerge with a hard-fought win.