No. 14 Gonzaga vs. No. 22 UCLA highlights our faculty basketball greatest bets in a big-time top-25 matchup.
It’s a Saturday showdown, a matinee that carries the burden of custom and the fun of the current. Mark Few’s Gonzaga Bulldogs, ranked No. 14, face Mick Cronin’s No. 22 UCLA Bruins in a conflict of West Coast blue bloods.
Set towards the backdrop of the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, this top-25 matchup guarantees the form of depth that defines faculty basketball. It’s a gathering of two storied packages, every looking for to cement their early-season credentials. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET on FOX. Inglewood would be the stage, however the nation shall be watching.
School Basketball Greatest Bets for Saturday, Dec. 28
Gonzaga vs. UCLA Betting Preview
All Gonzaga vs. UCLA odds are from DraftKings Sportsbook and are appropriate as of Saturday, Dec. 28.
- Unfold
Gonzaga -4.5 - Moneyline
Gonzaga -190 | UCLA +155 - Over/Underneath
148 - Recreation Time
4:00 p.m. ET - Location
Intuit Dome| Inglewood, CA - How To Watch
Fox
Gonzaga vs. UCLA Greatest Bets
There’s a rhythm, a consistency, to Mark Few’s groups—a symphony of offensive precision orchestrated by an elite level guard. This yr, Ryan Nembhard holds the baton, conducting Gonzaga’s high-powered assault with 10.2 assists to simply 2.2 turnovers per sport. Towards UCLA’s relentless defensive stress, Nembhard’s poise may show pivotal, a gentle hand within the storm.
But, the Bulldogs face questions. With out a true secondary ball-handler, Nembhard bears a heavy load. Whereas Nolan Hickman thrives as a fringe sharpshooter, he isn’t a stress reliever. Enter Khalif Battle, the explosive veteran guard who generates offense by drawing fouls and creating chaos. Add a frontcourt trio of Graham Ike, Braden Huff, and Ben Gregg—all averaging double figures—and Gonzaga’s offensive depth stands out.
Gonzaga PG Ryan Nembhard is on tempo to have top-of-the-line passing seasons in CBB. Up to now he’s averaging
11 PPG
3 RPG
11 APG
2 SPG
57% TSNembhard is averaging a formidable double double with assists by his first 8 video games which is one thing nearly remarkable. He’s additionally… pic.twitter.com/kFqaV3L3mb
— KJ (@KJ__Hoops) December 3, 2024
The Zags’ three losses inform a narrative. They’ve fallen solely to UConn, Kentucky, and a pre-injury West Virginia, every loss towards elite competitors. In the meantime, UCLA is driving a scorching streak, successful 9 of its final 10 video games, with slender victories over Arizona and Oregon showcasing its grit. Nevertheless, the Bruins’ offense—ranked sixtieth in effectivity—lags behind their stout protection (fourth).
This sport is a collision of contrasting strengths: Gonzaga’s up-tempo, 80+ level offense versus UCLA’s defensive grit. The query is whether or not the Bruins can hold tempo when scoring turns into a necessity.
In a sport the place possessions matter, Gonzaga’s capability to keep away from turnovers and dictate tempo offers it the sting. Few’s squad, rested and prepared, seems to be poised to run and gun, testing UCLA’s limits. The Bulldogs ought to cowl the -4.5 to -5 unfold, pulling away as their offensive firepower proves an excessive amount of for the Bruins to include over 40 minutes. That is Gonzaga’s second to shine, a check of its capability to stability precision and tempo on the grand stage.
BEST BET: Gonzaga -4.5
