UCLA vs Norfolk State Betting Preview
College basketball analyst Kyle Kargel breaks down tonight’s UCLA vs Norfolk State matchup from the Pauley Pavilion. The Spartans are coming off a season in which they made the NCAA Tournament as the defending MEAC Tournament champions. UCLA lost to North Carolina in the Sweet 16 of last year’s tournament.
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Monday, November 14 | College Basketball Betting Notes |
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Point Spread: | UCLA Bruins -20.5 vs Norfolk State Spartans |
Total: | 145 Points |
Game Time: | 10:00pm ET / 8:00pm PT |
Arena: | Pauley Pavilion in Los Angeles, CA (Odds Above by DraftKings) |
TV: | Pac-12 Network |
UCLA vs Norfolk State Analysis
The Norfolk State Spartans makes the cross-country trip to Los Angeles to take on UCLA tonight in their second game against Division One competition this season.
Their first was a 87-70 loss to #5 Baylor in which they were 27-point underdogs. Their last game against a Division One team before this season was coincidentally against the Bears in last year’s NCAA Tournament in which they lost by 36.
The defending MEAC Tournament champions head in as 20.5-point underdogs against the Bruins tonight with the total sitting at 141.5.
Bruins Prep For Big Friday Game
UCLA hasn’t had much competition this year sitting 2-0 with both their wins coming in blowout fashion against Sacramento State and Long Beach State.
This will be a good tune-up game before heading to Las Vegas to take on #23 Illinois this Friday. They have five players all averaging double digit scoring through two games including Jaylen Clark averaging 16.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 4.5 apg and a whopping 5.5 steals per game.
This team is well rounded enough to compete for a Pac-12 Championship and perhaps make another deep run in the NCAA Tournament.
Although competition has been minimal so far the Bruins are top 10 in the country in adjusted offensive efficiency and top 20 in adjusted defensive efficiency.
Spartans Struggling to Protect Basketball
The Spartans like to play slow and their defense against the 3 pt shot has been atrocious this season allowing the Bears alone to drain 15 from downtown. They even allowed the two non-Division I schools to make 17 combined three pointers as well.
Luckily for them though, UCLA isn’t known for their 3 pt making ability but the Bruins are efficient from deep ranking 33rd nationally in 3 pt percentage this season.
The Spartans have been dreadful taking care of the ball this season so far ranking 339th in turnover percentage on offense and if Norfolk State is going to stay in this game, senior Joe Bryant Jr. is going to need another performance how he did against Baylor scoring 24 points on 9-17 shooting and 4-9 from beyond the arch.
UCLA vs Norfolk State Prediction
The Spartans flat out can’t take care of the ball and Clark is going to look for his opportunity for additional steals yet again for the Bruins.
I think UCLA is slightly better on defense than Baylor and are more efficient shooting the three. So I’m looking at UCLA -20.5 with a final score looking something like 80-55.
Prediction: UCLA Bruins -20.5
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College Basketball Stat Sheet
GoldSheet prepares a daily college basketball stat sheet, which offers a head-to-head comparison for how teams are performing in a number of key areas heading into a game. Check out Monday’s sheet, with notes on tonight’s UCLA vs Norfolk State contest.
Happy Hour Tip-Off Show
Get your daily fix of college hoops betting information with Joe Raineri and a rotating panel of handicapping guests. The Happy Hour Tip-Off Show will broadcast Monday through Friday at 1:45pm ET / 10:45am PT. Pull up a barstool and join us as we break down tonight’s college basketball card, including this UCLA vs Norfolk State clash, from a sports betting perspective.
College Basketball Odds Screen
Sportsmemo’s live odds screen features up-to-the-minute lines from a variety of offshore and domestic sports books. Track the college basketball point spreads, moneylines, first half lines and betting percentages for all of Friday’s college basketball games, including this UCLA vs Norfolk State showdown, from your desktop or phone.
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