Arizona vs UCLA Picks and Prediction for Monday November 2 2026
Arizona went 36-3 last season. Thirty-six wins and three losses. That’s a heck of a basketball team.
But here’s the problem with using that record to handicap Monday’s game. Arizona lost its top three scorers. UCLA lost some important players too, but the Bruins have a few guys back who already know how Mick Cronin wants them to play.
I’m not saying Arizona isn’t talented. It absolutely is. I just don’t think the Wildcats should be getting too much credit for what last year’s team accomplished.
No. 5 Arizona faces No. 22 UCLA at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Monday, November 2, with tipoff scheduled for 10 PM ET. The game is part of the Hall of Fame Series doubleheader and will be televised on TNT and truTV. Arizona is favored by 4.5 points at FanDuel, with the total at 150.5. Both teams are opening their regular seasons, so there are no current-season records or meaningful regular-season averages to compare. The college basketball season just tipped off and you can find all the betting action with our free college basketball picks.
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Arizona Wildcats Have Plenty of Talent but a New Rotation
Arizona finished 36-3 last season and went 16-2 in Big 12 play. The Wildcats were one of the best teams in the country, and Tommy Lloyd has built a program that expects to compete deep into March. But this year’s team has a different look. Losing the top three scorers means other players have to take on much bigger roles.
Last season, Arizona averaged 86.2 points and allowed 69.4. The Wildcats were also one of the best rebounding teams in college basketball, collecting nearly 40 boards per game. Those numbers explain why Arizona was so successful, but they belong to last year’s roster. Monday’s question is whether the new group can establish the same physical advantage against a UCLA team that generally plays disciplined defense.
Motiejus Krivas gives Arizona a 7-foot-2 presence inside, and that could be the biggest matchup problem for UCLA. Freshman Caleb Holt brings the kind of athleticism that can change a game, while Ivan Kharchenkov gives the Wildcats another capable defender. But RJ Godfrey is unavailable, taking away an important frontcourt option. Arizona has talent, no question. I just want to see how quickly it all comes together.
UCLA Bruins Have Some Familiar Faces
UCLA finished last season with 24 wins and reached the NCAA Tournament. The Bruins open this season ranked No. 22, and Cronin has a group that could be better than people expect. They’ve also looked good in their two exhibition games, beating California Baptist 100-53 and San Diego 82-50.
Last season, UCLA averaged 77.1 points and allowed 71.1. Those numbers were nowhere near Arizona’s offensive production, but Cronin’s teams usually try to make opponents uncomfortable defensively. In the exhibitions, UCLA scored 182 points while allowing only 103. That’s encouraging, although beating exhibition opponents isn’t the same as facing the fifth-ranked team in the country.
Eric Dailey Jr. averaged 15.5 points and 6.5 rebounds in the two exhibitions, hitting seven of 12 three-pointers. Trent Perry averaged 13 points and 5.5 assists while committing only one turnover across both games. That’s the kind of guard play I want in a season opener. Freshman Nikola Kusturica gives UCLA a versatile wing who can handle the ball and attack the basket. The concern is inside. If Xavier Booker gets into foul trouble against Krivas, UCLA could have a difficult time protecting the rim.
Arizona vs UCLA Picks and Prediction
UCLA Bruins +4.5
I’m taking UCLA plus 4.5. Arizona has the size and athleticism to win this game, and Krivas could be a serious problem inside. That’s the danger. But the Wildcats lost a lot of scoring, and I don’t want to lay more than two possessions against a ranked opponent in the first game of the season. UCLA has experienced guards, a coach who knows how to slow a game down, and enough shooting to stay close. I wouldn’t be shocked if Arizona wins by two or three. That’s fine with me. I’ll take the points.
Under 150.5 Points
I’ll take Under 150.5. Both teams have new pieces, and I expect some possessions where the timing isn’t quite right. Arizona likes to play fast, and that’s the biggest concern. If the Wildcats get a bunch of easy baskets in transition, this total could be in trouble. But UCLA should try to control the pace, defend the paint and make Arizona execute in the half court. That’s the kind of game Cronin wants. Something like Arizona 75-72 sounds about right.
Final Picks: UCLA Bruins +4.5 and Under 150.5 Points
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