Ohio State vs UCLA Odds, Picks and Predictions: Sebastian Mack Leads Offensive Charge for Bruins

It’s time for the CBS Sports Classic as the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, GA hosts the Ohio State Buckeyes and the UCLA Bruins in non-conference play. 

When looking at college basketball odds, the Buckeyes are 2.5-point favorites while the total is set at 133.5. 

Mick Cronin’s team could use a win in the worst way to stay on the right side of early NCAA Tournament bubble conversations. That won’t come easy against a Buckeyes team that has scored 80 points in six straight. 

I have my eyes set on the total for Saturday’s best bet. Check out my college basketball picks for Ohio State vs. UCLA on Saturday, December 16. 

Ohio State vs UCLA best odds

Ohio State vs UCLA picks and predictions

Mick Cronin has earned a reputation as one of the best coaches in America for a reason. He’s led the UCLA Bruins to 58 wins across the last two seasons and has built something special in Westwood — although he’s hard pressed to repeat that success this season after a complete roster overhaul from last year’s veteran-laden squad.

With a 5-3 record through eight games, the Bruins could use a win over the Ohio State Buckeyes to keep their NCAA Tournament hopes alive. 

This year's bunch is led by big man Adem Bona, who averages 13.1 points per game and is one of the best rim protectors in the nation. Freshman guard Sebastian Mack leads the team in scoring with 13.6 ppg while Utah transfer Lazar Stefanovic is the third player averaging double-digits at 11.5. 

The Bruins haven’t impressed much so far this season and have gotten off to a slow start, which was to be expected considering the green roster. They check in at 44th overall in KenPom, ranking 21st in adjusted defensive efficiency but just 90th in adjusted offensive efficiency. 

That’s a step below their Saturday opponent as the Buckeyes check in at 27th overall in KenPom — 14th on offense and 76th in defense. Sophomore guard Bruce Thornton leads the way with 18.5 ppg while three others (Roddy Gayle, Jamison Battle, Zed Key) average double figures. 

Chris Holtmann’s squad averaged 80.8 ppg but has yet to be tested much this season. They’ve beaten six mid-major squads, Alabama, and Minnesota while falling to both Texas A&M and Penn State.

There’s a chance the Buckeyes are shorthanded or at least hobbled on Saturday as both Gayle and freshman guard Scotty Middleton are considered questionable after getting banged up against Penn State. 

I’m eyeing the total for this matchup. I’ve been keen on UCLA Unders to start the season, most recently hitting the Under against Villanova. After a 1-6 O/U start to the year, however, I think there’s been a bit of an overcorrection with Saturday’s total, which is set down at 133.5 despite the opponent being an offensive-minded Buckeyes team that has eclipsed 80 points in six straight games. 

OSU has been proficient both from downtown (40.4% from behind the arc) and in the paint (20th in near-proximity field goal percentage against the average opponent, per Haslametrics).

This offense is firing on all cylinders and yet the total is lined within six points of UCLA’s last game, which came against the offensively inept Villanova Wildcats who are shooting just 40.2% (335th nationally) from the field. 

Now’s the time to buy back on a UCLA Over in my opinion. The Buckeyes are 7-3 O/U this season and have continually surprised teams while playing above expectations. Early money has pushed this total down a few points and while I’ve been glad to play UCLA Unders so far this season, I think this money may be too late to join the train. 

My best bet: Over 133 (-110 at bet365)

Ohio State vs UCLA same-game parlay

Over 134

Sebastian Mack Over 11.5 points

+282 at DraftKings

Mack has quickly emerged as UCLA’s go-to offensive weapon, leading the team in scoring (13.6), field goal attempts (10.8), and usage rate (27%). The freshman from Henderson, NV has hoisted up double-digit shots in five straight games and should continue seeing heavy volume here in a game in which his team will need to score to keep up with an Ohio State offense that has been lights out. 

We’re getting a discount here on Mack because he’s had two straight poor shooting performances, but that’s simply recency bias. I’ll snap up the discounted price tag. 

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Ohio State vs UCLA spread and Over/Under analysis

The spread opened up with OSU as a 2.5-point favorite, and although that number remains, some books have dropped the spread to -1.5 as of writing.

This is an interesting clash of styles as Ohio State has been dead set on the Over at 7-3 O/U while the Bruins have been the opposite at 1-6 O/U. 

One interesting battle to watch is the mid-range when UCLA has the ball. The Bruins have lived and died with 2-point jumpers, hoisting them up on 39.2% of their shots — good for third nationally.

The Buckeyes have been happy to surrender those shots, checking in at 357th in mid-range field goal attempt rate against the average opponent, per Haslametrics. They haven’t been particularly adept at making opponents miss on those looks, however, ranking 240th in mid-range field goal percentage allowed against the average opponent. 

Ohio State vs UCLA betting trend to know

Ohio State is 4-0 O/U in its last four games. Find more college basketball betting trends for Ohio State vs. UCLA.

Ohio State vs UCLA game info

Ohio State vs UCLA key injuries

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