Predictions, Odds & Best Bets for UCLA vs Gonzaga on Dec. 13
By Ryan Potts in College Basketball
Published:
- Gonzaga looks for its fourth ranked win of the season already
- UCLA won this matchup last season
- Keep reading for my UCLA vs Gonzaga prediction and best bets as well as the line for this west coast battle
The No.25 UCLA Bruins (7-2) head north to face the No.8 Gonzaga Bulldogs (9-1). While not a home game for Gonzaga, they do get to stay in the same state. Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle plays host to this top-25 showdown – the Seattle Hoops Showdown. ESPN will broadcast the game at 11:30 pm ET.
Continue reading for my UCLA vs Gonzaga predictions and best bets, as well as the updated line for this burgeoning rivalry.
UCLA vs Gonzaga Predictions and Best Bets
- Over 147.5 Points (-110, Fanatics)
The over is live in any Gonzaga game. Gonzaga is averaging 92.9 points per game this season, the 10th-best mark in Division I. UCLA is more in the middle of the pack, averaging 77.2 points per game. While both teams have top-30 scoring defenses (about 65 points allowed per game), it is perfectly realistic for both teams to score 70 points tonight.
In 10 Gonzaga games, at least 148 points have been scored eight times. In four matchups against ranked teams, at least 153 points have been scored each time. UCLA games have been generally lower scoring, but at least 152 points have been scored in two of UCLA’s last three games.
- Donovan Dent Over 5.5 Assists (-112, FanDuel)
In eight games this season, Donovan Dent has amassed six or more assists five times. He has had as many as nine in a game (Eastern Washington), Dent has hit the over on this prop in two of the last three games.
The New Mexico transfer has averaged 6.0 assists over his last 78 games, dating back to the start of the 23-24 season. He has 49 career games with six or more assists. At New Mexico, Dent had seven games with at least 10 assists, tallying a whopping 14 in a game back in January of 2024.
In the only other game against a ranked opponent, Dent had eight assists in UCLA’s loss to Arizona.
- Graham Ike Over 0.5 Threes (+120, BetMGM)
Graham Ike has six made threes on the season, with four coming in Gonzaga’s win over Creighton. While he has only hit a three in three of nine games, he has hit one in two of his last three games. The positive here is that Ike has at least one attempt in eight of nine games, only going attempt-less in a 72-point win over Southern Utah.
As the “1B” option in Gonzaga’s offense next to Braden Huff, I give a 50-50 chance to Ike making one three, so the +120 odds are a great value for the sixth-year season. He has attempted multiple threes in five games this season, attempting four against Creighton and Michigan.
UCLA vs Gonzaga Odds
Gonzaga is a 9.5-point favorite in this west coast game. The total is set between 147.5 and 148.5. Over bettors can bet over 147.5 on Fanatics for -110 odds. Under bettors can bet under 148.5 on FanDuel for -105 odds.
Gonzaga bettors can take the Bulldogs at -9.5 on BetMGM (-110 odds) or at -535 on the moneyline at DraftKings. UCLA bettors can take the Bruins at +10 on Caesars (-110 odds) or +430 on the moneyline at FanDuel.
College basketball odds as of 3:00 pm ET.
UCLA vs Gonzaga Public Betting Splits
The public is all over Gonzaga, as shown in Saturday’s college basketball public betting splits. Despite a limited payout, 98% of moneyline bets are on Gonzaga, compromising 90% of the moneyline handle.
The spread is much in the same as 80% of bets are on Gonzaga to cover -9.5. However, this only accounts for 56% of the handle. In other words, Gonzaga bettors are more conservative in their wagers while the rare UCLA bet is much larger in size.
The public is demolishing the over. As of Saturday afternoon, a whopping 86% of bets are on the over with a strong 83% of the handle on over 147.5 points in this west coast showdown. In contrast, just 17% of the handle is on the under while 14% of bets are on the under.
UCLA vs Gonzaga, By The Numbers
UCLA vs Gonzaga, Recent History
This marks the 11th matchup between these schools, with Gonzaga winning seven of the first 10. Gonzaga has UCLA have played in each other in six consecutive seasons now, including a pair of tournament games in 2021 and 2023. The 2021 matchup ended in stunning fashion as Jalen Suggs hit a buzzer beater to send the Bulldogs to the national championship game.
Last season, UCLA won 65-62 in a pseudo home game at the Intuit Dome. Eric Dailey Jr. lead the Bruins with 18 points, one of four players in double figures. On the Gonzaga side, Graham Ike went 11-for-16 from the field en route to 24 points and eight rebounds in a losing effort.
Ryan Potts is a veteran football and baseball content creator. He was previously a credentialed NFL media member, covering the draft, bombine, and Super Bowl. He has been featured on Atlanta sports talk radio and Arizona student radio. Ryan is a journalism graduate from the University of Arizona.
