UCLA vs Southern Utah Prediction 11-26-24 College Basketball Picks

The Southern Utah Thunderbirds and the UCLA Bruins meet Tuesday in College Basketball action from Pauley Pavilion. Here’s a UCLA vs Southern Utah prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best UCLA vs Southern Utah pick.

Southern Utah Thunderbirds Betting Preview

The Thunderbirds’ season has been pretty busy, with seven Games in the bag so far. Southern Utah has wins over Western NM, FIU, Bethesda, Omaha, San Diego, and Idaho so far alongside a lone loss to Loyola IL 76-72 on November 19.

Matched up against Idaho on Saturday, the Thunderbirds rolled to a 42-25 halftime edge. Southern Utah hit a 42-40 deficit in the second half during an 82-67 win. Jamir Simpson led the team with 21 points and four rebounds.

UCLA Bruins Betting Preview

Over on the UCLA side, they demolished Rider in their opener then fell to New Mexico in Game two. The Bruins have played better with wins over the last four, taking out Boston U, Lehigh, Idaho State, and CSU Fullerton in that time.

In the Game versus the Titans on Friday, the Bruins were up 39-25 going into the second half. UCLA scored another 41 points from there for a blowout victory 80-47. Kobe Johnson topped the team with 12 points with six rebounds and five assists.

Why the UCLA Bruins will win

• UCLA has won each of its last 23 night games at Edwin W. Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescon following a home win.
• Southern Utah has lost each of its last six Tuesday games against non-conference opponents.
• UCLA has won the first half in 23 of its last 26 games against non-conference opponents at Edwin W. Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescon.

Why the Southern Utah Thunderbirds will win

• Southern Utah has won seven of its last eight games.
• Southern Utah has won the first half in seven of its last eight games against non-AP-ranked opponents.

UCLA vs Southern Utah Prediction

I might try Southern Utah here. The Thunderbirds have looked pretty good so far, with just one blemish on the card this year. Southern Utah didn’t have to work too hard against a struggling Idaho team in their last outing, shooting 56.6 percent from the field with 33 rebounds and 16 team assists. The Thunderbirds have scored 72 or more points in every Game so far, but this will be their toughest matchup of the season by quite a margin.

As for UCLA, they’re doing well also—outside of that lone loss to New Mexico, that is. The Bruins crushed a cold-shooting CSU Fullerton (28.8 percent) in their last matchup with 50 percent from the field. UCLA did get outmuscled on the boards 39-36 though. If Southern Utah can hit the glass for some second-chance points (or just shoot well from the floor and get to the line consistently) I think the Thunderbirds can follow along for a cover here.