Arizona vs. UCLA, Picks and Prediction, Friday, November 14, 2025
We have a former Pac-12 rivalry taking place on Friday night in this Arizona vs. UCLA prediction. The late Bill Walton would be anticipating a matchup of 3-0 teams taking place at 10pmET from Pauley Pavilion at the Hall of Fame Series in Inglewood. No. 5 Arizona (3-0) is coming off an 84-49 win over Northern Arizona on Nov. 11. No. 15 UCLA (3-0), defeated West Georgia 73-62 on Nov. 10. These teams met last season with the Bruins taking the game 57-54 as a four-point underdog. Check out free college basketball predictions and other winners at Stat Salt.
Wildcats looking for big season
Arizona finished at 24-13 overall and 14-6 in the Big 12 last season. With three starters returning, expectations are high for Tommy Lloyd's team, which lost in the Sweet 16 last year. The Wildcats opened the season with an impressive 93-87 win over last year's champs, Florida, as a 3.5-point dog. They really haven't been tested since, as a freshman, Dwayne Aristode scored 18 points and hit six three-pointers to lead them over Northern Arizona on Tuesday.
Freshman Koa Peat (6-8, 235) leads the Wildcats with 19.3 points per game and adds 5.7 rebounds. He struggled in his last game against NAU, scoring 10 points, but opened the season with 30 points, seven rebounds and five assists against Florida. Senior guard Jaden Bradley adds 16 points and shoots 64% from the field.
Arizona is shooting 51.1% from the field and 43.5% from long range. They allow 38% from beyond the arc and 26.2% from long range.
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Key Injury Report for Arizona:
No key injuries for Arizona at this time.
UCLA gets its first test
The Bruins finished 23-11 last season overall and 13-7 in the Big 10. They return three starters, but head coach Mick Cronin hit the portal hard, with his biggest addition being guard Donovan Dent, who averaged 20.4 points and 6.4 assists last season at New Mexico. Dent sat out Monday's 21-point win over West Georgia due to a muscle strain but is expected to play against Arizona. This season, he's averaging 16.5 points and 6.5 assists in two games, but is shooting just 44% from the field (25% 3pt).
One of the top returning players is forward Tyler Biloadeau (6-9, 235), who averaged 13.5 points and 4.6 rebounds. The former Oregon State big man adds 16.3 points this season on 4-of-12 from three-point range and is shooting 51.4% from the field.
The Bruins are shooting 48% from the field but just 29.7% from beyond the arc. They are allowing 43.4% shooting from the field and 35.4% from long range (273rd).
Key Injury Report for UCLA:
G Donovant Dent (muscle strain) sat out the last game and is questionable against Arizona.
Spread Picks for Arizona vs. UCLA
Arizona vs. UCLA Picks and Prediction
- Arizona -1.5 (4 units)
Arizona is the better team here, and with Dent's status somewhat iffy, I'm taking the Wildcats with the revenge factor. UCLA has played mainly a cupcake schedule thus far and their three-point shooting (29.7%) is a concern. They also haven't defended the three-point shot well (35.4%,) and that's a problem against a very good three-point shooting team. The Wildcats also defend the three well and while they gave up 87 points to Florida in the opener, their defense was on point, holding the Gators to 43% from the field and 26% from beyond the arc.
Over/Under for Arizona vs. UCLA
- Over 154.5 (4 units)
Arizona is 34th in Adjusted Tempo (pace) according to KenPom. UCLA will slow it down some, but it will be tough against an Arizona team that can score quickly. Last year's game was very slow and the Wildcats will make sure they dictate the tempo against a squad that has a point guard who played for New Mexico (7th in pace last year). Dent is not comfortable with that pace.
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