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Opening night in Las Vegas, and two ranked teams in the Hall of Fame Series. Arizona went 36-3 last season and played its last game in April. UCLA went 24-12 and lost in the second round. Last season’s numbers have Arizona by about 11, and the board has it by four and a half. Wildcats.
The Matchup
- Arizona’s last season. The Wildcats went 36-3. They beat Arkansas 109-88 and Purdue 79-64 in the NCAA Tournament, and the season ended with a 91-73 loss to Michigan on April 4.
- UCLA’s last season. The Bruins went 24-12. They beat UCF 75-71 in the NCAA Tournament, then lost 73-57 to UConn.
- They met a year ago. Arizona beat UCLA 69-65 on a neutral floor on Nov. 14, 2025.
- Rankings. Arizona starts the season No. 5 in the AP poll, and UCLA No. 22.
- Tip-off. 10:00 PM ET at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, on TNT. It’s a neutral site.
The Number
How we pick college basketball this early: last season’s scoring margins, counted as three games of evidence, plus this season’s games once they’re played. Tonight there are no games yet, so it’s all last season, and that makes Arizona about an 11-point favorite on a neutral floor. The board has the Wildcats by four and a half.
Early-season college lines are hard to beat, so these are Leans. Rosters turn over every spring, and last season’s numbers can’t see who left or who transferred in. That’s the honest case against, and it’s a big one. Win or lose, this one lands on the receipts page.
Bottom Line
Take Arizona minus four and a half at . Lean. The better program last season by a wide margin, laying less than five on a neutral floor. Bear Down.
Lines as of Monday morning. Confirm them before tip.
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