UCLA Basketball Vs CSUN: Betting Odds, How To Watch, Predictions And More

The Bruins are looking for an easy layup.

Your 5-4 UCLA Bruins men's basketball team are looking to right the ship after a bumpy start to their season with a hopeful victory against the 7-3 Cal State Univesity Northridge Matadors tonight.

The matchup is set for 7 p.m. PT on the Pac-12 Network. Per Betsperts, UCLA is projected as a 17.5-point favorite to win tonight.

UCLA has had trouble closing out contests against stiffer competition than CSUN. The club has been able to handle inferior competition, but has thus far lost out all its close bouts to tougher foes, including the Marquette Golden Eagles (71-69), the Gonzaga Bulldogs (69-65), the Villanova Wildcats (65-56), and most recently the Ohio State Buckeyes on Saturday (67-60).

The Bruins should win handily tonight. But will they cover that estimated over/under margin? Given that they've beaten the other clubs by an average of 19.2 points per game (uncomfortably close to that 17.5-point line), it's a bit tough to project.

But I'm feeling optimistic. Let's say they cover. I'll call the final tally at 75-50 in favor of the Bruins. As a bonus, I'll predict the game's high scorer: power forward Adem Bona. Freshman guard Sebastian Mack, a four-star recruit out of Chicago, is the club's leading scorer at 13.7 points per, but his aggressive style of play lends itself to injuries. Bona, whose 13 points per game ranks second on the team, is strong enough to withstand punishment, and should be able to handily overpower all comers in the paint tonight.