Kings, Indiana Hoosiers & More

We are backing the Bruins to maintain their perfect 12-0 home record at Pauley Pavilion, especially with Indiana confirmed to be without starting point guard Tayton Conerway due to an ankle injury. While the Hoosiers enter with momentum following an upset of No. 12 Purdue, they face a UCLA defense ranked 21st nationally in three-point defense that may also see the return of defensive specialist Skyy Clark from a hamstring injury. We expect UCLA’s balanced attack, led by Tyler Bilodeau’s 18.2 points per game, to overwhelm a short-handed Indiana backcourt in this critical Big Ten clash.

We are backing the Utah Tech Trailblazers to capitalize on a reeling Tarleton State team that is missing stars Freddy Hicks and Dior Johnson and currently enduring a five-game losing skid. Our confidence is fueled by Ethan Potter’s dominant form, as he has totaled 45 points over his last two games, including a win over Abilene Christian on Thursday. With Tarleton head coach Billy Gillispie also sidelined by illness and the Trailblazers already holding a head-to-head win over the Texans this month, the situational advantage sits firmly with the visitors.