UCLA Bruins vs Utah State Aggies

UCLA expected a better season, but the Bruins have held their own and they are 8-3-1 ATS their past 12 games and 18-13-1 ATS this season. The Bruins are #27 in scoring defense allowing 65.8 points per game while allowing opponents a .431 field goal percentage. Utah State shoots 43.8 percent and the Aggies are #208 hitting just 33.8 percent from 3-point range. Utah State is 1-6 ATS its past seven NCAA Tournament games and the Bruins have covered four straight following a loss, 4-0-1 ATS as favorites of 0.5-6.5 points. The Aggies have lost three of five, including 83-72 to Colorado State in the Mountain West tournament. They have failed to score more than 72 points in four of their past five games going UNDER in three of them. UCLA allows only 30.1 points in the first half and Utah State allows 32.4. UCLA's coach, Mick Cronin, relies on his defense to win games and that will be the case here. Take UCLA to cover, and play the first half UNDER.