Tommy Lloyd and the Arizona Wildcats will begin the 2026-27 season against old foe Mick Cronin and the UCLA Bruins, continuing a long-standing rivalry between the two best basketball programs in the old Pac-12.
When the conference fell apart after the 2023-24 season, Arizona and UCLA agreed to meet in Phoenix in 2024 and LA in 2025 to keep this top-tier matchup alive. Arizona lost in Phoenix, 57-54, but got revenge with a 69-65 win over UCLA last season.
Now the two teams will meet in Sin City, part of a double-header that begins with Gonzaga taking on Purdue. Both games will be at T-Mobile Arena on Monday, Nov. 2, with Arizona and UCLA expected to tip off around 8:00 PM MST.
How RJ Godfrey's absence could impact Arizona
Arizona will go into this game without their projected starting power forward, RJ Godfrey, who remains ineligible after withdrawing from his Georgia lawsuit and attempting to get a TRO granted in the state of Texas late last week.
While Judge Ryan Luna has not officially denied the TRO, as of this writing, he made it clear he does not intend to grant it for players who joined the suit from other states – which would include Godfrey.
It's unclear what the next step will be for the Clemson transfer, who is a near-perfect fit in Lloyd's frontcourt next to Mo Krivas and Ivan Kharchenkov. But for now, his absence will undeniably impact Arizona's chances against a physical, veteran UCLA frontcourt that includes returning starters Xavier Booker and Eric Dailey Jr.
UCLA's Nikola Kusturica presents a challenge for Arizona
The Bruins return three starters, with Trent Perry joining Booker and Dailey, but it's one of the new pieces that will be the biggest x-factor for Cronin this year.
Nikola Kusturica, a 17-year-old Serbian who played for FC Barcelona last year, was a massive late offseason addition for UCLA. His age makes him ineligible to be drafted until 2028, but he's already being discussed as a top 3 pick. The 6'8 wing is expected to start at small forward for the Bruins and his size, playmaking, and ability to attack the basket make him an extremely tantalizing player and a matchup nightmare for opponents.
Expect Kharchenkov to draw the defensive assignment on Kusturica, and while Kharchenkov is a great defender, facing a player like Kusturica is another reason Godfrey's absence matters significantly for the Wildcats.
Below is a look at the point spread, betting odds, and TV info for Arizona's season-opening showdown in Sin City against UCLA.
Arizona vs. UCLA: Betting odds, spread and game information
Spread:Arizona -4.5 (at FanDuel Sportsbook)
Moneyline:Arizona -194, UCLA +160
Over/under:150.5 points
Records against the spread:N/A
Game time:8:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time | Monday, Nov. 2
Location:T-Mobile Arena | Las Vegas, Nevada
TV channel:TNT (or HBO MAX)
Odds are courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook. Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
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This article was originally published on www.si.com/college/arizona as Arizona vs. UCLA betting odds: Spread, moneyline and over/under for season opener.