AAA's Afternoon 10* Pac-12 *RED DRAGON!*
(NCAAB) Arizona State vs. UCLA,
Point Spread: 5.50 | -107.00 Arizona State (Away)
Result: Loss
This is a 10* RED DRAGON on Arizona State.

While we are primarily a situationally based handicapping service, we don't prescribe to any one single methodology, but instead feel that being flexible with ones approach is the best way to secure profits over the longterm. Sometimes we keep it simple, while other times we'll take into account a bunch of different factors, like motivation, scheduling and significant injuries. Recognizing classic "spot bets" is something we always do as well, IE: the "look ahead" spot, the "let down" spot and the "trap" game. The actual contestants on the field of play rarely enter into our equation when making selections, unless it's a Top 3 player like a LeBron James or Aaron Rodgers etc. One set of criteria which we almost always use when making our decisions, are Against The Spread (ATS) statistics. Sometimes these stats can be overrated and other times they help foreshadow the outcome of a contest.

This particular play is based on a few different factors:

Revenge factor: Despite ASU winning last season's meeting 68-66 in February, this must still be considered a "revenge" game for the Sun Devils, as UCLA holds a 64-19 all-time edge, including having won seven of the last nine in the series.

Desperation breeds motivation: ASU won its final four non-conference contests, but has opened league play by dropping its first two. The Sun Devils will now look to take advantage of a complacent Bruins team which opened league play 0-2, but who come in off a huge 87-84 win over seventh-ranked Arizona last time out (we had the Bruins in that one). There's no question that this sets up as a classic letdown spot for the home side.

ATS Statistics: Note that Arizona State is already 6-3 ATS vs. teams with winning records this year, while UCLA is 3-7 ATS in the same position and 0-4 ATS when playing with one or less days rest.

The bottom line: A bunch of great situational factors collide and while we wouldn't be shocked by the outright upset, we will in the end recommend grabbing as many points as you can as we look for ARIZONA STATE to at the very least, take this one down to the wire and to comfortably sneak in through the back door down the stretch.

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