There are some big games on the NCAAB schedule on Thursday night, but none bigger than a Sweet 16 game in the West Region. The Gonzaga Bulldogs and UCLA Bruins meet up, and a trip to the Elite 8 is at stake.
Gonzaga and UCLA were both expected to go on deep runs in the NCAA Tournament this season, but one will be heading home on Thursday night. This is going to be one of the top NCAA basketball games today, as these two historic programs will clash with a lot on the line.
Making a Gonzaga vs UCLA prediction is more than just looking at the odds to win March Madness and then taking the better overall team.
Making March Madness bracket predictions in the Sweet 16 can get a bit more challenging as the teams are better.
Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. UCLA Bruins Information
Gonzaga Bulldogs vs UCLA Bruins
Location of the game: T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, NV.
Date and Time: Thursday, March 23, 9:45 PM EST.
How to Watch: CBS
Updates for Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. UCLA Bruins
Looking at the college basketball injury report is always important, but especially this time of year. Gonzaga appears to be in good shape in terms of injuries, but UCLA comes into this game missing guard Jaylen Clark, and that’s a significant loss.
Gonzaga got to the Sweet 16 by beating Grand Canyon in a blowout and then surviving a scare from TCU. UCLA had a dominant performance against UNC-Asheville in the First Round and then narrowly got past Northwestern in the Second Round.
Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. UCLA Bruins Betting Preview
The NCAAB odds for this game have the UCLA Bruins as slim two-point betting favorites, and the over/under line is set at 145.5 total points. Those odds tell you that these teams are extremely competitive, and it should also be a game that features a ton of points.
Gonzaga has been one of the best NCAA basketball teams in the country over the past decade, but they are still looking for a title. The Bulldogs are led by Drew Timme, and he is scoring over 21 points per game this season.
The UCLA Bruins are a team that is loaded with great college basketball players, including Jaime Jaquez Jr. UCLA was at the top of the college basketball standings in the Pac-12 Conference this season, and they earned their number two seed.
UCLA’s defense is a formidable challenge for Gonzaga’s scoring machine
Gonzaga is a team that wants to win on the offensive end of the floor, and they are scoring over 87 points per game this season. The Bulldogs will have to deal with a UCLA team that can get stops, as the Bruins are allowing just 58 points per game this season.
Both the Bulldogs and Bruins have played in big games all season long, and they will both be ready to play as soon as the ball is tipped. In a game of this magnitude, every possession is going to matter.
Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. UCLA Bruins Betting Prediction
The current odds to win March Madness are extremely close for both Gonzaga and UCLA, but the winner of this game will get a huge boost in those odds. There doesn’t appear to be much separation between the two teams, but UCLA has been the better overall team this season.
This is a game that is going to be decided in the final few minutes, and UCLA just has more players that have been successful in this position. Gonzaga has a superstar in Drew Timme, but he can’t do it alone in this game.
If you are making NCAAB picks in the Sweet 16, then taking the UCLA Bruins at -2.0 is the way to go. UCLA will come away with a 78-73 win on Thursday night.
Betting on this event:
- Go with UCLA Bruins to deliver and cover the -2.0 betting spread.
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