The No. 1 Gonzaga Bulldogs (5-0) and No. 2 UCLA Bruins (5-0) meet Tuesday for the Empire Classic Championship Game at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Tip-off is scheduled for 10 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Gonzaga vs. UCLA odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.
The Bulldogs routed the Central Michigan Chippewas 107-54 in the opener of this tournament Monday, easily covering a 34.5-point number as the Over connected. Center Chet Holmgren led the way with 19 points, while G Julian Strawther hit three triples and ended up with 15 points.
The Bruins topped the Bellarmine Knights in their tourney opener Monday, and they had a surprisingly difficult time with the Atlantic Sun foe. UCLA shot 45% from the field, led by G Johnny Juzang with 13 points and three triples — but he was the only starter with more than nine points.
Rankings courtesy of the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports.
Gonzaga vs. UCLA odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:45 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Gonzaga -300 (bet $300 to win $100) | UCLA +230 (bet $100 to win $230)
- Against the spread (ATS): Gonzaga -6.5 (-112) | UCLA +6.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 154.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
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Gonzaga vs. UCLA odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Gonzaga 86, UCLA 78
Money line
Gonzaga (-300) is a little on the expensive side at this price, as this battle between the No. 1 and 2 teams in the nation could go either way.
PASS, and look to the spread.
Against the spread
GONZAGA -6.5 (-112) is the lean here. Both teams have been tested early in big games already, as the Bulldogs topped Texas in Spokane a couple of weeks ago and UCLA outlasted Villanova in overtime in SoCal.
I think the likes of Holmgren, Strawther and F Drew Timme — who dropped 37 against the Longhorns — can outlast Juzang and the Bruins. Plus, it seemed UCLA struggled with its shots against Bellarmine and they’ll get buried if they can’t find the range Tuesday against the Zags.
Over/Under
OVER 154.5 (-115) is the lean. While the Under has connected in four of the first five for Gonzaga, the Over is 14-6 in its previous 20 neutral-site games. UCLA hit the Over in the first four before an Under result against Bellarmine. Look for plenty of scoring between these two titans in what should be an entertaining game on The Strip.
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