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Los Angeles Lakers at Washington Wizards odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Wednesday’s Los Angeles Lakers at Washington Wizards NBA odds and lines, with basketball picks, tips and predictions.

The Los Angeles Lakers (36-25) travel to meet the Washington Wizards (27-34) Tuesday at Capital One Arena. Tip-off is set for a 7 p.m. ET. Below, we analyze the Lakers-Wizards odds and lines, with NBA picks and predictions.

The Lakers picked up a 114-103 victory in Orlando Monday, pushing against the number as the Over came through. All five starters and one player off the bench had 10 or more points in a balanced attack.

The Wizards were on the short end of a 146-143 overtime loss against San Antonio Monday night, narrowly missing a cover as 2.5-point underdogs. Bradley Beal led the charge with 45 points on 20-for-37 shooting, while Russell Westbrook had a triple-double with 22 points, 14 assists and 13 rebounds.

Lakers at Wizards: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:40 a.m. ET.

Money line: Lakers -150 (bet $150 to win $100) | Wizards +125 (bet $100 to win $125)
Against the spread/ATS: Lakers -3 (-110) | Wizards +3 (-110)
Over/Under: 224.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Lakers at Wizards: Key injuries

Lakers

SG Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (ankle) probable
SG Alex Caruso (back) questionable
PF Anthony Davis (calf) probable
SF Jared Dudley (knee) out
C Marc Gasol (finger) probable
SF LeBron James (ankle) out
PG Dennis Schroder (calf) probable

Wizards

SF Deni Avdija (ankle) out
C Robin Lopez (ankle) probable

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Lakers at Wizards: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Wizards 119, Lakers 115

Money line (ML)

The WIZARDS (+125) are a solid play as short ‘dogs at home. They won the first meeting Feb. 22 in Los Angeles by a 127-124 score in overtime as seven-point underdogs. While the Lakers did not have Anthony Davis in the lineup that day, LeBron was still healthy and playing.

Washington is playing much better lately, winning eight of the past nine, going 7-2 ATS.

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Against the spread (ATS)

The WIZARDS +3 (-110) are the play here, although they’re a much better play straight up on the money line unless you think the Lakers -3 (-110) are going to win by a bucket or less.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 223.5 (-110) is the way to go here. Washington is on a 3-0 Over run, averaging a ridiculous 130.3 PPG. The Wizards have allowed 107 or more points in five straight. The first meeting saw a total of 251 points in an overtime win by the Wizards as the Over easily hit, too.

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National Championship Game: Gonzaga vs. Baylor odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Monday’s National Championship Game odds and lines, with Gonzaga vs. Baylor picks and predictions.

The Gonzaga Bulldogs (31-0) meet the Baylor Bears (27-2) in Monday night’s National Championship Game. The West Region-champ Bulldogs and South Region-champ Bears will tip off at 9:20 p.m. ET at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Below, we analyze the Gonzaga vs. Baylor National Championship Game odds and lines, with March Madness NCAA Tournament picks and predictions.

Gonzaga is No. 1 and Baylor is No. 3 in the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA Today Sports, the last iteration of which was published March 14. The Bulldogs and Bears were neck-and-neck in the poll until February when Baylor program activities were halted for three weeks due to COVID-19 protocols.

The Bulldogs are trying to become the first NCAA-I men’s basketball team to go undefeated and claim a national title since Bobby Knight’s Indiana Hoosiers did so in 1976.

Gonzaga vs. Baylor: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 1:10 p.m. ET.

Money line: Gonzaga -200 (bet $200 to win $100) | Baylor +165 (bet $100 to win $165)
Against the spread/ATS: Gonzaga -4.5 (-110) | Baylor +4.5 (-110)
Over/Under: 159.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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Gonzaga vs. Baylor: What you need to know

Gonzaga

Gonzaga, the nation’s top-scoring team with 91.6 points per game, is coming off quite a scare. In Saturday’s semifinal against UCLA, Gonzaga trailed multiple times in the game’s final six minutes, went to overtime and eventually won 93-90 on a buzzer-beater by G Jalen Suggs.

Analytics peg the ‘Zags as the No. 1 team in the nation in offensive efficiency and as a top-10 team at the other end of the floor. Metrics of note include the Bulldogs being a top-notch squad in turnover avoidance, preventing offensive rebounds, and blocking shots.

GU is an elite shooting team. The Bulldogs don’t attempt a ton of triples, but they are no slouches from distance (37.0% from beyond the arc), and they have a remarkable 63.9% conversion rate on 2-point attempts.

The Bulldogs typically get a slew of dunks, tip-ins, and lay-ups, and they’re adept at scoring in transition, on second-chance put-backs and avoiding the same on defense.

For head coach Mark Few and the five from Spokane, Wash., it has all come together to result in GU outshooting foes, 54.6% to 43.2%, in five NCAA Tournament games.

Baylor

Baylor ranks third in the nation in points per game. The Bears are further down the defensive rankings than Gonzaga, but that is mostly due to a post-COVID slide when the team scuffled upon returning to action.

BU attempts more treys and with good reason: the Bears’ 41.2% conversion rate for the season is first in the nation. Baylor is an elite team in scrambling for offensive rebounds and in creating opponent turnovers.

For the Bears, distance and mid-ange shooting are difference-makers. So is BU’s ability to flip possessions and score in transition while preventing the same from its opponents.

In their five-game march to the program’s first national final since 1948, the Bears have forced 15.4 turnovers per game while committing just 7.0. BU’s closest bracket game thus far was a nine-point win over Arkansas in the South Region finals.

Gonzaga vs. Baylor: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Gonzaga 81, Baylor 79

Money line (ML)

Baylor’s 2020-21 line includes not only an impressive climb out of a valley of COVID struggles but a tremendous record in games against good offenses.

In games against the best offenses in the Big 12 (West Virginia, Texas, Texas Tech, and Oklahoma) and the best in their non-conference action (Illinois, Houston, Villanova, Wisconsin), the Bears are a combined 9-0 against the spread.

BU’s style of play and ability to crank out plus-performances in the turnover exchange and distance game makes for a smack in the mouth against good offenses. A smack in the mouth at first, then a few solid jabs, and eventually an uppercut knockout punch. If that happens to Gonzaga, can the Bulldogs get up off the mat? Can they do that after Saturday’s emotional grinder against UCLA?

Yes, the ‘Zags are an elite team, a different ring foe than those that fell before against the Bears but there is no challenge-and-return-in-48 hours in GU’s results from this season.

BAYLOR (+165) is worth a play. The Bears aren’t worthy of being a favorite but the price here is enough.

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Against the spread (ATS)

Peg BEARS +4.5 (-110) as the strongest play in this game.

Baylor’s 3-point shooting and ability to steal a bucket or two make a mid-two-possession cushion enough to tag it as real value to leverage.

Over/Under (O/U)

At alternating times over the last 16 hours, this contest has looked like a solid neutral-venue Under and a score-dragged-upward-of-160 Over.

In those aforementioned Baylor games against top offenses, the Over went 6-3. Tag the Over 159.5 (-110) with a lean, but there isn’t enough ammo to warrant a play.

PASS.

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NCAA Tournament National Championship Game – How to watch Gonzaga vs. Baylor

How to watch the 2021 NCAA Tournament National Championship between Gonzaga and Baylor, with TV schedule, start time, odds and lines.

The stage is set for the 2021 NCAA Tournament National Championship Game. The Gonzaga Bulldogs (31-0) and Baylor Bears (27-2) will play Monday night at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis with a 9 p.m. ET tip-off; the game will be available on CBS. Below, SportsbookWire looks at the Gonzaga vs. Baylor odds and lines, with everything you need to know to watch the men’s college basketball National Championship Game.

Gonzaga entered the tournament as the No. 1 seed in the West Region and atop the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports. The Bulldogs beat Norfolk State (98-55), Oklahoma (87-71), Creighton (83-65), USC (85-66) and UCLA (93-90).

Saturday’s game against the Bruins went to overtime and was the first game the Zags won by just single digits since Dec. 2.

Baylor was the South Region’s No. 1 seed after finishing the regular season No. 3 in the Ferris Mower Coaches Poll. The Bears beat Hartford (79-55), Wisconsin (76-63), Villanova (62-51), Arkansas (81-72) and Houston (78-59) to reach the National Championship Game.

NCAA Tournament National Championship odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Sunday at 9:10 a.m. ET.

Money line: Gonzaga -200 (bet $200 to win $100) | Baylor +165 (bet $100 to win $165)
Against the spread/ATS: Gonzaga -4.5 (-110) | Baylor +4.5 (-110)
Over/Under: 159.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

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How to watch the NCAA Tournament National Championship

Who: Gonzaga Bulldogs (31-0) vs. Baylor Bears (27-2)

When: Monday, April 5. Tip-off will be at 9 p.m. ET.

Where: Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Broadcast: CBS

Where can I bet on Gonzaga vs. Baylor?

Get some action on the NCAA Tournament National Championship Game at BetMGM.

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Baylor at Gonzaga NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship Odds, Picks and Prediction

The national champion will be decided when the Gonzaga Bulldogs and Baylor Bears square off in the final game of the NCAA Tournament on Monday

The national champion will be decided when the Gonzaga Bulldogs (26-0) and Baylor Bears (22-2) square off in the final game of the NCAA Tournament on Monday at Lucas Oil Stadium, beginning at 9:00 PM ET. Bookmakers expect Gonzaga to win it all, naming the Bulldogs as 4.5-point favorites.

The Bulldogs were led by Drew Timme’s 25 points last time out in a 93-90 win against UCLA on Saturday. They failed to cover the spread as 14.5-point favorites, while the teams scored a combined 183 points to hit the over on the 147 over/under.

Jared Butler led the way for the Bears with a team-high 17 points last time out as they picked up a 78-59 win over Houston and covered the 5-point spread as favorites. The teams combined to hit the over on the 135 point total set for the matchup.

Baylor at Gonzaga: Betting odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list.
Lines last updated at 11:55 PM ET on April 3, 2021.

Money line: Baylor +165 (bet $100 to win $165) | Gonzaga -200 (bet $200 to win $100)
Against the spread/ATS: Baylor +4.5 (-110) | Gonzaga -4.5 (-110)
Over/Under: 160 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Gonzaga: Three things to know

Timme leads the Bulldogs in points and rebounds. He contributes 19.0 points per game while tacking on 7.2 rebounds.
The Bulldogs average 91.6 points per game, 26.3 more points than the 65.3 the Bears give up.
When Gonzaga puts up more than 65.3 points, it is 31-0 overall and 16-0-2 against the spread.

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Baylor: Three things to know

Butler leads the Bears in scoring, averaging 16.5 points per game. Butler leads the squad with a team-high 2.5 made three-pointers per game.
The Bears put up an average of 82.8 points per game, 13.6 more points than the 69.2 the Bulldogs give up.
Baylor has put together a 14-0-1 ATS record and a 24-1 overall record in games where it scores more than 69.2 points.

Baylor at Gonzaga: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Gonzaga 80, Baylor 74

Money line

The model and MGM are in agreement that the Gonzaga Bulldogs are favored.

Against the spread (ATS)

The MGM line for this game has the Bulldogs favored by 4.5, while the model predicts they’ll win by slightly more (5.6 points).

Over/Under (O/U)

The MGM point total for this matchup is just 5.9 points higher than the model projection.

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UCLA at Gonzaga NCAA Tournament Final Four Odds, Picks and Prediction

The Gonzaga Bulldogs and UCLA Bruins will meet on Saturday for a spot in the NCAA Tournament National Championship game.

The Gonzaga Bulldogs and UCLA Bruins will meet on Saturday for a spot in the NCAA Tournament National Championship game. Gonzaga is a 14-point favorite to win this Final Four matchup, which tips off at 8:34 PM ET at Lucas Oil Stadium (airing on CBS).

The Bulldogs were led by 23 points from Drew Timme in an 85-66 win against USC on Tuesday. They covered the spread in the contest and the teams combined to go under the 152-point over/under.

Johnny Juzang led the way for the Bruins with a team-high 28 points last time out as they picked up a 51-49 win over Michigan and covered the 6.5-point spread as underdogs. The teams combined to go under the 137 point total set for the matchup.

UCLA at Gonzaga: Betting odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list.
Lines last updated at 1:40 PM ET on April 3, 2021.

Money line: UCLA +750 (bet $100 to win $750) | Gonzaga -1200 (bet $1200 to win $100)
Against the spread/ATS: UCLA +14 (-110) | Gonzaga -14 (-110)
Over/Under: 146.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Gonzaga: Three things to know

The Bulldogs points and rebounds leader is Timme. He contributes 19.0 points per game and pulls down 7.2 rebounds. Corey Kispert is the top three-point shooter for the team, connecting on 2.9 per game.
The 91.6 points per game the Bulldogs average are 24 more points than the Bruins give up (67.6).
Gonzaga is 16-0-2 against the spread and 30-0 overall when scoring more than 67.6 points.

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UCLA: Three things to know

Juzang leads the Bruins scoring 15.5 points per game. Juzang leads the squad with a team-high 2.0 made three-pointers per game.
The Bruins’ 72.9 points per game are just 4.4 more points than the 68.5 the Bulldogs give up.
When it scores more than 68.5 points, UCLA is 12-0 against the spread and 16-5 overall.

UCLA at Gonzaga: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Gonzaga 82, UCLA 68

Money line

BetMGM and the model both have the Gonzaga Bulldogs as the favorite in this matchup.

Against the spread (ATS)

The spread for this game suggested by the model (13.3 points) is slightly less than the 14-point edge MGM gives to the Bulldogs, though the data still has them as the favorite.

Over/Under (O/U)

In this matchup, the model projects a total (150.3 points) slightly higher than the MGM over/under (146.5 points).

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Houston at Baylor NCAA Tournament Final Four Odds, Picks and Prediction

The Baylor Bears and Houston Cougars take the court in the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday with a chance to play in the championship game on the line

The Baylor Bears and Houston Cougars take the court in the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament on Saturday with a chance to play in the championship game on the line. Bookmakers have installed Baylor as 5.5-point favorites for the contest, at which begins at a time to be announced (airing on CBS).

In their last game, the Bears picked up a 81-72 win over Arkansas and covered the 8-point spread they were favored by. The teams went over the 147.5 point total set by oddsmakers. MaCio Teague put up a team-high 22 points in the victory on Monday.

Marcus Sasser led the way for the Cougars with a team-high 20 points last time out as they picked up a 67-61 win over Oregon State and failed to cover the 8-point spread as favorites. The teams combined to hit the under on the 130 point total set for the matchup.

Houston at Baylor: Betting odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list.
Lines last updated at 1 PM ET on April 3, 2021.

Money line: Houston +190 (bet $100 to win $190) | Baylor -225 (bet $225 to win $100)
Against the spread/ATS: Houston +5.5 (-110) | Baylor -5.5 (-110)
Over/Under: 135 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Baylor: Three things to know

The Bears scoring leader is Jared Butler, who contributes 16.5 points per game. Butler is the top three-point shooter for the team, hitting 2.5 per game.
The Bears record 25.4 more points per game (83) than the Cougars give up (57.6).
Baylor has a 16-0-1 record against the spread and a 26-2 record overall when putting up more than 57.6 points.

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Houston: Three things to know

Quentin Grimes leads the Cougars in scoring, averaging 18.0 points per game. Grimes paces the squad with a team-high 3.4 made three-pointers per game.
The Cougars’ 76.6 points per game are 11.1 more points than the 65.5 the Bears give up to opponents.
Houston is 24-1 overall and 17-0 against the spread in games where it scores more than 65.5 points.

Houston at Baylor: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Houston 71, Baylor 70

Money line

The model favors the Cougars to win matchup, disagreeing with BetMGM’s money line favorite.

Against the spread (ATS)

The data strongly suggests betting on the Cougars in this one. The model favors them while MGM has the Bears favored and the difference between the two is 6.5 points.

Over/Under (O/U)

The MGM point total for this game is just 6.0 points lower than the model projection.

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March Madness: Baylor vs. Houston odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Friday’s Baylor Bears vs. Houston Cougars odds and lines, with March Madness Final Four picks and predictions.

The No. 1-seed Baylor Bears (26-2) tangle with the No. 2 Houston Cougars (28-3) Saturday in the Final Four’s first semifinal. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:14 p.m. ET at Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium. Below, we analyze the Baylor-Houston odds and lines, with March Madness NCAA Tournament picks and predictions.

Baylor has defeated Hartford, Wisconsin, Villanova and Arkansas to reach the Final Four. The Bears’ win over Arkansas in the Elite Eight was a technical knockout, with BU leading wire-to-wire and keeping a stranglehold on a multi-possession lead almost the whole way.

Tournament time has brought out the best of the Bears in two key facets of the game: Baylor is taking better care of the ball (6.8 turnovers per game) and playing improved defense (43.1% field-goal percentage allowed) compared to some relative struggles in February and early-March.

Houston has survived two scares in the tournament with late-game slides against Rutgers and Oregon State. Strong rebounding performances, good passing, and winning turnover battles have helped the Cougars overcome iffy shooting. UH is shooting just 38.8% from the floor for the tournament.

Baylor vs. Houston: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 1:25 p.m. ET.

Money line: Baylor -225 (bet $225 to win $100) | Houston +190 (bet $100 to win $190)
Against the spread/ATS: Baylor -5.5 (-110) | Houston +5.5 (-110)
Over/Under: 135 (O: -110 | U: -110)

March Madness betting promotions

Current March Madness offers from BetMGM Sportsbook:

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Baylor vs. Houston: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Baylor 70, Houston 68

Money line (ML)

The Lone Star State matchup figures to be closer than the way the odds lay. Its been a bumpy road for Houston, but the reason the Cougars prevail without shooting lights out is what makes them so dangerous as a spoiler. UH can shoot under 40% in a game but still win because the Cougars do everything else — a ton of little things — at a high level.

The Cougars ride momentum and confidence into this game, and the few days of rest possibly come as a reset to their shooting woes. Houston does two things well that figure to give the Bears fits — it hits the offensive glass hard and can get out in transition and bunch some points together on turnovers.

Maybe turnovers haven’t been a problem in recent bracket action for Baylor but the Bears haven’t played a defense like this either.

Houston can block shots, steal away possessions, and rebound its way to a National Championship.

Take the COUGARS (+190).

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Against the spread (ATS)

UH is 7-1 ATS in its last eight neutral-site games as an underdog. The Cougars are 11-2 ATS over their last 13 games overall as dogs.

Peg this one as a one-possession game with Baylor squeaking by or losing outright.

Take HOUSTON +5.5 (-110).

Over/Under (O/U)

Signals crop up on both sides of the O/U ledger and there’s just the slightest lean toward the Over 135 (-110). A PASS IS SUGGESTED.

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Alabama / Auburn / Florida / Georgia / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Tennessee / Texas / USC / Wisconsin

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March Madness: Gonzaga vs. UCLA odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Saturday’s Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. UCLA Bruins odds and lines, with March Madness Final Four picks and predictions.

The top-seeded Gonzaga Bulldogs (30-0) face the 11th-seeded UCLA Bruins (22-9) Saturday in the Final Four’s second semifinal. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:34 p.m. ET at Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium (on CBS). Below, we analyze the Gonzaga-UCLA odds and lines, with March Madness NCAA Tournament picks and predictions.

The Bulldogs are two wins shy of becoming the first undefeated champion since Bobby Knight’s 1976 Indiana Hoosiers. They are the third unbeaten team – joining 1991 UNLV and 2015 Kentucky – to make the Final Four since the tourney expanded to 64 teams in 1985.

Gonzaga, No. 1 in the Ferris Mowers Coaches Poll powered by USA TODAY Sports, is 1-1 all time in the Final Four and has never won a national title.

Behind sophomore F Drew Timme (21.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game), senior F Corey Kispert (17.3 PPG, 15-for-30 3-pointers), junior G Joel Ayayi (12.3 PPG, 7.8 RPG), and freshman G Jalen Suggs (12.3 PPG), the Zags outscored their four NCAA Tournament opponents by an average of 24.0 PPG.

UCLA barely made the tourney. The Bruins were one of the last teams in and had to play a First Four game, where they rallied late to eliminate Michigan State 86-80 in overtime.

The Bruins, who own a record-11 national titles but haven’t won since 1995, also needed OT in the Sweet 16 when they knocked out No. 2 seed Alabama 88-78. UCLA then upset top-seeded and 6.5-point favorite Michigan 51-49 to earn its first Final Four berth since 2008.

In their five tourney games, sophomore guards Johnny Juzang and Jaime Jaquez Jr. averaged 21.6 PPG and 14.2 PPG, respectively. Junior G Jules Bernard pulled down a team-high 7.0 RPG, and Juzang went 12-for-34 behind the 3-point arc.

The winner advances to Monday’s National Championship to face either top-seeded Baylor or No. 2 seed Houston, who play Saturday’s first game.

Gonzaga vs. UCLA: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 6:50 a.m. ET.

Money line: Gonzaga -1250 (bet $1,250 to win $100) | UCLA +750 (bet $100 to win $750)
Against the spread/ATS: Gonzaga -14 (-110) | UCLA +14 (-110)
Over/Under: 145.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

March Madness betting promotions

Current March Madness offers from BetMGM Sportsbook:

Bet $1 on any team’s money line, WIN $100 (in free bets) if ANY team hits a 3-pointer that day. Bet now!

RISK-FREE FIRST BET, up to $600! Bet now!

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Gonzaga vs. UCLA: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Gonzaga 84, UCLA 64

Money line (ML)

AVOID. Gonzaga will win, but -1250 is way too expensive.

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Against the spread (ATS)

GONZAGA -14 (-110) is the STRONGEST PLAY – 1½ times your usual wager.

While UCLA covered the spread in each of its tourney games – winning four as an underdog – and held opponents to 63.2 PPG, it’s hard to bet against Gonzaga.

The Zags covered all four of their tourney games and, even more impressive, won their last 27 games by double digits, which is a Division I-record.

ATS records: Gonzaga 16-12-2 | UCLA 17-14

Over/Under (O/U)

Back the OVER 145.5 (-110) with a HALF-UNIT play.

Toss out the “easy” 98-55 first-round rout of No. 16 Norfolk State and Gonzaga still averaged 85.0 PPG in its next three NCAA victories (against Oklahoma, Creighton and USC).

The reason for the half-unit wager is because of UCLA’s suffocating defense, which held its tourney opponents to 63.2 PPG. Facing Gonzaga should be a whole different story, however.

O/U records: Gonzaga 15-15 | UCLA 17-14

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JOHNNY PARLAY’S RECORD	W-L	SP	ROI
College hoops since Jan. 1	78-68-1	36-36	+3.9575
2021 record (all sports)	98-86-1	48-41	+8.925
–SP: Strongest plays; ROI*: Return on investment

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UCLA at Michigan NCAA Tournament Elite 8 Odds, Picks and Prediction

The top-seeded Michigan Wolverines (20-4) and the No. 11 UCLA Bruins (17-9) will compete for a spot in the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament on Tuesday.

The top-seeded Michigan Wolverines (20-4) and the No. 11 UCLA Bruins (17-9) will compete for a spot in the Final Four of the NCAA Tournament on Tuesday. Michigan is favored by 7.5 points in the East Region bracket final, which tips off about 9:57 PM ET.

In their last game, the Wolverines picked up a 76-58 win over Florida State and covered the 2-point spread. The teams went under the 140.5 point total set by sportsbooks. Hunter Dickinson put up a team-high 14 points in the victory on Sunday.

Jules Bernard led the way for the Bruins with a team-high 17 points last time out as they picked up a 88-78 win over Alabama and covered the 7-point spread as underdogs. The teams combined to go over the 144 point total set for the matchup.

UCLA at Michigan: Betting odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list.
Lines last updated at 6 PM ET on March 30, 2021.

Money line: UCLA +240 (bet $100 to win $240) | Michigan -300 (bet $300 to win $100)
Against the spread/ATS: UCLA +6.5 (-110) | Michigan -6.5 (-110)
Over/Under: 136 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Michigan: Three things to know

Dickinson leads the Wolverines in scoring (14.2 points per game) and rebounding (7.6 rebounds per game). Isaiah Livers leads the squad with a team-high 2.2 made three-pointers per game.
The 76.8 points per game the Wolverines put up are 8.5 more points than the Bruins allow (68.3).
Michigan has an 18-0 record against the spread and a 21-0 record overall when putting up more than 68.3 points.

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UCLA: Three things to know

Johnny Juzang leads the Bruins scoring 15.0 points per game. Juzang paces the squad with a team-high 2.0 made three-pointers per game.
The Bruins score eight more points per game (73.6) than the Wolverines allow (65.6).
UCLA has put together a 13-0 ATS record and a 17-5 overall record in games where it scores more than 65.6 points.

UCLA at Michigan: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Michigan 74, UCLA 68

Money line

The Michigan Wolverines are the favorites to win this game according to both the model and BetMGM’s money line.

Against the spread (ATS)

The model favors the Wolverines by 6 points, just Under the 6.5-point spread set by BetMGM.

Over/Under (O/U)

The BetMGM point total for this game is just 6 points lower than the model projection.

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Additional college sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:

Alabama / Auburn / Florida / Georgia / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Penn State / Tennessee / Texas / USC / Wisconsin

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USC at Gonzaga NCAA Tournament Elite 8 Odds, Picks and Prediction

An Elite 8 battle features the No. 1 seed Gonzaga Bulldogs (26-0) and the No. 6 seed USC Trojans (22-7) squaring off with a spot in the Final Four on the line

An Elite 8 battle features the No. 1 seed Gonzaga Bulldogs (26-0) and the No. 6 seed USC Trojans (22-7) squaring off with a spot in the Final Four on the line on Tuesday at Lucas Oil Stadium. Gonzaga is a 8.5-point favorite in the NCAA Tournament West Region bracket final, which begins at 7:15 PM ET on TBS.

In their last game, the Bulldogs picked up a 83-65 win over Creighton and covered the 12.5-point spread they were favored by . The teams hit the under on the 159 point total set by oddsmakers. Drew Timme racked up a team-high 22 points in the victory on Sunday.

Isaiah White led the way for the Trojans with a team-high 22 points last time out as they picked up a 82-68 win over Oregon and covered the 2-point spread as favorites. The teams combined to go over the 139 point total set for the matchup.

USC at Gonzaga: Betting odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list.
Lines last updated at 6 PM ET on March 30, 2021.

Money line: USC +333 (bet $100 to win $333) | Gonzaga -450 (bet $450 to win $100)
Against the spread/ATS: USC +8.5 (-110) | Gonzaga -8.5 (-110)
Over/Under: 152 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Gonzaga: Three things to know

The Bulldogs scoring leader is Corey Kispert, who contributes 19.0 points per game. Kispert is the top three-point shooter for the team, knocking down 2.9 per game.
The Bulldogs put up 26.9 more points per game (91.8) than the Trojans give up (64.9).
Gonzaga is 29-0 overall and 15-0-2 against the spread when scoring more than 64.9 points.

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USC: Three things to know

Evan Mobley leads the Trojans in points and rebounds. He scores 16.3 points per game while also adding 8.8 rebounds.
The Trojans put up an average of 74.9 points per game, 6.3 more points than the 68.6 the Bulldogs give up to opponents.
In games when it scores more than 68.6 points, USC is 16-0-1 against the spread and 20-2 overall.

USC at Gonzaga: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Gonzaga 79, USC 71

Money line

BetMGM and the model both agree that the Gonzaga Bulldogs are the money line favorite in this game.

Against the spread (ATS)

The line for this game set by BetMGM and the model’s prediction are essentially the same (within 0.5 points of each other).

Over/Under (O/U)

The model predicts a total 2 points lower than the one set by BetMGM for this matchup.

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Additional college sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:

Alabama / Auburn / Florida / Georgia / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Penn State / Tennessee / Texas / USC / Wisconsin

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.