The Gonzaga Bulldogs (30-5) battle the UCLA Bruins (31-5) Thursday in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. Tip from T-Mobile Arena is set for 9:45 p.m. ET (CBS). Let’s analyze Tipico Sportsbook’s lines around the Gonzaga vs. UCLA odds as we make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and best bets.
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The 3rd-seeded Bulldogs took down No. 6 TCU 84-81 Sunday, failing to cover a 4.5-point spread on a last-second 3 by the Horned Frogs. Gonzaga failed to cover its 1st-round matchup as well, beating Grand Canyon 82-70 as a 15.5-point favorite. It is 1-3 against the spread (ATS) in postseason play and 1-3 O/U as well.
The No. 2 seed UCLA is 3-1-1 ATS in the postseason. It beat No. 15 UNC Asheville 86-53 in the 1st round, covering as a 17.5-point favorite. It then failed to cover as a 7.5-point favorite against No. 7 Northwestern in a 68-63 win. The Bruins are led by G Jamie Jaquez Jr., who is averaging 17.5 points per game.
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Gonzaga vs. UCLA odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 12:54 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Gonzaga +100 (bet $100 to win $100) | UCLA -120 (bet $120 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Gonzaga +1.5 (-112) | UCLA -1.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 145.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Gonzaga vs. UCLA picks and predictions
Prediction
Gonzaga 73, UCLA 70
Moneyline
BET GONZAGA (+100).
The Bruins are beat up with both F David Singleton and F Adem Bona dealing with injuries. They are currently the 3rd- and 4th-leading scorers for UCLA in postseason play.
While it may not seem like it has an aggressive schedule, Gonzaga has taken down Alabama, Xavier and Michigan State this season — 3 of the remaining 16 teams. It beat a top Big 12 side in TCU as well in a game that felt more distant than the 3-point ending.
The Bruins didn’t have a great non-conference schedule, losing to Baylor and Illinois yet beating Kentucky and Maryland.
Gonzaga has the most efficient offense in the NCAA per Kenpom, and with the 12th-most difficult non-conference schedule, the veteran side should be able to come out on top. Back GONZAGA (+100).
Against the spread
PASS.
I would rather play Gonzaga to win outright given the difference in odds.
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Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 145.5 (-110).
UCLA plays at the 245th-slowest pace in the NCAA. Couple that with its No. 2 defense in the NCAA, and it should want this game to be played at a slower pace, the best way to take on the Bulldogs. UCLA is 3-2 O/U in postseason play while Gonzaga is 1-3 O/U.
The pace of this game should help dictate the total, and the presence of UCLA G Tyger Campbell should be a key reason why the Bulldogs struggle to play at an ultra-fast tempo. Given that, take the UNDER 145.5 (-110).
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