The UCLA Bruins (17-9) face the Michigan State Spartans (15-12) in a First Four matchup between 11 seeds in the East Region of the NCAA Tournament Thursday. Tip-off is slated for 9:57 p.m. ET at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette, Ind., and will be aired on TBS. Below, we analyze the UCLA-Michigan State odds and lines, with March Madness NCAA Tournament picks and predictions.
UCLA finished fourth in the Pac-12 with a 13-6 conference record. Michigan State tied for eighth in the Big Ten at 9-11.
The Bruins-Spartans winner advances to a Saturday Round 1 matchup against sixth-seeded BYU (20-6) for a 9:40 p.m. ET tip at Indianapolis’ Hinkle Fieldhouse.
UCLA vs. Michigan State: Odds, spread and lines
Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:50 a.m. ET.
- Money line: UCLA +115 (bet $100 to win $115) | Michigan State -140 (bet $140 to win $100)
- Against the spread/ATS: UCLA +2 (-110) | Michigan State -2 (-110)
- Over/Under: 135 (O: -110 | U: -110)
PLAY: USA TODAY March Madness Bracket Game
UCLA vs. Michigan State: Three things to know
- The Bruins enter on a 4-game skid. They closed the regular season with losses at Colorado, at Oregon and in the finale to USC at home on a last-second shot. They were then eliminated by Oregon State 83-79 in their first game of the Pac-12 Tournament. The Bruins, who were 5.5-point favorites, blew a 16-point, first-half lead to the Beavers.
- In early February, Michigan State was 8-7 overall and 2-7 in the Big Ten, facing a real possibility of missing the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1997. The Spartans responded by closing out the regular season 7-4 with three wins over top-10 teams. The three upsets – of then-No. 4 Illinois, then-No. 5 Ohio State and then-No. 2 Michigan in the finale – likely earned Michigan State an NCAA invite. The Spartans lost their opening Big Ten Tournament game 68-57 as 2-point underdogs to Maryland.
- Sophomore G Johnny Juzang leads the Bruins with 14.0 points per game and sophomore G Jamie Jaquez Jr. averages team-highs in rebounds (6.0 RPB) and steals (1.2 SPG). Michigan State is led by junior F Aaron Henry (15.3 PPG, 3.5 APG, 1.3 SPG) and junior F Joey Hauser (team-high 5.7 RPG).
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UCLA vs. Michigan State: Odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Michigan State 69, UCLA 64
Money line (ML)
PASS on the Michigan State ML (-140) and focus on the spread below.
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Against the spread (ATS)
MICHIGAN STATE -2 (-110) is the STRONGEST PLAY – 1½ times your usual wager. While these Spartans aren’t your typical Spartans team, it’s hard to go against head coach Tom Izzo in March.
Betting against the Bruins has been profitable since mid-January. They went 3-11 ATS in their last 14 games.
The Spartans also have a slight advantage having played in Mackey Arena in the past as a Big Ten rival of Purdue.
ATS records: UCLA 12-14 | Michigan State 9-18
Over/Under (O/U)
UNDER 135 (-110) is worth a HALF-UNIT wager. Expect early jitters to affect both teams at the start, leading to a low-scoring first half.
O/U records: UCLA 15-11 | Michigan State 10-17
Want some action on this game or others? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
| JOHNNY PARLAY’S RECORD | W-L | SP | ROI |
| College hoops since Jan. 1 | 70-60-1 | 31-33 | +4.275 |
| 2021 record (all sports) | 90-74-1 | 43-36 | +14.6 |
| *–SP: Strongest plays; ROI: Return on investment | |||
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