Abilene Christian Wildcats betting odds line spread pick predictions best bets

March Madness: UCLA vs. Abilene Christian odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Monday’s Abliene Christian Wildcats vs. UCLA Bruins odds and lines, with March Madness Round 2 picks and predictions.

The 11-seed UCLA Bruins (19-9) take on the 14-seed Abilene Christian Wildcats (24-4) Monday in the second round of the East Regional at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Tip-off is set for 5:15 p.m. ET and the game is airing on TBS. Below, we analyze the Abilene Christian-UCLA odds and lines, with March Madness NCAA Tournament picks and predictions.

UCLA squeaked by Michigan State in a First Four overtime game Thursday and then cruised in a 73-62 win over BYU Saturday.

The Bruins are a slow-tempo five, but they run an efficient offense and have been shooting the ball well of late (49.4% field-goal mark since Feb. 18).

UCLA G Johnny Juzang has come on strong in the tournament; the 6-foot-6 talent has scored 50 points over UCLA’s two bracket games.

Abilene Christian upset Texas, 53-52, on Saturday. The Wildcats went into the tournament with a head of steam and on a five-game win streak.

Against the Longhorns, ACU extended that streak by forcing 22 turnovers and battling back from a nine-point second-half deficit.

UCLA vs Abilene Christian: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Sunday at 3:14 p.m. ET.

Money line: UCLA -200 (bet $200 to win $100) | Abilene Christian +165 (bet $100 to win $165)
Against the spread/ATS: UCLA -4.5 (-110) | Abilene Christian +4.5 (-110)
Over/Under: 133 (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!

Offers available in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA and WV. New customer offers, terms and conditions apply.

UCLA vs Abilene Christian: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

UCLA 70, Abilene Christian 64

Money line (ML)

UCLA has been trending the right way on the offensive glass, and that spells trouble for the Wildcats.

The Bruins also tend to fare well when getting a healthy dose of untimed and uncontested 15-footers; ACU does not rank well in free-throw avoidance. The Wildcats also don’t pose enough of a threat in the paint.

Peg the Bruins as a near-70% proposition in this spot. They are a lean at the current prices but hold out for a UCLA (-185) money line or PASS.

Play our new, free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

Against the spread (ATS)

Abilene getting steals and transition buckets is a concern, but the way the Bruins hung onto a three-score lead for most of the second half against BYU is compelling.

UCLA fits as a team whose late-season slide had them undervalued. BACK THE BRUINS -4.5 (-110).

Over/Under (O/U)

The Under is 5-1 in UCLA’s last six games against teams playing winning at least 60% of their games. But this tag appears to account for the play styles and the bracket-action suppression of points in general.

STEER CLEAR.

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.

Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

More college sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:

Alabama / Auburn / Florida / Georgia / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / 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. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1667]

Abilene Christian at UCLA NCAA Tournament Second Round Odds, Picks and Prediction

The No. 11 seed UCLA Bruins (17-9) are set to take on the No. 14 seed Abilene Christian Wildcats (23-4) with a Sweet 16 berth in the East Region of the bracket on the line on Monday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

On Saturday, the Bruins faced BYU and emerged victorious, 73-62. The Bruins covered the spread as 3.5-point underdogs and the teams combined to go under the 138.5 point total.

Last time out, Joe Pleasant scored 11 points as the Wildcats earned a 53-52 win against Texas on Saturday. The teams combined to score 105 points to hit the under on the 139 point total by bookmakers, while the Wildcats were 8.5-point underdogs and covered the spread.

Abilene Christian at UCLA: Betting odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list.
Lines last updated at 3:25 AM ET on March 21, 2021.

Money line: Abilene Christian +180 (bet $100 to win $180) | UCLA -225 (bet $225 to win $100)
Against the spread/ATS: Abilene Christian +5 (-110) | UCLA -5 (-110)
Over/Under: 133 (O: -110 | U: -110)

UCLA: Three things to know

Johnny Juzang leads the Bruins scoring 15.0 points per game. Juzang leads the squad with a team-high 2.0 made three-pointers per game.
The Bruins score 13.1 more points per game (73.3) than the Wildcats give up (60.2).
UCLA has an 18-7 record overall and a 13-0 record against the spread when putting up more than 60.2 points.

Special College Basketball Betting Promotion!

Risk-free first bet up to $600! Promotion available in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA and WV.

Place your legal, online sports bets at BetMGM Sportsbook! Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

Abilene Christian: Three things to know

Kolton Kohl leads the Wildcats in scoring, averaging 12.0 points per game. Makhi Morris paces the squad with a team-high 1.0 made three-pointer per game.
The Wildcats score 8.1 more points per game (76.8) than the Bruins give up to opponents (68.7).
Abilene Christian is 21-2 overall and 15-0 against the spread in games where it scores more than 68.7 points.

Abilene Christian at UCLA: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

UCLA 73, Abilene Christian 66

Money line

The model and BetMGM both agree that the UCLA Bruins are the money line favorite in this game.

Against the spread (ATS)

Both MGM and the model expect the Bruins to walk away with the win, but the model spread (6.9) is 1.9 points further in their direction.

Over/Under (O/U)

In this matchup, the model projects a total (139.3 points) slightly higher than the MGM over/under (133 points).

Want some action on this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Additional college sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:

Alabama / Auburn / Florida / Georgia / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / 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.

March Madness: Texas vs. Abilene Christian odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Saturday’s Texas Longhorns vs. Abilene Christian Wildcats odds and lines, with March Madness Round 1 picks and predictions.

The third-seeded Texas Longhorns (19-7) face the 14th-seeded Abilene Christian Wildcats (23-4) Saturday. Tip-off is set for 9:50 p.m. ET at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Below, we analyze the Texas-Abilene Christian odds and lines, with March Madness NCAA Tournament picks and predictions.

Texas enters the NCAA Tournament having won its final five games. The Longhorns finished third in the Big 12 regular-season standings. Three players averaged double digits in scoring, led by junior G Andrew Jones and his 14.6 points per game. Texas also led the Big 12 in rebounding.

Abilene Christian won 12 of its final 13 games to make the NCAA tourney, doing so with defense and ball movement. Allowing just 60.1 points per game, the Wildcats were seventh in the nation in scoring defense. They were also third in steals and fifth in assists per game.

Texas vs. Abilene Christian: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 6:10 a.m. ET.

Money line: Texas -450 (bet $450 to win $100) | Abilene Christian +350 (bet $100 to win $350)
Against the spread/ATS: Texas -9 (-110) | Abilene Christian +9 (-110)
Over/Under: 139.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

PLAY: USA TODAY March Madness Bracket Game

March Madness betting promotions

Current March Madness offers from BetMGM Sportsbook:

Bet $10 on the first round, RECEIVE A $10 FREE BET FOR EACH GAME PLAYED that day of the opening round. Bet now!

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

Offers available in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA and WV. New customer offers, terms and conditions apply.

Texas vs. Abilene Christian: Odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Texas 77, Abilene Christian 66

Money line (ML)

As a 14 seed, there isn’t much of a chance historically for the Wildcats to upset the Longhorns. No. 14 seeds are 21-119 all-time against 3 seeds with the last upset being Stephen F. Austin shocking West Virginia in 2016. Texas and Abilene Christian were each 5-0 at neutral sites this season. However, with a -450 money line for Texas, it isn’t worth the risk. PASS.

Play our new, free daily Pick’em Challenge and win! Play now!

Against the spread (ATS)

This line isn’t as big as it could be. Texas struggled against the spread this season, going 12-13-1 ATS, while the Wildcats were 17-6 ATS. Abilene Christian went 7-1 ATS in its last eight games and Texas has covered the spread in their last five.

The difference in competition in the two conferences comes into play here. Texas will be in control for most of the game. The Wildcats will compete and won’t get blown out, but they won’t keep it close enough for a cover. Take TEXAS -9 (-110).

Over/Under (O/U)

Both teams tend to go Over in their games. Abilene Christian has played Over in 11 of its last 13 games. Texas has gone 14-5 O/U in its last 19 and is 5-0 O/U in its last five as a favorite. Take OVER 139.5 POINTS (-110).

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.

Follow Jess Root on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

More college sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:

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

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1667]

Texas vs. Abilene Christian odds: Longhorns favored in March Madness Round 1

Previewing Saturday’s Texas vs. Abilene Christian odds and lines for their March Madness Round 1 matchup.

The Abilene Christian Wildcats (23-4) take on the Texas Longhorns (19-7) in an NCAA East Region First Round game Saturday night with a 9:50 p.m. ET tip-off at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Below, we look at the early March Madness Round 1 Texas-Abilene Christian odds and lines. Will one of these teams end up as this year’s National Champion? Don’t forget to check out all of the teams’ March Madness odds.

Abilene Christian — the No. 14 seed in the East — won 12 of its last 13 games and enters the national tournament as champions of the Southland Conference. The Wildcat starting lineup features three players under 6-foot-1, but ACU makes up for its lack of size with a tenacious defense.

The Wildcats have held opponents to just 60.5 points per game (seventh NCAA-I). ACU is adept at turning steals into breakaway buckets at the other end.

The Wildcats gave South Region sixth-seeded Texas Tech nearly everything it could handle in a Dec. 9 game in Lubbock, Texas. Abilene Christian led that game by one point with under 10 minutes remaining before falling 51-44.

PLAY in the USA TODAY Sports’ bracket sweepstakes! Printable brackets. Private groups. Prizes. And mobile users can play USA TODAY Sports’ Couchketball virtual hoops challenge – the interactive basketball game where your skills determine the outcome!

The third-seeded Longhorns won the Big 12 Tournament after going 11-6 in conference play. Texas has come on lately after enduring some shooting woes in February. UT is 5-0 since March 2; all five games were on the road or on neutral courts. Texas is 5-0 at neutral sites this season.

Texas hasn’t won a first-round game since 2015. Six-foot-10 F Jericho Sims scored 21 points in UT’s last game, a 91-86 win over Oklahoma State. Sims is one of six Longhorns averaging more than 8 points per game.

Texas vs. Abilene Christian: Odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. ET.

Money line: Texas -450 (bet $450 to win $100) | Abilene Christian +333 (bet $100 to win $333)
Against the spread/ATS: Texas -8.5 (-110) | Abilene Christian +8.5 (-110)
Over/Under: 139.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

March Madness Betting promotions

Bet $10 on the first round, RECEIVE A $10 FREE BET FOR EACH GAME PLAYED that day of the opening round. Promo available in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA and WV. New customer offer, terms and conditions apply. Place all of your legal, online sports bets at BetMGM Sportsbook. Bet now!

Bet $1 on any team’s money line, WIN $100 (in free bets) if ANY team hits a 3-pointer that day. Promo available in CO, IA, IN, MI, NJ, PA, TN, VA and WV. New customer offer, terms and conditions apply. Place all of your legal, online sports bets at BetMGM Sportsbook. Bet now!

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

More college sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:

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

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1667]

Abilene Christian at Virginia odds, picks and prediction

Previewing Saturday’s Abilene Christian Wildcats at Virginia Cavaliers sports betting odds and lines, with college football betting picks, tips and predictions.

The Abilene Christian Wildcats (1-4 overall, 0-1 Southland) and Virginia Cavaliers (3-4, 3-4 ACC) meet in Charlottesville, Va., for a 4 p.m. ET kickoff Saturday. Below, we analyze the Abilene Christian-Virginia college football betting odds and lines, with picks and predictions.

Abilene Christian at Virginia: Betting odds, spread and lines

Odds via BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 5:48 p.m. ET.

Money line: No line posted as of this publishing
Against the spread/ATS: Abilene Christian +39.5 (-110) | Virginia -39.5 (-110)
Over/Under: 61.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Abilene Christian at Virginia: Three things to know

The Wildcats were stunned at home last week by Angelo State, a Division II school, falling 34-21. It was a disappointment for Abilene Christian, coming on the heels of its first win Oct. 31 against Mercer, 20-17.
Abilene Christian has faced two FBS teams this season, losing 55-23 at Army on Oct. 3, and 17-13 at UTEP back on Sept. 19 in its season opener.
Virginia is riding a two-game win streak, and three-game cover run. The Cavaliers upended North Carolina as 7.5-point underdogs on Oct. 31 at Scott Stadium, winning 44-41, and eased past Louisville 31-17 last week to cover a 6.5-point number.

Get some action on this game or any other matchup with a legal, online bet at BetMGM in CO, IN, NJ, TN and WV. Risk-free first bet up to $500, paid in free bets. Terms and conditions apply. Bet now!

Abilene Christian at Virginia: Odds, betting lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Virginia 52, Abilene Christian 17

Money line (ML)

There was no money line posted as of this publishing, probably because of the lopsided spread. It wouldn’t be worth pursuing, anyway.

Against the spread (ATS)

ABILENE CHRISTIAN +39.5 (-110) is actually the play here, despite its loss to a Division II team last week. Despite the Wildcats’ lapses on defense, they still have a fairly potent offense. They ran with a good, six-win Stephen F. Austin team on Oct. 24, falling 35-32. In two games against FBS opponents, they’re averaging 18.0 PPG. They’ll do enough to cover, while the Cavs won’t run it up, either.

Over/Under (O/U)

OVER 61.5 (-115) is the best play in this entire game. Virginia has a fairly balanced offense and can score points. QB Brennan Armstrong is a decent dual-threat option, RB Wayne Taulapapa is a serviceable back averaging 4.6 yards per carry with four rushing scores and WR Billy Kemp IV is a solid slot receiver who leads the team. TE Tony Poljan has four touchdowns, tied for the team lead, but he is a question mark with an undisclosed injury. ACU just needs to hit its average, or slightly below it, and this one will go well Over.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

Additional college football coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:

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

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

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]