Gonzaga Bulldogs vs. UCLA Bruins odds predictions pick betting line spread

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

Analyzing Thursday’s Gonzaga vs. UCLA odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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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March Madness Sweet 16 can’t-miss parlay: Bank on this 3-legger

Analyzing NCAA Tournament betting odds for the Sweet 16, with predictions and picks for the best parlay bet to make.

The Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament provides us with 8 games to bet, with 4 games scheduled for Thursday, and 4 more games Friday as we pare the field down to the Elite 8. There is still plenty of money to be made before a champion is crowned.

After looking at the Tipico Sportsbook’s NCAA Tournament odds and lines, here is a can’t-miss, Sweet 16 parlay among our expert college basketball picks and predictions.

Some of the traditional teams are no longer in the field, although there are still plenty of big names. We have a handful of upstart teams who might not be used to the bright lights of this all-important round. Of course, the national championship is wide-open this season, especially with some of the favorites having already fallen by the wayside.

See Top 25: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll

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NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 parlay

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Wednesday at 10:01 a.m. ET. All game times ET.

Leg 1: Gonzaga vs. UCLA OVER 145.5 (-110) – Thursday, 9:45 p.m. (CBS)

The Bulldogs and Bruins renew acquaintances in the NCAA Tournament. This is their 4th meeting in the Big Dance between these West Coast behemoths.

Playing the Over comes with some risk as Gonzaga has cashed the Under in 3 of its 4 postseason games. However, it’s not due to a lack of scoring as the Zags have posted 77 or more points in each of the games.

Defensively, Gonzaga had allowed 73 or fewer points in the first 3 postseason games, but TCU dropped 81 on the Bulldogs in Sunday’s second-round contest. As the competition has become greater, Gonzaga’s defense isn’t nearly as strong.

This is a Zags team which cashed the Over in each of the final 8 regular-season games.

UCLA has cashed the Over in both of its tournament games, averaging 77.0 PPG, while allowing 58.0 PPG. The total is obviously much higher against a Gonzaga team which ranked No. 1 in the nation in the regular season with 88.0 PPG, and 52.9% field-goal percentage, according to covers.com.

The Over is 5-2 in the last 7 games overall for the Bruins, and 14-5 in the last 19 games following a non-cover.

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Leg 2: Miami vs. Houston UNDER 138.5 (-115) – Friday, 7:15 p.m. (CBS)

Leg 3: MIAMI +7.5 (-115) vs. Houston

The Hurricanes have been impressive so far, topping Drake 63-56 in the opening round, before routing Indiana 85-69 as 1.5-point underdogs. The ACC regular-season champs have played great basketball in the last 2 months, going 11-2 straight-up (SU) and 8-5 against the spread (ATS) in the past 13 games dating back to Jan. 31.

It’s become a common theme for the ‘Canes in recent seasons as they are 5-1 ATS in the last 6 NCAA Tournament games. Their also 8-3 ATS in the last 11 games against teams with a winning overall record, too.

Houston saw star G Marcus Sasser (groin) aggravate his injury in the 1st-round win against Northern Kentucky. He made a decision to play against Auburn in the 2nd round, as it was a pain tolerance thing. Sasser was apparently fine, as he scored 22 points on 7-for-14 shooting, including 5-for-9 from behind the arc.

Despite that solid performance by Sasser, the Cougars still shot 42% (25-for-60) overall against the Tigers. It was good enough to win by 17, though, as UH plays great defense.

The Under is 6-1 in the previous 7 NCAA Tournament games for the ‘Canes, while going 7-3 in the last 10 neutral-site games. For Houston, the Under is 4-1 in the last 5 NCAA Tournament games, while going 7-3 in the last 10 neutral-site contests, too.

As such, I like Miami plus the points AND the Under, as 2 of the 3 legs in this parlay.

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Parlay payout: Bet $10 to profit $56.73 (ticket pays $66.73).

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Gonzaga vs. UCLA odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Tuesday’s Gonzaga vs. UCLA odds and lines, with college basketball expert picks, predictions and best bets.

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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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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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)

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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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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.

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