UCLA vs. Kentucky Pick
The featured game of tonight’s NCAA Tournament has No. 2 Kentucky taking on No. 3 UCLA in a battle of historic powers at 9:39PM ET.
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, Kentucky is the slight favorite in this game, as the Wildcats are getting odds of -1 point against the Bruins. The over/under total for the game is listed at 165.5 points. These two met this season, with UCLA getting a 97-92 win at Kentucky as an 11-point underdog. This game takes place in the South Region and will air on CBS from FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee.
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UCLA is coming off a 79-67 win over Cincinnati in the second round and it also beat Kent State, 97-80, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Bruins are now 31-4 on the season and 17-18 against the spread. They are putting up 90.2 points per game while allowing 75.2 on defense. TJ Leaf is leading the team with 16.2points and 8.2 rebounds per game while Lonzo Ball is adding 14.7 points, 6.1 rebounds and 7.6 assists per contest. UCLA has six players averaging double figures.
Kentucky is on an 11-game winning streak right now. The Wildcats are coming off a 65-62 win over Wichita State in the second round of the tournament. Kentucky is now 31-5 overall this season and 18-17-1 against the spread. UK is now averaging 85.2 points per game on offense while allowing 71.3 on defense. Malik Monk is leading this team with 20 points per game while Edrice Adebayo puts up 13.3 points and 8.1 rebounds per contest.
UCLA shot the ball pretty well in the first meeting with Kentucky, going 35-for-66 from the field and 10-for-23 from 3-point land. However, the Bruins still had 17 turnovers in the game. They were able to have six player score in double figures at Kentucky and that kind of balance is what will help them tonight as well. Kentucky has the talent, but the Wildcats haven’t had to play a real gauntlet of talent during this win streak. It has struggled against premiere teams like UCLA and Kansas, both of which were at home. I like the Bruins to edge this one out once again.
MARCH MADNESS PREDICTION: UCLA +1