Gonzaga vs. UCLA Pick: Sweet 16 Betting Predictions

by | Last updated Mar 22, 2023 | cbb

Gonzaga (28-5 SU 13-21 ATS) vs. UCLA (29-5 SU 20-13 ATS)
When: Thursday, March 23rd: 9:45 ET
Where: T-Mobile Arena Las Vegas, NV
TV: CBS
Point Spread: GU +1.5/UCLA -1.5 (Make TODAY the day you STOP overpaying for odds! Make -110 a thing of the past! Start saving big bucks by making the switch to -105 betting odds at BetAnySports!)
Total: 145.5
Money Line: Gonz +107/Cal-Los Angeles -130

The Gonzaga Bulldogs (28-5 SU, 13-21 ATS) and the UCLA Bruins (29-5 SU, 20-13 ATS) Sweet 16 game tips off on Thursday, March 23rd, at 9:45 PM ET at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. The point spread for this game has UCLA as a -2 spread favorite, with a total line of 145.5 points. Bettors interested in the money line can get the Gonzaga Bulldogs at +107, while the UCLA Bruins are offered up at -130.

Line Movement

The spread line opened at UCLA -1.5 then rose to -2.5 in the early betting then leveled out at -2. The total opened at 145 and hasn’t moved at most sportsbooks.

Last Game Info

Gonzaga is coming off an 84-81 win over TCU. However, they did not cover the spread in the game as a -4.5 point favorite. The combined 165 points finished above the 153 total line.

UCLA is coming off a 68-63 win over Northwestern. However, they did not cover the spread in the game as a -7.5 point favorite. The combined 131 points finished above the 126.5 total line.

Current Form

Gonzaga
Over their last five games, Gonzaga has a straight-up record of 5-0 while going 2-3 vs. the spread. Over this stretch, the Bulldogs’ offense averages 87.8 points per game while hitting 55.1% of their shots from the field. On the defensive end of the floor, they have allowed opponents to shoot 42.4% from the field while allowing 65.8 points per contest.

UCLA
In their previous five contests, UCLA is 4-1 straight-up and 3-1-1 vs. the spread. In these five games, they have a scoring average of 75.0 points per game on a shooting percentage of 42.2%. Defensively, they are allowing teams to hit 42.0% of their shots while giving up 64.0 points per game.

Average Power Rating Of Opponents Played

This season, the combined power rating of Gonzaga’s opponents comes in at 81.5. On the other side, UCLA’s combined opponent power rating sits at 83.8.

How Does Gonzaga Fare On Neutral Courts?

This season, the Bulldogs are 7-2 in games on neutral courts.

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How Does UCLA Fare On Neutral Courts?

On neutral courts, the Bruins put together a mark of 5-3 this season.

Offense vs. Defense

For the season, Gonzaga is averaging 87.8 points per game (3rd) while posting an overall field goal percentage of 52.7%. In today’s game, they will be matched up against a UCLA defense that has allowed an average of 60.3 points per contest. This year, opponents have hit 40.8% of their shots vs. UCLA. On the other side, the UCLA Bruins are coming into the game averaging 74.1 points per game on a shooting percentage of 45.1%. The Bruins will be facing a defensive unit allowing an average of 72.9 points per contest. So far, teams have hit 44.8% of their shots vs. the Bulldogs.

Three-Point Shooting

From beyond the arc, Gonzaga has a shooting percentage of 37.9% while ranking 335th in attempts per game. The Bulldogs will be facing a UCLA defense with a 3-point field goal shooting percentage allowed of 30.7%. UCLA enters the game having hit 35.2% of their looks from deep while averaging 6.67 made 3’s per game. On the other end, Gonzaga has allowed opponents to hit 37.1% of their shots from beyond the arc.

Injuries Of Note

Gonzaga

  • No Reported Injuries

UCLA

  • David Singleton (Questionable) Ankle
  • Jaylen Clark (Out) Achilles
  • Evan Manjikian (Out) Arm

Pick Against The Spread

The Bruins have proven that they can shut any typical team down, but the Zags aren’t a typical team. The Bulldogs finished No. 1 in scoring, effective FG%, and shooting percentage. Sure, they didn’t have the most demanding schedule, but they beat Michigan State and Alabama on neutral courts this season and come into this game playing arguably their best ball. Take Gonzaga +2.

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