Akron vs. UCLA Prediction and Odds for NCAA Men's Tournament First Round
UCLA lost a heartbreaker to Arizona in the Pac-12 Championship Game, but the Bruins impressive season has earned them a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament's East Region. They'll face-off against the No. 13 Akron Zips in the first round, for the right to advance to the Round fo 32 to face the winner of Saint Mary's and Wyoming/Indiana.
Akron earned its spot in the NCAA Tournament by winning the MAC Championship, beating No. 1 seed Toledo in the semifinal and then handling Kent State with ease, beating them 75-55.
Here are the odds via WynnBET, as well as some information and trends, for this Round of 64 matchup.
Akron vs. UCLA Odds, Spread, and Total
Spread:
- Akron +13.5
- UCLA -13.5
Moneyline:
- Akron +750
- UCLA -1200
Total:
- 129 (Over -110/Under -110)
Akron vs. UCLA Betting Trends, Insights, and Analysis
Akron
- Regular Season Record: 24-9
- ATS Record: 18-14
- Over/Under Record: 18-14
- SoS: 183rd
- Adjusted Offensive Efficiency: 106.1
- Defensive Efficiency: 102.7
- eFG%: 52.8%
- FT%: 69.2%
- 3PT%: 35.6%
Last year's Tournament Result: N/A
Odds to win National Championship: +3000 (Field)
UCLA
- Overall Record: 25-7
- ATS Record:17-14-1
- Over/Under Record: 16-16
- SoS: 14th
- Adjusted Offensive Efficiency: 116.1
- Defensive Efficiency: 91.2
- eFG%: 50.6%
- FT%: 73.6%
- 3PT%: 35.1%
Last year's Tournament Result: Final Four (lost to Gonzaga)
Odds to win National Championship: +2500
Akron vs. UCLA Prediction and Pick
Despite the Pac-12 having the strongest overall performance of any conference last season, they are once again being underrated heading into this year's edition of March Madness, and I won't stand for it.
UCLA was slightly overshadowed by Arizona, but I think the Bruins are truly one of the best teams in the country.
In terms of covering the spread in their opening game against Akron, there's one specific stat that I look for when determining if a team is susceptible to losing as a big favorite in the first round. Luckily for the Bruins, they thrive in this stat, which is turnovers per possession. If a big underdog wants to win, they have to force turnovers, but that's going to be tough against a UCLA team that ranks fifth in the country in turnovers.
Furthermore, this Akron team is going to struggle to slow down an offense as talented as UCLA with a defense that ranks just 135th in defensive efficiency. Give me UCLA to cover this spread and advance to the Round of 32.
Pick: UCLA -13.5
Check out Iain's detailed 2022 college basketball betting record here.
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