Saint Mary's vs. UCLA Prediction and Odds for Second Round of NCAA Tournament
By Reed Wallach
Saint Mary's looked the part of a Final Four threat in a blowout win over Indiana in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, winning 82-53 to advance to face UCLA.
The Bruins escaped the first round by beating Akron in the final seconds behind the heroics of Tyger Campbell, who scored eight points in the final two minutes to hold off the No. 13 seed Zips.
Now the two methodical, yet efficient offenses meet for the right to go to the Sweet 16. Who has the edge? Let's check out the odds from WynnBET Sportsbookf and the statistical profile of each team before making a best bet:
Saint Mary's vs. UCLA Odds, Spread and Total
Spread:
- Saint Mary's: +2.5 (-110)
- UCLA: -2.5 (-110)
Moneyline:
- Saint Mary's: +125
- UCLA: -150
Total: 126 (Over -110/Under -110)
Saint Mary's vs. UCLA Analysis
Saint Mary's
- Regular Season Record: 25-7
- ATS Record:18-11-1
- Over/Under Record: 15-16
- SoS: 49th
- Adjusted Offensive Efficiency: 109.7
- Defensive Efficiency: 89.9
- eFG%: 52.6%
- FT%: 76.7%
- 3PT%: 35.1%
- Last Year’s Tournament Result: First
- Odds to win National Championship: +7500
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: National Semi-Final
- Odds to win National Championship: +2000
Saint Mary's vs. UCLA Prediction and Pick
I like Saint Mary's here at over a bucket. Both offenses are slow and like to execute in the half court, but I trust Randy Bennett's packline defense, who is a terror to prepare for on short notice.
The Gaels are going to force the Bruins to operate in isolation sets and can lull the Bruins into inefficient jumpers. Sure, Johnny Juzang and Jaime Jacquez can hit those, but I trust the Gaels defense that is top 10 in adjusted defensive efficiency to contest well and limit them to one shot (St. Mary's is third in defensive rebounding rate).
UCLA struggled against Akron, and in a tight contest with limited possessions I'd take this down to +2.
PICK: Saint Mary's +2.5, play to +2
You can find all of Reed's bets HERE!
Follow BetSided's March Madness Hub throughout the entirety of the NCAA men's and women's tournaments for full betting previews and picks for every game, updated betting odds , futures for the Final Four and national championship, insights, trends, videos, podcasts and more!