UNC vs. UCLA Prediction and Odds for NCAA Tournament Sweet 16
A battle of blue bloods is set for the Sweet 16 of the 2022 NCAA Tournament when No. 8 UNC will face No. 4 UCLA.
UNC started off the tournament with a 95-63 rout of Marquette, and followed it up with an upset win over No. 1 Baylor, making the Bears the first No. 1 seed to lose in the tournament. Meanwhile, UCLA survived a scare against Akron in the opening round, but a late surge allowed them to coast by Saint Mary's in the Round of 32.
Here are the odds via WynnBET for the upcoming Sweet 16 matchup on Friday.
UNC vs. UCLA Odds, Spread, and Total
Spread:
- UNC +2.5 (-110)
- UCLA -2.5 (-110)
Moneyline:
- UNC +120
- UCLA -145
Total:
- 142.5 (Over -110/Under -110)
UNC vs. UCLA Analysis
UNC
- Regular Season Record: 24-9
- ATS Record:16-16-1
- Over/Under Record: 19-14
- SoS: 37th
- Adjusted Offensive Efficiency: 113.0
- Defensive Efficiency: 97.0
- eFG%: 52.1%
- FT%: 77.2%
- 3PT%: 36.2%
- Last Year’s Tournament Result: First Round (Lost to Wisconsin)
- Odds to win National Championship: +2000
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: +1200
UNC vs. UCLA Prediction and Pick
UNC's biggest weakness all season has been its defense, but that's exactly where they've thrived since the start of the NCAA Tournament. The Tarheels' opponent average shooting percentage this season is 42.8%, but over their last three games, that number has dropped to 37.4%, which proves just how dominant they've been in March Madness.
They should be able to keep that momentum up against a UCLA team that ranks 146th this season in effective field goal percentage. That is especially the case considering UCLA keeps the majority of its offense down low, ranking 48th in two point shot rate, which will play right into UNC's strength.
This game has all the makings of must-watch tv, but I give the edge to UNC so I'll gladly back them getting 2.5 points.
Pick: UNC +2.5 (-110)
Check out Iain's detailed 2022 college basketball betting record here.
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