Don’t worry, we’ve got more basketball! A tough game to pick, as the 10th seeded Aggies of Utah State take on the 7th ranked UCLA Bruins. Both teams traveled east for this game as the two teams meet in Rupp Arena, and I think that might have an impact on this matchup.
Utah State finished 3rd in the Mountain West, losing in the Semifinals while the Bruins were 4th in the Big Ten, losing their first conference tournament game in the quarterfinals to the Wisconsin Badgers. Can Mick Cronin fire up his squad to make a run during the Big Dance? They’ve been shaky all year long but certainly have plenty of talent. Plus, as we know, the Mountain West completely forgets how to play basketball against Power 5 schools during the month of March.
Who will advance to the Round of 32 and face (likely) the two seeded Volunteers?
#10 Utah State Aggies vs #7 UCLA Bruins Round of 64
Sebastian Mack averages 10 points and 2 assists for UCLA
Matchup Information – Utah State vs UCLA
- Venue & Location: Rupp Arena (Lexington, KY)
- Date: Thursday, March 20th, 2025
- Tip Off: 9:25pm Eastern
- Broadcast: TNT
Betting Odds
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Spread
- Utah State +5.5 (-111)
- UCLA -5.5 (-109)
Money Line
- Utah State +205
- UCLA -245
Total
- Over 144.5 (-110)
- Under 144.5 (-110)
Will UCLA Travel Well in the Big Dance?
Kobe Johnson and UCLA take on Utah State tonight in the Big Dance
I have been preaching all year long, UCLA can not play away from the West Coast. They did not have any GOOD Big Ten wins this season, and it showed as they were blown away in the first conference tourney game. When UCLA faces decent competition, they crumble. And this is a bad draw for them.
Utah State should be favored in this game in my eyes. They do the little things right on both sides of the ball, push the pace, and they will dare the Bruins to keep up with them. Ultimately, I do not think UCLA has it in them. This team has been dealing with internal, motivational locker room issues all season long, and again, they suck outside of the West Coast.
In 9 games outside of the Pacific Time Zone this year, the Bruins went 2-7 SU and 3-6 ATS. They beat Indiana and Northwestern. Congrats, have a cookie. Their defense has fallen off the back half of the season, and I see them underestimating a VERY good Utah State team that is ready to change some people’s opinions of their conference in the Big Dance.
#10 Utah State Aggies vs #7 UCLA Bruins Best Bets
Back Utah State to take down UCLA tonight in the Round of 64
Utah State vs UCLA Prediction: Utah State Wins Outright, Over 144.5
Best Bets: Utah State +5.5 (-111) BetOnline
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have beans on the Aggies outright. This team should be favored, and I am completely out on UCLA.
The Bruins defense has been their strength all season, but they rank 285th in eFG% defense away from home, and at the turn of the calendar, they have not been the same. Utah State will push the pace and make the Bruins work every single possession. The Aggies are 14th overall in adjusted offensive efficiency, 20th in eFG%, 45th in offensive rebounds and 54th at getting to the free throw line. They also light it up from deep and do so very often.
Utah State is Top 100 in 3P Rate, shooting over 36% from deep as a team. UCLA struggles to guard the perimeter, letting their foes shoot over 35.5% from downtown while ranking Bottom 30 in 3P Rate defense. If the Aggies are shooting lights out from deep, which I think they do, this could get ugly fast.
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