The first full day of the 2023 NCAA Tournament concludes Thursday with a matchup of veteran-laden clubs in the West Region as No. 2 seeded UCLA takes on N0. 15-seeded UNC-Asheville. Tipoff is set for 10:05 p.m. ET from Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. The Bruins and Bulldogs are two of the most experienced clubs in the 2023 March Madness field and their results reflected this coveted luxury. The Bruins won the Pac-12 regular season by four games, while the Bulldogs did the same in the Big South before also winning the conference tournament. UCLA came up short 61-59 against Arizona in the Pac-12 Tournament championship game but had won its 12 previous contests.
The Bruins are 18-point favorites and the over/under for total points scored is 136 in the latest UNC Asheville vs. UCLA odds from Caesars Sportsbook. Before making any UCLA vs. UNC Asheville picks, be sure to check out the college basketball predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. The model enters the 2023 NCAA Tournament 79-53 on all-top rated college basketball picks this season, returning nearly $1,300 for $100 players. Anybody who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on UCLA vs. UNC Asheville and revealed its coveted picks and predictions for the NCAA Tournament 2023. You can head to SportsLine to see the picks. Here are several college basketball odds and trends for UCLA vs. UNC Asheville:
- UCLA vs. UNC Asheville point spread: UCLA -18
- UCLA vs. UNC Asheville over/under: 136 points
- UCLA vs. UNC Asheville money line: UCLA -2400, UNCA +1150
- UCLA: The Bruins are 7-2 against the spread in their past nine NCAA Tournament games.
- UNCA: The Bulldogs are 5-1 ATS in their last six games against opponents with winning records.
- UCLA vs. UNC Asheville picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why UCLA can cover
In this new era of big-money NIL deals and loose transfer criteria for student-athletes, it's more difficult than ever for programs to maintain a semblance of continuity, particularly for power programs that can now see their elite performers bolt for another program on a moment's notice. Most programs are happy to have their core intact for a couple of years, but UCLA has somehow maintained essentially the same core that led the program to its historic Final Four run two seasons ago. The players were recruited by Steve Alford, who is now at Nevada, but they proved to be a great first for the lunch-pail mentality of his successor, Mick Cronin.
Only Kentucky transfer Johnny Juzang departed the program with eligibility remaining. He departed for the pros and is now a member of the Utah Jazz after going undrafted last year. Jaime Jaquez Jr. was recently named Pac-12 Player of the Year behind averages of 17.3 points, 8.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per contest. Spark plug point guard Tyger Campbell was named to the all-conference first team and senior David Singleton, a sixth man who averages 9.1 points, is considered the team's emotional leader. All three players were instrumental in UCLA's 2021 Final Four run.
Why UNC Asheville can cover
The Bulldogs boast what has proven to be a dangerous combination for a lower-seeded team to make a Cinderella run in the NCAA Tournament. They have continuity and experience, as their starters have more than 500 games combined of college basketball experience.
UNC Asheville also boasts one of the most versatile players in the NCAA Tournament in Drew Pember, who was named the Big South Player of the Year. The 6-10 Tennessee transfer is averaging 21.2 points, 9.4 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. Moreover, the Bulldogs are dangerously efficient from beyond the arc. They rank No. 7 in the country, shooting 39% from 3-point range. Senior guard Tajion Jones leads the way with 98 triples and is shooting 45.6% from 3-point range.
How to make UNC Asheville vs. UCLA picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the point total, projecting the teams to combine for 144 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits almost 60% of the time. You can only see the model's picks at SportsLine.
So who wins UCLA vs. UNC Asheville? And which side of the spread hits almost 60% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its college basketball picks, and find out.
