The UCLA Bruins and the Alabama Crimson Tide battle for a slot in the Elite Eight this Sunday. The Bruins have come a long way, as they have defied expectations so far, while the Crimson Tide will look to avoid becoming the latest victim of the team from the Pac-12. Check out our preview of this game below.
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Betting Preview for the UCLA Bruins vs Alabama Crimson Tide NCAA College Basketball Game on March 28 2021
Where: Hinkle Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN
When: Sunday, March 28, 2021, 7:15 PM ET
Line: UCLA Bruins (+6.5) vs. Alabama Crimson Tide (-6.5) – view all 2021 NCAAB lines
TV Broadcast: TBS
Betting on the UCLA Bruins (+6.5)
Record: 20-9 Overall / 13-6 Conference
Aside from having a cool name, Johnny Juzang has also been as cold as the other side of the pillow since the NCAA Tournament kicked off. Juzang has been sensational of late, and in his latest performance, he, together with UCLA’s defense, towed the Bruins to a 67-47 win over the upset-seeking Abilene Christian Wildcats. Juzang had 17 points in that game, while the Bruins held Abilene Christian to just 34.2 percent shooting from inside the arc and only 21.1 percent from deep. UCLA’s perimeter defense, more than Juzang’s heroics, will be the key to success for the team against Alabama, which likes to score a lot from long distance. In their last three games, all during the Big Dance, the Bruins have limited opponents to only 24.1 percent shooting from the 3-point area and 42 field goal percentage.
UCLA is 4-1 against the spread in its last five games overall, dating back to the Pac-12 tournament.
Betting on the Alabama Crimson Tide (-6.5)
Record: 26-6 Overall / 16-2 Conference
Surely, UCLA is riding a huge momentum after three successive wins in the tournament, but a case can be made about the Bruins’ path to the Sweet Sixteen being a weak one, even though they came all the way from the First Four. Alabama will be the Bruins’ first real test, and what a test this would be for Mick Cronin’s squad. Alabama packs a hot offense that is averaging 79.7 points per game and makes 10.7 3-points per game — fourth-best in the nation. UCLA has displayed great closeout defense lately, but that shouldn’t deter the Crimson Tide from doing what they have basically done all season long. Alabama gets 40.1 percent of its points from long distance, and shutting the Crimson Tide from there is going to be a whole lot easier said than done. And then there’s Alabama’s defense that’s third in the nation in adjusted defensive efficiency with just 87.3 points allowed per 100 possessions.
Alabama is 4-2 against the spread in its last six games overall.
Writer’s Prediction
Alabama wins, 77-69.
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