It’s time to gear up for a matchup for the ages. This Friday, April 4, at 9 p.m. ET, the UConn Huskies (35-3) will take on the UCLA Bruins (34-2) with a national championship berth on the line.
Connecticut is no stranger to this stage. Led by perhaps the most outstanding player in college basketball, Paige Bueckers, the Huskies have rolled through their opponents en route to another appearance in the Final Four. Time will tell if Geno Auriemma can guide his team to a 12th national title.
The Bruins, on the other hand, are making their first Final Four appearance in program history. Standout center Lauren Betts has powered UCLA to Tampa Bay, averaging 23.0 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 3.5 blocks in the NCAA Tournament. While not a Cinderella, a championship appearance would be groundbreaking for the Bruins.
UConn vs UCLA Odds
- Spread: UConn -8.5 (-105) • UCLA +8.5 (-115)
- Total: Over 135.5 (-110) • Under 135.5 (-110)
- Moneyline: UConn (-410) • UCLA (+320)
Despite being a 2-seed, UConn is listed as an 8.5-point favorite, per the latest NCAAB odds. It’s a significant spread, making clear that oddsmakers firmly believe the Huskies are the better team in this matchup.
The total comes in at 135.5 points, which is a bit tougher to gauge. Both teams have stellar offenses — UConn ranks No. 1 in offensive efficiency — but the Huskies also lead the nation in defensive rating and points allowed per game.
UConn vs UCLA Prediction
UConn 71, UCLA 61
USC gave us the blueprint for defeating UCLA. The Trojans remain the only team to beat the Bruins this season. And while UConn doesn’t have Juju Watkins, it does have Paige Bueckers, who can play the role to a T.
The decorated guard has been at her very best in the NCAA Tournament, averaging 35.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 3.7 steals in her last three games (she wasn’t needed much in the opening round as the Huskies cruised to a 69-point win over Arkansas State).
UCLA’s Betts is a matchup nightmare at 6 feet 7 inches, but she and the Bruins are prone to turnovers, and UConn is among the best in the country at generating takeaways. By all means, Huskies star freshman Sarah Strong will have her hands full, but the same can be said of Betts on the other end of the floor.
Ultimately, it feels like UConn is too powerful, too well-rounded to fall here. I’ll entertain arguments in UCLA’s favor, but I can’t go away from Bueckers and the Huskies.
UConn vs UCLA Best Bets
UConn -8.5 (-105) vs UCLA
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
This is a massive spread for a Final Four game, so I understand the hesitancy to back such a substantial favorite. With that said, UConn’s peak appears higher than any other team in the nation. The losses were few and far between, and the wins — including an 87-58 victory at South Carolina — were as one-sided as ever.
The Huskies will need to be at their best to defeat the Bruins, but I have complete faith in Auriemma’s ability to prepare his team for this moment. They may not even need it. Bueckers and co. know exactly what they want, and they appear incredibly determined to go get it.
UCLA and coach Cori Close deserve plenty of respect for getting this far, but it’s the end of the road. Lock in UConn to cover with your best college basketball bet today.
Under 135.5 Points (-110)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
When Betts struggles, UCLA’s offense (generally) has trouble covering for her. She’s only shot under 50% from the field five times this season, with the Bruins going 3-2 and averaging 74.4 points in such games. In both losses, UCLA failed to score more than 67 points.
- Check out our Texas vs South Carolina Predictions for more March Madness betting tips.
This is the best defense the Bruins have come across, and I expect that to show. It could be close, but I lean toward the Under at 135.5 points.
