The No. 1-seeded Michigan Wolverines have advanced to the Elite Eight in half of the last eight NCAA Tournaments and look to take the next step against the 11th-seeded UCLA Bruins in Tuesday’s East Region final in Indianapolis. Two of the last three Elite Eight appearances have resulted in trips to the national title game for Michigan (23-4), the last coming in 2018. UCLA (21-6) is bidding to become only the sixth double-digit seed to advance to the Final Four and the first team to do so after entering the NCAAs on a four-game losing streak since Wake Forest in 1977.
Tip-off is at 9:57 p.m. at Lucas Oil Stadium. The winner advances to play either Gonzaga or USC in the Final Four of the 2021 NCAA Tournament. William Hill Sportsbook lists the Wolverines as 6.5-point favorites, while the over-under for total points scored is 136 in the latest Michigan vs. UCLA odds. Before finalizing any UCLA vs. Michigan picks, check out the March Madness college basketball predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every Division I college basketball game 10,000 times. Over the past four-plus years, the proprietary computer model has generated an impressive profit of $2,200 for $100 players on its top-rated college basketball picks against the spread. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Michigan vs. UCLA in the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament 2021. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Here are several college basketball odds and trends for UCLA vs. Michigan:
- Michigan vs. UCLA spread: Michigan -6.5
- Michigan vs. UCLA over-under: 136 points
- Michigan vs. UCLA money line: Michigan -320; UCLA +250
- MICH: The Wolverines have limited their last three opponents to 12-of-53 3-point shooting
- UCLA: The Bruins average 10.8 turnovers, the best mark in the Pac-12
Why Michigan can cover
Freshman Hunter Dickinson leads the Wolverines in scoring and rebounding and shows no signs of wilting under the pressure. The 7-foot-1 center is averaging 15.8 points and 7.3 rebounds while shooting 63.2 percent (24 of 38 from the floor) in the NCAA Tournament 2021. Sophomore guard Franz Wagner, one of three double-digit scorers for Michigan during the regular season, collected 13 points and 10 rebounds vs. Florida State, his first double-double since Jan. 12.
Four other players are averaging in double figures for the Wolverines during the NCAA Tournament. Senior guard Chaundee Brown Jr. continues to provide a spark off the bench, following up a 21-point performance against LSU by scoring 12 points on 5-of-6 shooting Sunday. Guard Eli Brooks and Brandon Johns Jr., who joined the starting unit following an injury to Isaiah Livers, are averaging 12.7 and 10.7 points, respectively, in the NCAAs.
Why UCLA can cover
The Bruins have five players averaging in double figures and outlasted Alabama despite subpar shooting performances from two of their top scorers. Guards Johnny Juzang (team-best 15.0 points per game) and Jules Bernard were a combined 9 of 33 from the floor Sunday, although Bernard knocked down four 3-pointers en route to 17 points. Juzang is averaging 20.0 points in the tourney and his 80 points mark the fourth-highest total in school history through four NCAA games.
Sophomore Jaime Jaquez Jr. has elevated his play in the NCAA Tournament, averaging 16.8 points and 6.8 rebounds, and is among many players taking turns stepping up for UCLA. Forward Cody Riley followed up a double-double (12 points, 12 rebounds) vs. Abilene Christian by scoring 10 points and blocking five shots against Alabama. David Singleton broke out of a shooting slump by burying 3 of 4 3-point attempts to finish with 15 points Sunday.
How to make UCLA vs. Michigan picks
The model is leaning over on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 146 points. It also says one side of the spread hits well over 50 percent of the time. You can only see the pick at SportsLine.
So who wins UCLA vs. Michigan? And which side of the spread hits well over 50 percent of the time? Visit SportsLine right now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the computer model that has crushed its college basketball picks.